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)  

Sunday 9 August 2009

Grumpy

Hot weather!!

Brings out the old grumpy in me....and Junior!!

So, to avoid headaches, we stay indoors until Ray has gone down:o)  

Then, we sit outside with Luna.  (I remember the names from Bear in the Big Blue House):o))   The stuff we used to watch!!  lol 

Ahhhh!!!   Cool breeze,  Loverley:o)  Peaceful.....   Only to end up back inside after ten minutes.

Bloody mosquitoes and midges!!!!

Roll on Autumn:o)


Saturday 8 August 2009

People of the same ilk

We are going to be mobile soon !!

Brother has found a little car, suitable for arthriticky moi and trendy enough for Junior:o)  And....it's a nice colour!  lol   So, we should soon be winging our way here, there and everywhere:o)

The mogs are fed up.  Busting a gut to get out into the fresh air.   This enforced imprisonment is getting them down..and me.  Junior is absolutely peed off with the cat haters of the world.  She doesn't hate anyone, just hates nastiness.   Anyway, a new cat enclosure should be up and working soon, so they, the mogs, can sit,  sunbathe and climb the greenery and do feline things (apart from killing birds) safe from the cat haters round here.  The lovely local cat rescue volunteers have given me some tips and moral support.   Have put our names down as volunteers.   I was beginning to feel a little isolated, not knowing anyone around here of the same ilk, if you get my meaning, but I feel much better now....and so does Junior.   We have, finally, met like-minded people.   The cats at the local rescue centre made a beeline for Junior when we had a look at their garden enclosure....which was absolutely lovely.    The lady who runs it is...what can I say.....fantastic...and the cats are so well looked after.  She says that nobody wants black or black and white cats. There were plenty there and all absolutely lovely natured.  

Camera batteries need charging up, otherwise I would put photos up.  Slaps wrist!!!

Hope everyone is ok.


Friday 7 August 2009

Little So and Sos

Oh, my cats are causing havoc!

Came home tonight to find a neighbour, with apron on and younger than moi, at my gate.

Apparently, my mogs have taken a liking to her garden and have been PARTAYING in her annuals!!!!!

Sigh.......

Little sods are now behind lock and key and giving me THE LOOK.  

Let me out....perleeeeese!!!

Arghhhhh!


Thursday 6 August 2009

Poor Mog

The cat is missing Mother:o(

He paces around, miaowing and crying.  'Tis awful to witness.

Junior does her best to molly coddle and gee him up!!  She loves the cat as much as her grandmother does.  He is nothing special to look at.  Just an ordinary mog (bit large, though).  J is now asleep.  I type here and cat jumps up and cries at my keyboard.

I could cry, too.

Tuesday 4 August 2009

Parent and Animal Rights

Mother has moved.

New place is lovely.. three times the size of previous place, but still she manages to fill it with boxes and bags of stuff!!  All precious:o)))

Junior and I are pooped.  Days of ferrying to and fro of all her stuff...and having to cope with Mother's emotions..which are a bit fragile at the mo.   They, naturally, affect us too.

You see, she can't have pets at this place.  So, her cat is now living with us, even though he's an indoor mog.  Mother feels guilty and all that, seeing that 'he' adopted 'her' eight years ago, so he's getting on a bit.  But, she had to move for her health.  Council didn't give a stuff when she asked for a one bed place over and over again and they told her she could carry on living in a bedsit, even at 80 and to thank her lucky stars that she had a roof over her head!!   Some way to treat the elderly!!   Mother has been crying her eyes out non stop.    She says she can't get used to not having 'someone' there,  to talk to.  Tv and radio are not enough!  He was someone to hug and hold:o)))  Suffice it to say, I do not have a high opinion of that council at the moment.  They absolutely stink!!   

Anyway, Junior has taken over the mantle of 'New Owner'  Mother is paying her!!   lol.  So, she is spoiling 'new cat' rotten:o).  Trouble is, resident cats have sniffed out tuna and red salmon that Mother has provided for pampered cat.  They are not putting up with their usual 'up market' dried complete food and are demanding equal rights!!   lol   Mother's cat is residing in the kitchen for the mo and we are picking the right moment for introductions!!  But I can't help thinking that he would be completely harmless in Mother's new place, being an indoor type and very quiet.  It's such a shame.   Wish I could win the Lottery or something and make it right for her.

If I ever get to be God, I will ban all this unnecessary crap and rudeness and sack all nasty council officials!!

Rant over.

Not nice to witness your elderly parent crying nonstop.  It sucks big time.  Not right.