Tuesday 29 December 2009

Red

Son No 1 took Junior out shopping just before Crimble and very kindly bought her some designer track suit bottoms. He and his brother have been trying to change her into a boy for years!! (Family joke) When she was way younger, the boys taught her many a rugby move, along with the footie stuff. She, in exchange, used to paint their toenails......practice, you see:o))) This particular beauty treatment, I am sure, has been erased from their memory. lol

Anyway, today she decides to wear the track suit bottoms, along with matching black GI Jane vest. Hair is in a ponytail..so she looks a right Lara Croft type!......except for the pink boottee slippers, red lipstick and nails:o) Atta girl!!

She has expensive taste. Has taken a liking to my Safari perfume. There's only a bit left, so she can have it:o) The bottle is lovely, too, she tells me. So it sits on her dressing table, along with a hundred or so beauty bits and bobs.

Aaaaaah.....one day she'll get fed up of the clutter and give it me back. lol

Sunday 27 December 2009

Trotting

We seem to be thawing out around here. Don't know what it's like elsewhere, though. We've stayed in, apart from Crimble Day when we went to dinner, which was lovely...at Son No 1's. Grandchild of Min was there. She's adorable. Very bright. Can count to six...in a roundabout way. You say one, she says two, you ask what comes next..and she says...six!!! lol

We managed to drag mother along to our Crimble get together, too. She didn't want to go...citing that she was too old for stuff like that and would be in the way. Still, she was the only one who got into the swing of things re dress code........flashing Christmas tree earrings!! lol

Junior is home now and happy with her lot. She was gifted another series of Charmed and has been watching it via my new top whack dvd player, given to me by Son no 2 and his other half. Bless xx

Bro's dog is still here. He's like a Scooby Doo type. Huge. Not one bit of malice in him, so the cats like him:o) He's taken a liking to my sofa, though:o)

Did anyone hear the screams? This week, I have managed to conk out 3 hoovers!!! What is it with them? lol Very odd and frustrating. Two are basically kaput. The other one, a Vax, hoovers for about a minute then conks out for half an hour, so living room takes about 2 hours to hoover! Carpets and me just don't go. lol

There were other screams, too!!

Bro is down for Crimble, too..with adult niece. They're staying in comfort at Mother's...and she's loving it. Fussing around them:o) This wasn't the intention, but there you go. Anyway, he brought food contribution down and packed them away here. He brought some meat down! Eeeew.

When we were little, we had to make do with the cheaper bits of meat. Mother used to make brawn...which Dad and everyone loved. Yuk.. It's basically meat in natural jelly and fat. But, we were poor and that's what there was to eat. So, he brought the 'ingredients' down...hoping that Mother would make him some. She will, of course do that. These ingredients have been in my fridge for 2 days...wrapped tightly in a carrier bag on the bottom shelf. What are they?......pigs trotters! EEEEEEEWWWWWW! They sell them at the local supermarket here and are, obviously, displayed in the meat chiller bit. They look just like chopped off hands! Yuk.

Niece wants to do something creative while she's here. So, might teach her how to crochet tomorrow:o) She wants wrist warmers:o) These javelin throwers!! She's gonna win the Olympics!!!!

Wednesday 23 December 2009

Snowing cats and dogs

Oh...Im SO BEHIND on EVERYTHING!!

First thing is first.

Hope you all have a Merry, Peaceful and Happy Christmas:o))...if that's what you are in to....The Christmassy stuff, I mean.

Myself, I could do with Christmas not appearing for another two weeks. I was so determined to get sorted this year...in time for once...but seems not to be.

I'm on upped dose for the joints. Central heating has to be on 24/7 and even then I sometimes have to wear three jumpers, scarf and fingerless gloves to keep warm. Junior walks around in a vest top, meanwhile. lol

Weather here is terrible. Nearly crashed the car tonight. Snowed again. Was coming back from Mother's after another ear-bending/angst session....I was only going about 15mph, so had to put it into 4wd and tootle on at a slow pace.

Bro and niece are landing tomorrow:o) I'm so pleased to have them here. Been a long time since we were together. First time Christmas, too. His dog and cat are coming too:o) Cilla is, conveniently, on heat! So, when we go to Son No 1's for Crimble dinner, then dog has to sit in car!! He can howl to his hearts content there:o) Son is taking Junior Crimble shopping tomorrow and she's staying over at his. Lots of time for her to play on all his assorted computer games AND WATCH TV.....EASTENDERS!!! LOL

Niece is good at computer thingies. Maybe she can sort out the mac problem? She has a university education, after all!! Would be heaven:o))

I have upped my rickety joint doses like I said and the swelling has gone down. Wonder for how long? Wonder if Rose Hip Syrup tablets would work? Any ideas?

Monday 21 December 2009

Poor Us

We had plans for today. The social network thing. Junior present giving to friends and family, and all that. All friends will, no doubt, have the bag on, thinking we have purposely missed any meetup. sigh. Family know the score.

Well...joints have been BAD!! I know I joke about it, mainly so Junior doesn't worry, but sometimes it's hard to hide how p**d off I get with it. I was in tears today...first time, really. Couldn't get going until after dinner. My fault. I eased off the Ibuprofen, thinking it would be ok. Not!! So, do I go to the quacks and demand stronger medication. Last time I went was told that I'm too young for the stronger stuff, apparently. Was told....suffer now...or suffer more when you're older....if I get there!'

As if that's not enough. Mother rang up in tears. She sent a card to a sibling of mine. Said sibling has cut all contact with her for reasons only sibling understands. Anyway, sibling sent the card back, unopened. What a twat! No way to treat an 80 year old. Sibling could have just binned it, but just couldn't resist sticking the knife in by returning itI despair. So, I am left to deal with an 80 year old, missing all her kids, grandkids from sibling, her deceased hubby, her partner (who has been stuck in a care home against her wishes and slowly dying from dementia). She's sort of going through a second bereavement. She can still walk quicker than me, though!!

Not nice, at all. Seeing your mother cry, day after day. She's pissed off at being old and I'm pissed off with knackered joints!

Older siblings are outraged. I'll leave it to them to read the riot act. I'll just simmer away, joints permitting.

Sunday 20 December 2009

Oooops!!

Being the poor git that I am, I have been stashing bits and bobs away for Crimbo. Not much, though. Just a cupboard full of stuff, because there's just 'the two of us'.

So.....Junior is a chocolate lover...Yum!

She asks tonight if there is anything chocolatey in the house?...she has the munchies:o)

Nope.

"What about the chocolate shells?"

"They are for Crimbo" replies mean mummy.

"Oh" sighs poor, deprived child!!

Anyway, Old Git has run out of essentials....like Ibuprofen for rickety joints. So....we don our gear and head out into the night.

Opens the door and there is snow....lots of it...and it's still coming down.

Was lovely, actually, to walk in it. What I like about snow is the silence:o) It muffles all the crap away from you. Good.

So, we waddle down to local off licence and grab supplies.......Chocolate, coke and red wine. Forgot the rickety joint pills, didn't I!! Arghhhhh

Still, all is well. Junior is happily indulging in her treats, watching Santa Who.

Me? I am just about to embark on a chocolate shell....just the one.

At £1.39 a box it would have been cheaper to stay at home and let Junior loose on them, rather than dole out the £6.40 Min did at the local overpriced Offy. Still, I plied her with nutritious lentil soup and paninni bread beforehand. Lentil soup is lovely, by the by, for all those unbelievers!!!! lol

Saturday 19 December 2009

Spuds Glorious Spuds!

We're on a mission to see how many different dishes we can make from potatoes.

Need to make cheap filling meals:o)...or else Santa won't be coming here.

Last night it was Leek and Potato soup, which was yummy. Junior ate two bowlfuls, of the Friends capuccinno cup size!! We're going to Son No 1's for Crimble dinner and this is the starter, which he has asked me to make. So, J and I road tested it and for my first attempt it was not bad at all.

LEEK AND POTATO SOUP
(Serves 2)

1 Large Leek, sliced. I used both green and white parts.
3 large Potatoes diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 Pint Veg stock (I used 2 oxo cubes..1 was not flavoursome enough)
Good pinch Parsley
Good pinch salt and pepper
Double Cream - Optional.


1. Saute leeks until soft. Don't let them brown

2. Add diced potatoes and garlic. Saute for about 5 mins

3. Hot Veg Stock and Parsley..or whatever herbs you fancy.

4. Season.

5. Allow to simmer for about 20 mins until the potatoes are cooked. Stir it now and again, so it doesn't 'stick' at the bottom of the pan.

6.Check the seasoning. There's nothing worse than bland soup!!

7. You could blend this if you want a smoother soup, but I just used a potatoe masher so there was still a bit of texture, which Junior likes. Saves washing up, too.

8. We had some double cream in so I put in a tablespoon of that just before serving.

9. Eat:o) We gobbled it up and then thought about piccies later! lol

Friday 18 December 2009

Cats and Mice

Junior is in the throes of making Chrissy pressies for the mogs now. Catnip mice and a few fishing rods with catnip animals of the end of the line:o)

The mogs are on to her and have, alas, sussed out her hiding place for the catnip stash. So, they are road testing her makes.

I've managed to get a few piccies up. Have to say that the mac is MUCH easier for this sort of thing. I cannot get the text to line up properly with the piccies!! Some of the other piccie makes are much better.

Latest instalment of the Dark Lord Badman blog is up. Hilarious.

Bart..getting to know his catnip mouse.



Newly created catnip mouse



Junior's Cats and Dogs on a Tree card



The Naughty Angel - The book is titled How To Be Good




Saturday 12 December 2009

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Junior is into the swing of card making. All this watching Create & Craft is paying off!!!
Her inventions are really cool, have to say. We took photos but batteries conked out, so they are recharging. Once they're done, shall try and post piccies. These cards are COOL! lol And....handmade with love:o))) My Mother is going to love hers:o))) Think sis will like her Arseface inspired one, too...courtesy of the gritlets

New Look

Junior looks a vision in pink today:o)


Pink everything, including slipper boots. Hair is in plaits 'cos Mother told her it will grow better and thicker, so it's the Mini Ha Ha look for her:O) Minimal hairbrushing is a Junior thing:O) lol


Christmas tree is, remarkably, still upright; now adorned with a solitary star and half dressed angel. Junior actually admitted that pink is not a good colour for the angel, so it has a purple skirt:O) (It's actually a cut down party hat that we have from Honey Pot's party). We need more decorations, so are going about this the frugal way, which is doing J's head in. lol So, she's munching a croissant, watching Friends while she contemplates how to get her tree decorated to Junior standard. I can see a colour scheme coming here, or maybe she'll surprise me and go for the pizza job...like...bung everything on..the more colours the merrier.'

I'm going to attempt to make seitan (vegan 'meat') this weekend. See if it's as easy to concoct as they say. Maybe do the garlic sausage flavoured one. Plus, I have all the ingredients in for borscht, which we haven't had in AGES. Have to get practising for Uki Crimbo:O) We have got visitors coming again tomorrow, so I shall test it on them....bro in law is always up for some grub:o) lol

We met a social worker who works with the mentally ill yesterday. Apparently, we are the first home edders she has met! She knew about the gvt's plan to stitch us up, though!

Friday 11 December 2009

Sphincter Muscle is Shot!!!

This is nothing to do with home ed......or ....maybe it is?

The ptb keep harping on about sex education. Like the kids need to know...asap!!!

Well, Junior's had a gut full of that...what with kitten and puppy births. She knows what goes in and what comes out!!! So, Mr.Ms Tick Box LA person...we are WAY head of you there!!!

What about pelvic floors? Is that on the NC. Bloody well should be!!!

Mine has upped and gone. Got wood rot. Call it what you will....it's shot!!

From getting the 'urge', I have, usually, about ten seconds to get to the bog to avert disaster. Getting to la loo is often a long shot (no pun intended), especially with rickety joints Neighbours can surely hear me cursing as I lose the race to the Armitage Shanks bowl of relief.!! Hence, strategically placed bucket downstairs!!!

I am such a catch and such a sex god.

No wonder the cats love me so much:o)))

I should rename myself P Schooler.

Yes...Ha bloody har!!!

Keep saying this, but thanks to whoever for Tena Lady and her ilk:o)))

DO NOT MOCK....IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU ONE DAY!!!!

Christmas Activities...Putting up the Tree

We have been gifted a Christmas tree. It's a fancy fibre optic type. Nice and twinkly.

Came down this morning to find that Junior had rearranged half the sitting room furniture so as to make way for this six foot tall tree. Some of the mogs were, of course, assisting!

So, she is busy making an angel to sit atop the three....and decorations. Busy. busy. busy.

The mogs are playing with the box that the tree came in. It's now a tunnel, slighly flattened, due to the run throughs and pounces.

Tree's been up for a whole three hours:o) lol

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Dad

Dad was in my dreams last night:O) But he looked sad.

I ran up and hugged him. Woke up sobbing. It doesn't get any easier for me, the emptiness.

Another anniversary today. It's sad that he and Junior never met in life but I'm sure he watches over her. She has his habit of whistling:O)..and cats always make a beeline for her, just as they did for him. She's a nightbird like him, too. He would always be last up, usually giving the dogs biscuit snacks in the kitchen. They'd be sat side by side, waiting while he lobbed one up for them so they'd catch the titbits. Cilla does that....munches biscuits at night:o)

He once made a dove house for this stray bird that Mother ended up with somehow. This was a big thing, 'cos Dad was not a diy person at all. But, remarkably, the contraption looked good and stayed upright!!! Anyway, bird always ended up kipping in the main house at night, though. Dad was just one of those people who was kind to animals. He witnessed lots of bad things during WW2. When he was captured and put in a pow camp, that was bad. And in the refugee camps ...people used to eat anything to stay alive, including animals that nowadays and even then, we regard as pets...like cats, dogs, etc. So, he'd never ever eat stew, which I presume is how people ate such meat then, to conceal the real identity. Eeeew. He just never could face the gravy bit. I never cottoned on to this for years. So, nowadays, even I don't cook stews....of any meat kind.

I can remember, as a child, Dad being ill..because of the war experience. Nights of listening to him screaming. Many a time I thought he would diethere and then. This post war stress stuff.
Even years after, he still suffered from a bullet wound in his hip. It never healed properly. So, he got Mother to clean it out. He collapsed on the street and a bloke came to the house and said that he needed Mother. She went and found him collapsed, unable to walk because of pain and infection of the ongoing wound. He wouldn't let the doctors near it because of it never healing right. He only trusted Mother.

Anyway, Mother set out to clean it out properly, once and for all. She said she was shit scared. Never had done anything like this, but Dad was on the point of death. We were poor so all she had was clean sheets, hot water, bandages, scissors, tweezers and Dettol. My Gran was having heart failure, apparently, at the mere thought of her doing this, but there was no choice as Dad was in agony. So, he bit on something while Mother did the deed. Turns out that there was still some gunpowder residue left in the wound. It was like glitter, apparently. She had to dig right down to the bone to clear it all....and then cleaned and padded the wound out. Dad slept for days, recovering from his ordeal. Slowly, the wound eventually healed. It was a massive hole. No wonder Dad was in permanent pain. Mother probably saved him, because he would have been slowly poisoned by all the badness caused by the bullet residue never mind the pain!!

We were supposed to go down to Mother's this afternoon, but I needed my space. We went in the evening. Mother knew why. No words needed for once!!!

The birds still keep him company:o) Even in death, they're drawn to him. They just sort of leave their mark on the headstone. Bit like a calling card, I suposse. lol

Posh Piccies

Brother in law has visited...again.

He always brings 'goodies':O))))

He had to leave pretty pronto, due to a power cut at home and sister ringing for 'assistance'......doesn't know how to change a fuse. Bless

So, he forgot his super dooper digital, top of the range camera. Hehehehehe!!

He knows. Told me to use it. No point. There is no camera to pc cable. Arghhhhhhh

Tuesday 8 December 2009

New Instrument

We have been loaned a piano accordian:o)

You should've seen Junior's face when it arrived.

I did play this when I was younger and it's my favourite musical instrument. Junior wants to learn how to play. God knows how she'll manage, 'cos it's HUGE! lol It'll keel her over.

What do you think the neighbours will think of that once she starts practising and is still at the crap stage? Can't be any worse than recorder practice, can it?

Ear plugs all round for Christmas, then:O)

Told Mother about it and she's now nagging me to bring it to her place for tinkle. Junior's not having it!! lol

Saturday 5 December 2009

Misery Guts

Did not sleep a wink last night.

Think it might be something to do with rock hard mattress, lack of comfy pillows and a blummin dado rail which is just at 'sitting up in bed height!' Arghhhh No headboards in this house. What luxury!

So, I'm walking around like a Thunderbirds puppet..what with stiff neck and rickety joints...I'm such a catch:o)) lol Junior finds it amusing.

Still, thank god for Ibuprofen and paracetamol :o)

J is happy. We lugged the HUGE tv upstairs. One step at a time. So, she can watch her dvds and play her games in her room. Saves my sanity from all the annoying music that these games seem to generate. Plus, it means I have my table back:o) (tv was on this, thus hindering any craft work)

Laptop still has a mind of its own. I wrote a longish, funny post about a mirror set I put up and which then decided to extricate itself from the wall in the middle of the night...nearly braining the sleeping, snoring dog in the process! Then, another bit about me hobbling downstairs in the middle of the night to get my pain relief tablets and elderly cat following me in the hope of an illicit treat. Instead, my feet accidentally found contact with her tail......resulting in high pitched feline shriek......at 3.30am. Bet neighbours are pleased with me. lol But.... It wiped it all out. Annoyed not the word. ******** thing!!!!!****** F'ing and blinding with a stiff neck is hard work!!! lol Laptop of the devil won't let me cut and paste either. Think it might be possessed!!.par for the course in this house. To cap it all, we have succumbed to the 'sniffles'.....Stiff neck with dribbly hooter. Lovely:o)

Now I know why people stick their heads in ovens.

Friday 4 December 2009

OAPs Party!!!

Went to Mother's tonight.

Returned her shopping trolley which we had borrowed the other day....to cart a stainless steel pedal bin back home:o) Was too bulky to carry and, hey, it fitted the trolley PLUS we could cart other stuff in it, too:o)

Well, tonight is Mother's old folks' Christmas Party and real reason for us going was to make sure she went to this DO!! She missed the last one because she was looking out for a dear friend.

We turned up about half an hour before party start time and Mother looked a treat. Even had flashing Christmas earrings in....talk about getting into the swing of things.

So, we went home happy:o)

Hope the little party animals have a great time:o)))) xx

Thursday 3 December 2009

The Emancipation of Min's Feet

A while back, I was supposed to have done the deed on my feet.......Operation Trim Ingrowing Toenails.

My feet were not a pretty sight, with toenails so long that they resembled pork scratchings!! No word of a lie. Paint one toenail and you'd need a whole pot of nair varnish, or so it seemed! lol What, with this affliction and the rickety/distorted joint thing walking was sometimes blummin hard, painful work!! lol

Anyway, I chickened out of Op TIT.

Clippers weren't up to the job...or was it more like my joints weren't up to it and it would have hurt anyway!!!. Yes, yes..I know...A workman shouldn't blame his tools..sort of thing springs to mind here.

Anyway, yesterday, after a marathon 2 hour soak in the bath I did it!

It was a minor miracle that I was able to bend over enough to catch sight of my toenails, let alone clip without amputating tootsies. (Eyesight's shot, too!!!),,,But miracles happen:O)

YAY!!! Freedom. Hello trainers and normal shoes:o)))

My tootsies have been emancipated and the pork scratching toenails are GONE!!!!!

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Thankful

Dog is on my bed.

Curled up all nicely...bottomish of the bed. I am constantly reminded by all and sundry that I am way too soft with said pooch. I beg to differ and all that. Anyway...around here you have to collar and tag your dog when taking them out...incase they get lost, etc, so you can be traced and pooch returned to rightful owner. Fair enough.

My dad hated this. The collar stuff. He wouldn't tolerate any of our dogs having collars on in the house. Too demeaning...too strangling He said it also spoiled their coats. VCL......Visible Collar Line!

I normally take Cilla's collar off when we get in from a walk. I sort of followed Dad's vision on this. I agree. I also hate cows being branded, sheep being dye marked, etc..all that sort of stuff.
Alas, with all things going on of late here, I forgot...until tonight, to take off Cilla's collar. Dog was laid out on bed....so I took her collar off.

Cilla, bless her, gave me her paw in thanks:o) She's such a sweetie:o)))) And I am such an arse!!!

Maybe it's the buddhist in me that thinks that one day I might come back as a dog or the like and I would really prefer to be able to kip on a nice comfy duvan with my human and be treated nicely:o) lol

We were at Mother's yesterday and on the tv was a bloke from Ecover..the eco washing people. (their washing up liquid is divine). Junior asked what he was all about, so I explained. Then the conversation got on to animal management. No idea why. Intensive farming, etc. Facts of life . Not just about sex, is it? Kids need to know how and where food comes from, just as much as sex and the baby stuff.

Today, we are exploring the hydrologial cycle. Why are there so many floods and all that, I am asked? So, I explains Seem to remember this in A level geography. Then, eco stuff came into the conversation, again. Think she gets it. Maybe I could arrange for a trip to a sewerage plant to help the understanding? I'm trying to get across the buildup of gases not being good. Maybe I should 'store' some of the cat poop to get the 'not nice gases' theory across? lol

Still, I have one lovely daughter who is kind and considerate and no way a spoiled brat. Blooming miracle:o) And I won't have her 'education' spoiled by the likes of Badman and Balls!!!

Saturday 28 November 2009

Pppffff!

I had 500 plus photos on my camera. They were up on the Mac, too. I kept them on the camera as backup just incase anything happened to the Mac. Mac is still pooped.

A pc friendly friend showed my how to copy these photos from camera onto the laptop that a certain someone lent me. It was dead easy. Couple of clicks and they were on. We viewed them. All I had to do was label them...better for patience in the long run, especially when trying to upload a few on to the blog!! Organisation and all that:o)

Well, piccies have disappeared. Gone...Ppfffffff!! Sigh..........

They've also gone from the camera!! Eeeeek

Ho Hum

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Look after what you have:o))

Junior has expressed an interest in reading Harry Potter and then watching the appropriate dvd.

Oh,......if life were so simple!!

Reading is not the problem......bloody crap dvd is!!!

Need to go to and buy dvd cleaning kit!!!! ARGHHHHH!!

Junior is mega Arghhh!! lol

That'll teach her to look after her stuff!! lol

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Stilll Here

We are a tad wet!!

Garden room (posh say for lean-to greenhouse) leaks rainwater when it precipitates!! Still, we are better off than the poor folk up in floodland in Cumbria. I hope it all gets better. What can I say? xxxx

I've tons of piccies to upload but bloody temperamental microsoft laptop is making my life....arghhhhhh!!!!!!! I have tried to get photos up, but me and laptop...not compatible. Just at the wrong time, too. Daughter is into taking piccies, when we are 'unawares'. Those are the best piccies.

Ah well, as soon as I have a spare £60 I will high tail it down to local mac shop to get my baby 'sorted'!! lol It has, apparently, gone into panic mode. Can't even get past the admin log in. Says it's unavailable!! All disks are ejected...a la Harry Potter style!!...pfffffffffffffffff!

Sooooooo, we've been busy. We still have lemon'tinged mogs around the place, meaning that the decorating is still ongoing. Jimbob, Mother's mog, has made friends with next door's mog:o)))) He comes in smelling of nice fabric conditioner!!...and purrs...a lot!

Daughter is beating the pc at Solitaire. I've only done it twice, but she does it on a daily basis.

It's now Autumn....and we are just happy to be at home:o)...making lots of meals, baking and jam making, believe it or not!! With it blowing a gale outside, it just seems 'ok' to be doing this....says she...with a certain Junior...in full view...clipping her toenails, flanked by favourite mogs!!!!

Still can't get her into history of politics. She wants to steer clear of slime balls at this moment in time.

Maybe that 's why I can't get motivated. to blog. All this Balls and Badman crap...and it is crap. Totally. You never know who is watching you..do you????!!

Sunday 15 November 2009

Nosh and Expect the Expenses

Am sinking under a humungous pile of laundry!

How come, when there's only the two of us, that I end up with so much? Washing machine is on at least three times a day....I have stuff on coathangers drying all over the place. Aahhhh...those were the days when ex used to iron anything in sight. There was no stopping him! Give him an ironing board, pile of clothes, can of lager and Match of the Day and he was off!!! Sadly...or not...I do not enjoy this activity..hence lots of washing all over the shop1 lol Ironing board comes in handy, though, as a feline snoozing pad.

We made the Sweet Potato Gnocchi and it is very nice.

I forgot to put the cinnamon in the dough, plus ran out of plain flour and had to stick stome self raising in. Dumplings sort of SWELLED when cooked! lol

I forgot to put the veg bouillon and white white vinegar in, too. (internet conked so couldn't look up the exact recipe details as we were cooking..can't blame it on senility now, can we? lol) But, with a dash of tomato ketchup/sweet chili dipping sauce and some sea salt, it was yummy. We made loads...or rather..Junior made loads. She was responsible for rolling and chopping. I am a slave driver!! We put about two thirds of the amount we ended up with in the freezer for a later date. We made lots of 'sauce' with the chard bit....more like a dumpling soup meal. We used spring cabbage instead of chard and didn't overdook it..just crunchy enough. Only thing I find with gnocchi, is that it can cool too quickly if you don't consume it with a tomato sauce..or fast enough, so warm your eating bowls up:o) Had big bro been here, he would have put a dollop of Vitalite/butter on the gnocchi, which would be nice tastewise.

When we were kids, Mother used to cook loads of pasta (we called in macaron!). Of course, we sometimes ended up with too much. The pasta was usually used up next day/meal...fried up until goldeny crisp...and it is LOVELY like that. Aaah, the good old days:o)

Tomorrow, we start the history of politics. Wonder how long it'll take her to identify a slime ball?...or if she'll pick up the habit of not answering a question directly? Maybe I'll start getting claims for expenses! lol

Saturday 14 November 2009

AHWTFS

Did a AHWTFS blog.

It's blowing a gale here. Lots of rain.

Might see you....bobbing down the road...on my sofa!! lol

Thursday 12 November 2009

Eat

We're a strange lot.

It's funny how people have little quirks when it comes to food, eating strange combinations of the stuff.

When I was little I used to love salad cream sandwiches. The bread had to be the square, polystyrene white type,...this being a novelty in our house because bread was usually of the rye type and unsliced.

Big bro, when he was first married, used to rave about beef dripping spread on a wedge of crusty, white bread, topped with a little sprinkling of salt! Eeew!

Junior has her funnies, too. She doesn't eat the skin off tomatoes or grapes!!

So, this week she has a cold. You'd think a nice soup would be ordered by my little darling...but..no. She wants onion sandwiches. This is something that my mother is responsible for.

Mother, being a widow, now has the freedom to eat what she wants. One of her little inventions is the onion sarni. My boys love them, too!!..as does their sister. Funny little snack.

All it is is thinly sliced white onions...put in a bowl. Then add a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper and.....a little freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. It is better with red grapefruit, not the normal type. Lemon juice doesn't work as well. Mix it all up, cover with cling film and leave to marinade for a couple of hours then slap some in between two slices of bread for you to nosh:o) Mother swears it's good for your blood, hence there always being some of this in her fridge:o) It is nice, have to say, as long as you marinade it for long enough, to get rid of the raw onion taste.

We did take photos, but then the camera batteries passed over into another world, again, but I suppose it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what this dish looks like! lol

We made falafels..or rather, Junior did. (reminds me of a Friends episode..the falafel bit) Were lovely, wedged in a warm pitta bread, with Mother's onion invention...and a dollop of plain yoghurt. Yummy.

Next week on the home ed front and bearing in mind all this Badman crap that we're having to deal with, we are foraying into the world of the history of politics.

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Cold

Junior has a cold.

She is well and truly snotty. Have MOUNDS of tissues...at the ready.

Some of the mogs are sneezing, especially Jimbob. So....central heating is on to keep everyone warm. The mogs don't want cat biccies...they want MEAT and snuggly places to sleep!!!!

Ack.....£30 per week is the cost of this.....the central heating bit, I mean.

So, with J not feeling well, she is knitting. Lots of casting on and pulling out....but she's persevering and is making a face cloth and a foray into making hairbands:o) We might even make marmalade. Nigella Lawson stuff. Homey stuff.

I've told mother to keep away. Cold at her age is a no no. But. she's oblivious to all this...it can't get her...sort of thing. Arghhhh!

Sunday 8 November 2009

The Painters and Decorators are in!

A wise old woman once said, in the not too distant past,..."When painting your bedroom or anywhere else, concentrate on the job in hand.....and keep the cats out!"

Was her advice heeded?

Ack....Nah! No chance.

We now have some exotically multi coloured mogs.

LooLoo is now the possessor of blue-tipped whiskers, Popeye has a lavender coloured back end, Honey Pot has just sashayed down the hall with the latest in lavender moustaches and Tinkerbelle? Ah...could only happen to Tinks. Now sporting a lemon tail:o) Doesn't quite match her brindle colouring. If I'd been her, I would have chosen the Burnt Paprika!! Interior design is not for her:o)

So, must now pretend to stroke and pet my little darlings....one by one, so I can relieve them of thier Dulux emulsions:o)

Next time, lock puddy tats AWAY...far, far away from any decorating! Ignore any looks of "We only want to help".

Lesson learned. Sigh......

So , yes...we have been decorating.

Junior is a vision in lavender and sky blue:o)..as is her newly painted bedroom. She got well and truly "stuck in". Bless...and is and should be, proud of her efforts:o) She painted along to her one and only tape that was in the bedroom and knows all the Bryan Adams tunes pretty well:o) lol She's now in the throes of making a huge collage on canvas for her newly painted walls.

I have de-tangoed the upper hallway from the vile orange that was to a more serene cornmeal yellow. Normally, painting has a relaxing effect for me but this Badman crap has just annoyed me so much. Arghhh! He just strikes me as one sad plonker. Go to Grit's blog for details. She rages about it far more thoroughly and eloquently, or Gill's at Sometimes it's Peaceful. There's also a link to Blogdial on Grit's post. Some of the Select Committee submissions make juicy reading, proving what a farce this all is. Read Tech's.

I have to go and catch a cat or two:o)

Thursday 5 November 2009

This is going to hurt!

If you hear a scream, it'll be me!

I can't put it off anymore.

Today is the day!! It's taken me ages to pluck up the courage. It always does.

I am the not so proud owner of ingrowing toe nails...which, generally, behave and allow me to wear non peep-toed footwear now and again. However, they're giving me jip at the moment (toe nails) and resemble pork scratchings - honest.....not a nice look!!!

Soooo........I'm geeing myself up again..to find courage to trim!! This is not for the faint hearted. I've located and oiled up my industrial strength toe clippers, got the foot spa ready, a rolled rag to bite on ..to stifle any screams of pain and barred all children and animals from the proximity so there is no danger of them being blinded by pinging, exocet type bits of nail.

My life is so exciting!!!!

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Remembering

Another year on.

Today would have been my friend's birthday:o)

He's up there somewhere, floating on a cloud and probably listening to Steeley Dan and beating whoever at some board game:o)

It's sad that he felt he had to leave this 'world' early. He left many broken hearts behind.

I hope he's found peace:o)

Happy Birthday, SJ. xx

PS. I'm still rubbish at chess!!

Tuesday 3 November 2009

We are feeling the cold here. The central heating is on and most of the radiators have a cat nearby, snuggling up, to keep warm:o)

Typically, Junior does not fancy anything hot for tea, like soup....she prefers salad!! lol

Anyway, with the house being so cold, think we are in for a sewing session to make a few draught excluders...and a new kitchen blind to replace the manky net curtains that we have. Nets are such a horrible necessity....stopping people from looking in. Wish I could have black out windows...the same as you get in some cars, so people can't look in but we can look out and still get the light...and have an undetected nosy at things:o) Somebody get inventing!!! lol

I had a little lesson on how to get piccies up on this laptop. So, I gets photos at the ready...then find that camera batteries have conked out!!

Monday 2 November 2009

Yay

Today is a home ed meetup day. Yay!!

It's sunny and breezy....just right for drying washing. I have LOTS to dry. Yay!...as in...won't have to use the tumble dryer.

Home ed meeting is run by very nice persons who know LOTS about non Imac laptops! Yay!

Maybe I can get a little idiots guide lesson on how to get the best out of this laptop and actually get some piccies up on the blog? Yay!

Spent half the night crocheting some long-sleeved, fingerless wrist warmers to keep rickety joints warm. (see Posy Gets Cosy or Attic 24) Nearly done:o) Mine are a little different but, hey, I got inspired!!

Might have lost my cooking mojo, but the crafting one is back! Yay!

Sunday 1 November 2009

Meat and Veg

Went up to the local little supermarket yesterday, armed with ten quid.

The aim was to get,amongst other things, something for tea yesterday and dinner today. We need stuff like washing powder, tea bags, etc, too. Ten quid does not go far, let me tell you. Everything is SO expensive! but you all know that.

Well...I'm a bloody vegetarian so why was I looking at the raw meat counter? Shelves filled up with trays of cut up bodies, some complete with blood! Yuk. I think that, sadly, a few of these 'bodies' would have been walking and living in some of our local fields last week!! You can hear them during the day, the livestock, especially the sheep. And then there's the very local chooks, clucking and cockadoodling away:o)

Junior is not veggie, so that is probably why I found myself there, in meat hell. I look at this 'stuff' and cannot bring myself to buy any. It's the smell of it all, too. The labels all had a 'slaughter' number on!!!!

Anyway, turns out J didn't want meat and had a veggie roast dinner. Me? I have to figure out some tasty veggie dishes for us both. Now the winter heating bills are coming in, I have the vast amount of £25 a week to feed us both on! To cap it all, I have lost my cooking mojo. It's upped and buggered off somewhere!! sigh....

Halloween

We had no trick or treaters tonight. Is this a sign of the times?

Junior spent some of the evening playing solitaire on the laptop and then watched a few Charmed dvds. She's not into the trick or treating stuff...probably because her brother used to scare her when she was younger. Not funny at the time, I know...she'll get him back!! lol...but nowadays she just thinks it's daft...commercial and twisted from the real meaning, etc.

She knows about Santa ...and the tooth fairy....and worries about breaking the news to her brothers. lol

We never 'celebrated' such a thing when I was younger...the Halloween thing, I mean. I suppose Mum and Dad, quite sensibly, thought it was an unecessary evil....scaring your pants off with all that stuff. Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee films were enough for me!! Mum's told me a few tales from her childhood...up in the Carpathian mountains, near the land of Vlad....about children going missing...being found kaput, minus a few litres of blood. Eeeew!

Most people pick romantic dates, like Valentines, etc to get hitched on...and I pick Halloween. What a twit! lol Not surprised it didn't last.

Well, here I am. 3 am...... Junior's in the land of nod. The cats won't settle, neither will the dog.

Eeeeek!!!!!

Friday 30 October 2009

Back in the land of the living!! Yay!!

Reason for blogging absence.....iMac is playing up.

It has gone into panic mode, apparently and won't re jig itself, even with the startup discs one gets when you purchase the thing.....sigh. This means an expensive visit to an Apple shop somewhere, which will just have to wait.

I was tempted to lug IMac upstairs and drop it out of the bedroom window....if my joints were up to it. They have been playing up, of course!!

So, I have been loaned a tiny non Mac laptop. Has to be said that it has a mind of its own and is a bigger pain up the arse than the Mac. Doesn't help that it has a dodgy keyboard. lol Anyway,'tis nice to be back in the land of the living. You can only listen to so much radio! lol We don't have tv, so it's nice to 'see' stuff again.

Junior and I have been up to allsorts. Have tons of photos to upload, once I figure out this machine!! The screen is so tiny. Makes my eyes boggle!! How do you make the lettering darker?

On the mog front, Mother's cat is well and truly settling in and is alpha male at the mo. Probably due to his grumpy growl. One of the semi-feral old ladies has been injured. Think she has been hit by someone. She has an injury on her side..fur ripped off and a rectangular wound. So, she's under 'house arrest'. She's busting a gut to get outside and is trying it on with stuff, like 'missing' the cat litter!! Arghhhh I know she's doing it on purpose, little madam!! lol Still, she looks much better. The younger cats are much more well behaved than the older ones, have to say!! lol

My little car has gone to bro's for repairs, so we are on Shanks' Pony for a while. Bro and Bro in law came down for 'her'. Made a veggie chilli. Bro in law loves his meat, but he. still ate this. lol Junior made them some fairy cakes for pud. She is now the proud owner of a piano organ...one of those big, portable, all singing and dancing things. Must remember to get headphones back from Mother! lol

Thursday 24 September 2009

Grub and 3 legs

Vegetable Lasagne. Try it. It's luverly:o)

We sauteed a few onions, garlic. Added some chopped up celery, potatoes...pea sized...and carrots...and a can of chickpeas. Sploshed in some basil, parsley (a few ground up fennel seeds are nice in this) tomato puree, a couple tins of tomatoes. (I always use whole, plum toms...'cos i hate the hundreds of stalks you seem to end up with when you use chopped, tinned toms). Let this lot bubble away for 15 mins. Season. Layer up in a baking dish. Some of the sauce at the bottom, then lasagne....stops it sticking to the bottom. Layer it all up and top with a white, spicy sauce...we used a creamy gouda but you could obviously leave with out to veganise it. I always add plenty of freshly ground black pepper to this. Bake at 190c for 40 mins. The lasagne sheets were lovely and chewy:o) It made LOADS!!....enough for three meals:o)

Don't have a photo. Batteries conked out, again!!

We have got cat no 13 coming soon. A poor little 3 legged mog who has been living on the streets with her kittens - who have now mysteriously disappeared!! How can people not take the poor thing in when it's plainly starving and needing shelter? Anyway, I have my beady eye on a potential home for this little sweetie. Good job big bro doesn't read this blog!! lol

A friend of ours has taken some homeless kittens in on behalf of a pet charity. "No room at the Inn", sort of scenario at the pet rescue place so the homeless kitties get fostered, where possible, until homes are found for them. She's got over a dozen, plus her own cats!! 30 in total!! The other week some girls brought a little female to her. They had seen some boys (with IQs seemingly on par with the proverbial plank of wood) kicking it about, so they intervened and rescued it. It was yet another stray. You could see the trainer marks on the poor cat's head where the youths had booted her! She obviously needed painkillers. Poor thing. Anyway, she is recovering and is now a permanent member of the feline family (no 19) at friend's:o) Friend will not risk letting her go through anything like that again. So, lucky little cat has taken up residence in the loft bedroom:o) The house is spotless, by the way, even with all the pets.

Today, on the home ed front, we're attempting to build a radio! Should be interesting:o)

Tuesday 15 September 2009

RIP

Been perusing the news and am so sad.

I've just read that Keith Floyd has died. He was my favourite tv chef. Flamboyant and shambolic. So funny at times. I used to watch his Floyd on Fish series each week. He got me in to cooking, even though I never cooked fish! lol

And then, if that isn't bad enough, poor Patrick Swayze has gone, too:o( He always struck me as a gentleman. Honourable and all that.

Monday 14 September 2009

Bullies

I keep getting these nasty, bullying letters from the tv licensing people.

They threaten me with allsorts. 

According to them. I must buy a tv license.  

I am not going to buy a tv license.

Why?

Because we do not watch tv or have any connection to tv here.  We only watch dvds.

Still, the bullying letters regularly land on our door mat.

Bollocks!!

Go and bully someone else.  

I am not going to pay for a service that I don't have and don't want to use.

If we want to watch something, then we go to someone else's house and watch it there.  It is usually a non-BBC channel, too.

I'm not going to telephone an expensive number to explain my self...or waste postage, time after time.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Little Treasures

These are the little teapots from a recent jumble sale that we attended. Cute, aren't they?
This one is my favourite


But it was the colour of this one that drew me to them all

Little cottage

Go them all, plus more, for 50p! lol

Mother wanted this one

She got this plant pot (and lavender plant, which she's put somewhere else) for 50p!

I tried to do a copy of something on Grit's blog...see the post about Grit's twisted family.  My subject is alive and kicking..albeit a pain up the arse at times!!

All these books. 50p the lot! There are some wonderful, old sayings and rhymes in some of these.



The items of clothing bought for less than a quid...destined to be transformed into a couple of patchwork cushion covers by Junior:o)

We've been out and about in our new car. It's lovely to have 'freedom' again. Away from relying on expensive public transport. "Tis really different...going from a BIG jeep to a little automatic...bit like driving a dodgem!! lol But, hey...it has a sunroof and a crappy radio..but the tape player works. Junior was peeing her pants today, at my rendition of Ariel...of Dean Freidman fame. OK. I know nobody has heard of him as it was sooooo long ago, but I enjoyed myself:o)

Yesterday, Son no 2 vsited, with grandchild of Min:o) We spend a few hours at Mother's. Was nice to see them both. Little one is coming on leaps and bounds and is a bright little thing:o) Mother plied us with food, as per usual. Came back stuffed. Little one likes garlic sausage, new potatoes and quavers:)

Sunday 6 September 2009

Bargains and Car

Junior has been exploring the computer.  

She can now make captions and put them on photos and so make her own comic or mag.  Just need to find my spare ink cartridges so she can print them up.

She's also discovered the joys of computer chess!  This surprises me as she's not known for her patience.  Anyway, she's teaching herself and is being repeatedly 'walloped' by her opponent.....the iMac!  Still, every day she soldiers on and gets better and better.  I bought her a chess set this weekend,  in pristine condition, from a jumble sale.  20p.  Bargain!!  One of her brothers was a school chess champion and she wants to beat him!!

I don't much care for it.  Used to play in my younger years, but I much prefer draughts.  We used to play with my Dad, who was a hilarious, serial, call your bluff cheat:o)  He'd make rules up as he went along and we ended up playing to these instead of the proper ones.  Hilarious.  We'd have a whale of a time, ping ponging, backwards and forwards across the board.  Dad also used to make other rules up as he went along, to assist himself in winning (especially against my younger brother, who was way too competitive).   Dad would titter away like a mischievous child:o).   He made it fun.   We always play to Dad's rules nowadays.  The normal ones are too boring!  lol

We came  back from the aforementioned jumble sale ladened with loads of goodies, some of them given for free!  From cat-loving stall holders:o)  Lots of ornamenty types, which Mother has commandered...but I don't mind.  Less dusting for moi!!  lol   There are some lovely, cute little novelty teapots.   Shall have to photo them.   They're all still at Mother's because old Rickety Joints here couldn't carry them home.  6 teapots, some crystal, figurines and loads of other odds and ends for...50p!!

I love jumbles and car boots. 

Also got some clothing...all in pristine condition.  The intention was to get some cotton/linen bits as Junior wants to make a patchwork cushion.  So, as patchwork was originally to make use and reuse scraps/old/unwanted clothing,  we picked up a few items in co-ordinating colours  at the jumble sale (and some for J's wardrobe).  Trouble is, now that they're home, they seem too good to cut up...even if they were only 30p each! (including a designer linen skirt)   But, they will have to do.  New quilting materials are just too expensive and it's a bit pointless spending money on these when you are trying to recycle, save money, etc.  So, like it or not, Junior's new patchwork cushion cover will be in differing hues of lavender and lilac.   I think they'll be really lovely, too. 

Even the mogs got something.... we bought a couple of lovely, fleecy jumpers for them to cuddle/sleep on, now that the nights are getting colder.. for 30p each.   They've washed up a treat.  Beats paying a fiver for a pet blanket or bed.  

Did I mention that I love jumble sales?  lol

Bro and bro in law are coming down tomorrow to build a wardrobe for Mother.  She's fed up of crinkly clothes.  Junior and I could put this wardrobe up, but she won't let us!  She fears for my joints.  Junior is a bit disappointed as she likes doing this sort of stuff.  Krypton Factor sort of figuring out stuff:o)  So, Mother has promised the boys a bit of old-fashioned cooking in return of their diy skills.  A traditional dish that we used to eat week in, week out in our Uki home....pyrogy!  Basically, little potato dumplings, slathered in melted butter and sauteed, chopped onions.  Delish   She's making 200.  I think that might just be enough:o)  lol  This is no mean feat for an 80 year old.  Making the pasta, rolling it out thinly (which is HARD work) and then cutting out into rounds and filling the buggers up with cheesy mashed potato:o)  Then there's the cooking!  Anyway, Junior will be 'helping'.  lol

We're excited, 'cos bro is also delivering our new car.  A joint friendly type.  Automatic.  He says it's a nippy little thing, having road tested it for ages.  He misses the big jeep that he's kindly let me borrow.  Bless.    We bought him some bits from the jumble sale, too.  A lovely sweater and a 'doom and gloom' book. (about WW2 airplanes and ships - he's into all that sort of stuff! )

We spent about a fiver on all we bought at the jumble.

I love jumble sales:o))  Did I mention that?  lol

Saturday 5 September 2009

Bean Salad

Junior likes the little exotic salad/side dishes that you can buy. You know, in the little plastic pots...and they usually cost a small fortune. They're in the chiller department of the supermarkets, along with stuff like houmus, beetroot salad, cous cous salads, etc.

Anyway, after forking out for one (and liking it muchly) we decided to try making our own so we can enjoy and save money to boot.

Bean Salad


We use frozen beans - mainly because fresh aren't available now and plus, frozen works out cheaper as it makes lots:o)

We use green beans, edamane (soya beans) and broad beans. The shop (Asda) bought version uses sugar snap peas instead of green beans.

You just cook in boiling water for a few minutes and then cool in iced water to keep the green colour. We pop the broad beans out of their thick skins too, but you don't have to do this..it's just that Junior prefers it that way (she also peels her grapes before she eats them, too!!)

The best part is the dressing. We just made this up from looking at the ingredient list on the shop bought version.  We use:-

2 tbs olive oil (We used 2 TSPS walnut oil instead last time and it was good)
2 tbs balsamic vinegar
4 tbs soy sauce
Clove of garlic..chopped finely
Half a thumb length of fresh ginger..grated finely..add the juice, too
1 small shallot - finely chopped
1 tsb of runny honey or agave nectar or maple syrup
A smidgeon of finely chopped red chilli (optional)

Stick all the dressing ingredients in a clean jam jar and shake to mix thoroughly. Season to taste. This is better if you make it in advance and let the flavours meld together.

Mix beans and dressing and enjoy.  It's nicer at room temperature, not too cold.

We made some this afternoon. A huge panful. There's me thinking it would last all weekend, but Junior has basically scoffed the lot. lol


Ringo taking up room on the sofa and posing, as usual:o)

Friday 4 September 2009

Vitamin Wheel - too big for sidebar!

Monday 31 August 2009

She can do it, at last:o)

Junior is knitting again:o)

Things are going well, this time.

The project she's got going at the mo is a scarf.

She has knitted about a dozen rows without losing her rag or dropping a stitch or few:o)

Not a mutter of complaint. No shrieks of 'damn' or 'stupid thing!' to be heard.... or the lobbing of wool and needles across the room at javelin speed!!

The mogs must sense that this is an important time in their little mitresses's life, because they're leaving her (and her wool) well alone!! Wise puddycats:o)

Maybe the knitting penny has dropped because Mother showed her how to cast on HER way.

Maybe knitting while watching Charmed is the way to do it.

Or maybe it's because she's just 'ready' to knit now and take it all in:o).......

Just in time for our first visit this week to a nearby Knit and Natter group:o)

Who knows, this week a scart...next week maybe Fairisle or cable!!

Saturday 29 August 2009

Get together

Son no 1 is up visiting, along with girlfriend and Bobby, brother of our Cilla dog. So, Son no 2 and his other half invited us over for a meal. Was very nice and lovely to see the brothers and their other halves together:o) Plus, this little lady:o)

She is so sweet and BRIGHT!! A proper cutie and a credit to a young Son no 2 and his other half.

Grandchild of Min, making friends with Bobby dog, who is EXTREMELY laid back:o).


Still not managed to get the competition letter from behind the mantlepiece. Now waiting for big bro to come down and take the bugger apart!! lol

Tuesday 25 August 2009

The mantlepiece has an appetite!!

Junior is into word searches, especially those that have a prize to be won for all her hard work!

Today, she spots a word search in her cat magazine.  She only bought it yesterday.   The prize is a nice, comfy cat bed.  Posh, too:o)


Anyway, she spends ages doing the darn thing and finally finishes it.  Yippee.   She found the missing word, so she is convinced she has won.  All she has to do is send her entry off and await the goodies:o)

She duly fills in the competition form, hunts around for and finds an envelope, puts form in, seals envelope, addresses it and then hunts for a stamp.

We do not have any so I tell her that we'll buy some tomorrow and she can post her competition form then.  I tell her to put the envelope in a safe place.

She puts the form on the lounge mantlepiece.

Before I could say "Not there", the envelope disappears!   

It has slid down the back of the mantle!!  The 'House that Jack Built" people who fitted mantlepiece didn't screw it flush to the back wall, so there is a gap....enough to eat Junior's precious competition envelope...and boy, has she got a strop on now!!!

She's tried allsorts to tweak the thing out.....tweezers, knitting needle with sticky substance on the end to anchor it and lift it out of its hidey-hole.   We tried sellotape, sticky dots, etc.   Nah.  Nothing works.   Never does when you're in a stroppy mood, does it.  She's even suggested dismantling the whole fireplace!!  lol

Anyway, tomorrow is another day and we'll try again and, hopefully Junior will extricate the thing and send it on its way.

Poor thing.....could only happen to her.  lol 

Sunday 23 August 2009

Put to good use

This week we're going to do a bit of recycling.

We have some bits of furniture that are too good for the tip and not good enough for Freecycle, if you get my meaning?  I was racking my brain, trying to find a use.  The bits I have are a rattan wardrobe and its bedside drawers, plus a couple of square, deep, birch-effect wardrobe topper cupboards.    The rattan stuff is lovely really..but the mogs got their claws on them and they look terrible now:o(  Anyway, I have too many wardrobes so this one is destined.....for the garden.   

I'm going to lay it on it's back, take the doors off and use it as a raised bed for our veggie garden bit.  The bedside drawers will be used just the same and the wardrobe doors could be used as edging or climbing support.   Rattan is...rattan...right?  So there shouldn't be any issues with chemicals leaching from it...I hope.    All I need is a ton of compost to fill the things!  lol  And, some piping and heavy duty polythene to construct a poly tunnel cover for when the weather is bad and to keep out the neighbourhood mogs.  I've also got some heavy duty banana boxes from the move.  Shall use these the same way for smaller crops like salads and stuff we want to experiment with.  Get them off the ground via some well placed bricks.   Anyway, this all should save my back and joints from unnecessary digging. 

The previous owners of the house, in their wisdom, went OTT and planted LOTS of plants  in the back garden, mainly ornamental grasses and these are taking over, so they'll get thinned out.  As I get older I find that I'm more into useful plants (and herbs) and not the ornamental stuff.  We have some peonies.  They're lovely for the couple of days that they flower for but the rest of the time they bore me.  So they can go.  I like colour; varying shades of green just don't do it for me.      

In this garden, where there aren't plants there is pea gravel( laid on top of the obligatory weed suppressing membrane).  All very nice, but a pain to walk around on when your ankle and knee joints are wonky!   I think the original garden theme was low maintenance and drought proof.   Fair enough, but it's like a giant cat litter really..the gravel.. (not that my mogs use it, they don't 'cos they are inside).  Anyway, shall have to get landscape gardener Son No 2 down here to shift some of it and thin the plants out.  They can be Freecycled.   

I hope all this works because I'm looking forward to eating home grown food again and gazing out and walking around a productive, scented patch of land without breaking my ankle!  lol  So is Junior.  She loves getting stuck in and organising stuff.....  She's the Fruit Queen.....loves strawberry and blueberry fruits.  Whizzes 'em up to make a delicious, pink smoothies:o)  I'm lucky in that she loves fruit and veg.  Feel sorry for those people who struggle to get their kids to eat their 5 a day.

Today we made a vegan stew for tea.  Ratatouille basically, made with onions, diced aubergine, mushrooms all sauteed for a bit; add tin of toms,  chickpeas, sweetcorn, tomato paste, crushed fennel seeds, ground cumin and coriander, dried basil, parsley, salt and pepper.  Simmer on low heat for about 20 mins.  Was very yummy.  Since going mainly vegan I've noticed that the old arthritis isn't as bad nowadays, which is all good.  Might be able to get my heels on for summer yet, or what's left of it:o)

Boring. No flowers for the bees, so this is getting a thinning out.

This grass has really sharp edges!! Notice the crap gravel.

More. We have loads of this one.  It's a bit more interesting than the others, being variegated.  We have a pampas grass, too but it's been chopped down (before we came here).  Am not going to encourage it 'cos they are a pain to trim and dig up, I hear.

Fuchsia. Don't mind this because of the colour, but it's rooted next door through the fence, so isn't technically ours. Shall have to take a few cuttings incase next doors decided to dig it up.

Friday 21 August 2009

Pink

At last.....Mother is mobile!......communication-wise, that is:o)

She's been feeling increasingly cut off with recent events and is open to the idea of keeping up with 'us kids":o))  BT are farting about reconnecting the phone line in her new home.  You'd think her advancing years and medical needs would enable a speedy connection, wouldn't you?  There's a socket there already, too.
 
Earlier in the week we toddled off to suss out suitable mobiles.   Mother's wish list a la mobile.....

First and foremost, it must have big buttons.  Not because of any eyesight issues, more to do with clumsy, numb fingers!  Then, it must have a ring tone loud enough to re-awaken the dead..... and a speed dial.   Nothing more.   

After a lot of prodding and poking, we found one.  Well, Mother did.  Would have to be expensive with a multitude of gadgets that she'll never use.   The cheaper, basic ones were too small for her.   Well, she thinks this one is ok and it's a nice colour, too....(so we know where Junior gets her pink preferences from now:o))   lol

New mobile is charged and loaded.  J has put Mother's contact numbers on speed dial and is preparing.............

Tonight, she teaches her gran how to use the thing:o)   Bless

Wednesday 19 August 2009

The dog heard

We had the intruder thing last night...again!  Lots of growling felines.  This time even the dog heard and barked away...probably putting intruder off incase he/she/they ended up with a backside full of canine teeth!

I'm so peed off with this because we were meant to be going to an important home ed recording today. but have to stay and suss out more security.

There are some pillocks in this world and they always seem to find me!


Saturday 15 August 2009

Funny and not so funny

Funny:o)

















The not so funny...

Was woken up this morning to a chorus of growling mogs. No partying, just low pitched growling,

I tells them to shushh....but they carry on regardless. This went on for a bit.

So, I gets up to find them all sat/stood rigid, eyes focused on the back garden room door, still growling.

Then, I notice something moving in the back garden. Wasn't greenery but our back gate, opening and closing!!

Someone had broken into the garden, tried to get into the house and must have been put off by the dozen sets of 'Don't mess with me, mate!" eyes, ready for action claws and menacing growls.

My heroes:o)))

Friday 14 August 2009

Home Alone

I am all alone....apart from 12 mogs and a dog!!

Junior is out...again.

Gone on a trip with Mother along with 50 other people, young and old.   A little outing organised by the residents committee at her new abode.  They are a great bunch of people:o)  So funny and kind.  They are, unknowingly, doing their bit to mend Mother's broken heart and ease her loneliness.  

It's a 'Let's explore our countryside, have lunch and shop' type of trip, which should suit both of my girlies:o)

Meanwhile,  back at The Lodge, once painkillers kick in,  I'm hoping to rip out the stair carpet and then sand and paint the treads off white!   And make a Cranberry and Pecan Tiffin (recipe courtesy of Attic 24).  Ten years ago, I could have done all that in a couple of hours.  Nowadays, alas.......

I am done with carpets..and all that blummin' hoovering.  From now on, it's either painted white floorboards , white floorboard effect lino or ceramic floor tiles (already in):o)....with the odd rug here and there.

And..I am doing a 'Mandy' and decluttering:o)

Maybe, by the time it's all 'sorted" I may have remembered to recharge camera batteries and post the piccies!!!  

Going to try and find charger...which has been 'tidied away' by Junior....not necessarily in the correct place!!

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Finding my wings. again

Today is a chill out day.

Junior has discovered the earphone socket on the tv that we use for her X Box, Game Cube, etc.  No more computer game music for moi!  Yay!! 

She plays away on them and Bart lies atop the tv, keeping warm:o)   Meg squeezes behind it for the same reason, I presume.   Mother's cat, Jimmy,  has settled in.  We keep our dvd's in an old set of drawers that we've had for years and the games tv and stereo are on top.  It's obviously a substantial piece of furniture.  Heavy but, sadly, not worth a lot...but I think it's lovely.  Middle drawer is dvd drawer which J always forgets to push back in after taking a dvd out.  Jimmy has taken advantage of this and uses it as a snoozing spot:o)  Maybe, at the grand old age of 11, he's into gaming, too?  lol   LooLoo seems to have taken a liking to laying atop the stereo.  I knew my ancient turntable would come in handy for something.  lol

Must remember to recharge camera batteries!!  

Now we are mobile, I asks Junior where she would like to go on holiday.    I tell her that it must not be a camping choice.  Tents, midges, primitive loos and me don't go..certainly with iffy joints!!  Don't want midge bites on ample backside and then not be able to scrat them because of iffy joints!!  lol

"Scotland" she tells me is the place to go.

Ok.  Good choice.  I like Scotland a lot.  There are nice home edders north of the border:o)  Not that they are the only nice people.   My Mother did have friends up there, but I think they'll all probably be frolicking on a cloud nowadays, especially as she hasn't heard from them in years, so no bunking in with them then:o(     

Anyway, what about going abroad, I asks?  Like...planning and saving up for trip of a lifetime, travelling around.  People do it all the time, don't they?  It'll be great, all the planning and research, etc..then brain engages....  What the hell am I doing?   I hate flying, like I REALLY hate it.....  I would need major brainwashing to get over that and probably knock out drops to get me on a plane.  But, still...need to do something.  Must be brave.  lol    Life's too short and all that, plus think of the educational rewards for Junior..and I have always wanted to whale watch:o)

I bites lip and wonder whether Junior will suggest Australia.  If she does, then I hate to think what mega amount of Paul McKenna hypnotism I'd need to cope with my little phobia?  Eeek!

Anyway, North America it is, then:o)  For starters:o)    They like home edders there, don't they?  Due to my little flying phobia, I have visions of us rowing across:o)  This is obviously a non starter as I can swim as much as I can fly.   Ben Fogle and James Cracknell did it, didn't they?  Maybe they'd 'escort' us over?  lol

Then me thinks..."Hmmm.. wonder, once we get there and they hopefully let us in,  if it would be safe to travel across this huge mass of land, with it just being the two of us?

Worse still,  how long will it take to save up?"   Sigh.......

Anyway, got to have the means of getting out of the country legally, first.   Have you seen how much it is for a passport nowadays?   It was only about a fiver in my Ibiza days:o)  And you weren't chipped and barcoded for the pleasure!!  Such is progress.

Bart has now moved and decided to take up residence on my Wacom mat.   Think this is a subtle hint to open him up another tin of tuna:o)