This is the Barker-family.info web site, the personal pages and projects of Nigel, Jan, Emily, Lucy and Georgina Barker.
Nigel Barker, Jan Barker, Emily Barker, Lucy Barker, Georgina Barker
Prestonpans, Prestonpandemonium, Monkey Loft Comics, Three Harbours Art Festival, Nulsh, Malcy Duff
Prestonpans, John Rattray, Book Crossing, Comics, Comics Quiz, EC War Comics Index, I Love You Toast, Toast in the Post
Prestonpans Nursery School Recipe Book
If you can see this text then your browser doesn't support or isn't configured for Cascading Style Sheets, or, erm, our template is broken again, so this page isn't appearing as we intended ...
2007 has been a good year.
As always, I'm speaking from a personal perspective rather than Barker Family Inc. but I hope they might feel the same despite it being a year beset with health problems and unemployment.
I ended last year saying I was going to be 'a little selfish'. Of course I haven't been selfish, at least I hope I haven't. But I have found myself in the unusual position of saying no to some people and gratefully accepting help offered from others when the need arose. In doing so I've cut down on contact with negative and duplicitous folk and have encountered many nice and similarly-minded people. My mental health is benefiting greatly.
A big part of trying to deal with other people's antics is attempting to understand the reason behind it. Be it an officious colleague who feels out of their intellectual depth or, a fantasist who doesn't have the emotional strength to deal with the truth - I'm going to try to view their behaviour as their coping strategy. I don't need to let it upset me.
Our hoped-for travelling didn't come to fruition. In fact it has been a very low key year - we didn't hold a comic mart or take part in Beachwatch this year. There have only been two guests staying in the Monkey Loft: Nigel and I on our only night out this year. However, we have spent loads of time outdoors and met up with many friends, old and new.
As for the future…well, like the majority of the population I aim to
lose weight (and manage my time better and make plans for my return to gainful
employment). Unlike the majority of the population I plan to drink more. We
rarely drink so, on the rare occasions we do, we get rather, erm, tipsy. Binge
drinking the tabloids would call it.
I really don't know why we receive quite so many visitors to our webpages,
and my blog in particular, but, thank you very much for visiting. We plan
to overhaul the site soon and hopefully I will have a blog where you can leave
your comments. I look forward to hearing from you!
Newhailes is probably the closest National Trust property to us, yet we hadn't visited it until today. The easiest way to get there was by train from Prestonpans to Musselburgh and follow the footpath for 10 minutes or so. The house itself is closed for the season but the grounds are open all year round. We were on the hunt for a geocache but first we had to solve some clues, the answers to which were dotted around the beautiful grounds. What a gem of a place. And a successful mission. Unfortunately I forgot my camera but we'll definately return.
I really want to try some more geocaches, especially via train. There are loads of caches hidden throughout the county as this map shows.
---ooOoo---
I thought it might be interesting to put my blog text in a word analyser and see which words I use most. Unfortunately, when I tried to do this I got the message "Only 100,000 characters allowed. You have 238,000 too many". Clearly I blether too much.
The words I have used most frequently over the past three months are:
I'm
Christmas Georgie today Emily Nigel Lucy really I've didn't going being another
because nursery cards nice can't girls books myself lovely actually coffee
used phone things into bag kids ideas blog birthday moaning stuff along days
waste trousers willing reading thanks decided around couldn't tomorrow doesn't
festive clothes bazaar later finished trying outfit Lidl however enjoyed etc
although parcel meeting glasses hours using makes parents instead seems shouting
favourite prize shopping including lots couple saying Prestonpans fortunately
everyone beautiful playing currently photos nearly wine bags someone mum keys
wearing Musselburgh anything afternoon arrived different started despite wouldn't
apples considerably ebay selection seen having price fairy delighted Pennypit
lights coal true raffle without interesting Halloween spare hardly making
traditional spectacles session file working newspaper Carmel gym library setting
lunch fayre included school's managed lives ordered longer yesterday furniture
sale looking presents missed surely funky taking met effectively tickets isn't
outside project bulbs involves pleasant mobile feeling unfortunately talking
I'll wee pleased eh Diwali.
(Uber obsessives can read the full report here).
'Litter' wasn't the most oft-used word - but I still manage to talk rubbish!
Website of the day: A Stupid Bag - You can never have too many 'bags for life' - you just need lots of lifetimes.
My day began with coffee and toast with strawberry & champagne conserve - part of our wonderful Fairtrade hamper from Christopher [hug].
After a half-hearted attempt at housework, some tears over arithmetic, and several squabbles, we split into two teams: Nigel with Lucy & Georgie in the Aroma Bistro Gang; and Emily and I in the Musselburgh shopping squad. It was wonderfully bright morning with terrific views across the Forth.
Emily had some money to spend but was torn between spending it and keeping it. I had no such 'cake and eat it' concerns and bought a string of chandelier lights in Woolworths End of Year Clearout for £5, a cheese grater for £2.50 and six teaspoons. Exciting stuff eh?
Website of the day: Primary Worksheets - a great maths resource from Reception Year to Year 6.
The first story in The Book of Other People is 'Judith Castle' by David Mitchell. Judith Castle asserts that there are three types of families: 1) Those who participate in each other's lives; 2) Those who simply report back to each other and 3) Those who do neither. (I'm typing this from memory but you get the drift).
Nigel's parents came to visit today. The kids were delighted to see them and it was particularly nice to see Simon and Carina whom we haven't seen since the same time last year. It occured to me that I didn't actually know the four guests any better now than I did when I first met them. Sure I know facts about them and their little routines and quirks (even to the point of being able to play Mother-in-Law Bingo* - and if there isn't such a game then there should be). But...I don't know them. Crucially, knowing someone is essential to participating in someone's life.
Does it matter if people are in different family types? Well, not if you are in type 2 or type 3 because you don't know what you are missing. But Type 1 people might find it confusing. As for me, this information was a revelation. I feel I don't need to understand what makes my extended family tick and suddenly, it all seems so much easier.
(* rules - cup of tea? backhanded compliment? Homebase anecdote? motorway story? HOUSE!)
Website of the day: Contemporist - gorgeous interiors, buildings, and gorgeousness generally.
We decided to take a trip to the shops - our first venture outdoors in days. Other than spotting a discarded Viagra packet (how festive!) and delivering a letter which had been wrongly delivered to our house, it was an unremarkable journey.
I've finished reading Two
Caravans
I'm in the process of updating my pages on the Barker Family website but it's going to take a while. Look here for a sneak preview of my Books and Bookcrossing page.
Website of the day: Tacky Christmas Yards - only a few days left to submit photos of the garish festive displays.
I'll spare you the details of Georgie's upgrading from pull-ups to real pants but I had to cut her out of the first pair.
---ooOoo---
Christmas morning began with the traditional creeping down the stairs to "see if he'd been" (he had) and the traditional breakfast of selection box.
Lunch was pleasant. My cracker contained a tape measure - a reminder if ever I needed one that I must lose some weight.
My pressies included a Poland
travel guide
The long-awaited Dr Who Christmas Special was a little disappointing. Eastenders and Coronation Street were desperately sad.
Today has been largely spent playing games and doing crafts.
---ooOoo---
Thanks Nigel for fixing my blog template.
It is our 5th wedding anniversary today. Wood. The day started with pain au chocolate in bed. Very nice.
Nigel had work, the girls had school & nursery, so it was business as usual starting off with a meeting of the Parent Council. It was quite a productive meeting during which many ideas were put forward and several things were progressed. Miles better than meetings where people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time (to listen to people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time to listen to people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time to listen to people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time to listen to people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time to listen to people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time to listen to people waste time moaning about how few people are willing to give up their time ad infinitum).
After some initial shyness, Lucy enjoyed her nursery party. She was quite exhausted afterwards though and fell asleep just as our Indian food was being delivered (vegetable bahar korma, vegetable dansak, chana masala). It's the last day of school tomorrow and I'm already demob happy.
Homonym of the day: Would that I be wooed in a wood.
In the playground a poor soul was trying to extracate themself from The Oddity's clutches. She's like some perverse angel of mercy, swooping down on the recently bereaved, estranged or depressed to glean a nugget of information with which to feed the assembled coven moments later. A sickening spectacle.
I was glad to escape to Christine's for a coffee, although our plans to go to McDonald's were scuppered when Georgie was sick. I'd been a bit unwell too so took my pal up on her offer to collect Emily. There was a bit of a communication breakdown which resulted in Emily being brought home by the head teacher. Oops.
I've finished reading "The
Moor's Last Sigh", Rushdie's
masterly
epic, which is undoubtedly my favourite book this year.
Website of the day: Peridot Press - stunning items by Jessica Pope. I love the Button Trees.
Thing that don't impress me much...
Corporatespeak - it really marks you out as a junior. Have you ever heard anyone at board level speaking in buzz?
Namedropping - wasted on me. I don't know an x-factor celeb from an x-box. But then, then I don't assume a viscount to be a chocolate covered biscuit either.
Whingeing about Christmas - don't celebrate it then. You don't hear me moaning about Be Nice to Nettles Week coming around so quickly or the fact I'm expected to be jolly on Speak Like a Pirate's Day.
Stuff - The fact I don't own a 50" TV goes some way to explaining why I do own two large houses.
Miaowwww.
Website of the day: How Many 5 year's Could you Take on in a fight - this is disturbing yet I still wanted to know the answer (9).
I don't know whether Mars is entering Jupiter or some or such nonsense but it was a morning for collywobbles. Emily decided that the outfit she had chosen wasn't nice enough and generally went into meltdown.
Lucy was okay until we reached nursery when she declared she had the wrong colour of tights. She then wouldn't enter the classroom and stubbornly sat in the cloakroom. When I returned three hours later a teacher said no-one had been able to understand what she had been asking for. They got as far as "I want..." but couldn't fathom out the rest and she had got very upset. I asked Lucy who tearfully explained she had been saying "I want...to say sorry".
Only Georgie remained emotionally stable - at least until she climbed on the nursery furniture and fell on the floor. She now has an egg-shaped lump on the front of her head.
...Notwithstanding the above, they are still more sensible than the vast majority of the hissyfitters I encounter.
I don't exactly have an abundance of spare time on my hands, (despite what people who 'work' might think) so I have to use my time effectively, use online collaboration etc. It amazes me the amount of people who cannot grasp 'smart working' and are simply unable to conduct discussions outwith a traditional setting. It does make me wonder whether homeworking is ever likely to work on a large scale or will remain the domain of the truly self-motivated.
Website of the day: iGoogle - your personalised Google page.
I was messing about with a bank note generator today. Specifically, I was creating my own Bank of Jan banknotes. When I tried to print them, instead of the janknote appearing, there was a Rules for Use message - how did they know??!!
Lucy was very happy after going to a trampoline party. It emerged she didn't actually go on the trampoline but still had a great time. Quite how Nigel managed to get lost on the way there is beyond me....
Still, he redeemed himself later when he fixed the hot tap. I've been filling up the bath using a jug.
Website of the day: Leo Kempf Cardboard Furniture - it's furniture, it's cardboard, it's designed by Leo Kempf (he of the license plate table)
As Lucy and Georgie were up till the early hours this morning, we are all very tired and grumpy. Actually, it is just me that is tired and grumpy.
My hair is sticking straight up. I look like Sid Vicious. Actually, I quite like it.
Website of the day: Food Calendar - how much am I looking forward to Marzipan Day??
Annemarie wasn't able to join us after all, so the trip to Kinnaird Park consisted of Carmel, me and t'other Jan. Why do I know so many teachers? I don't know. It's not a profession I've ever considered, even fleetingly. The film was good but long. I'm not good at sitting still - even at home where I have my comfort blankets of notebook, pen and coffee. That's the problem with being a megalomaniac, I'm always convinced my greatest ideas will come to me when I have no pen and paper and they will simple evaporate into the ether to be adopted by someone else.
I'm still turbo-charged this week. Ideas are formulating quicker than I can implement them and, as always, I get frustrated that things don't progress at my current (manic) pace. I guess it's a bit draining for everyone around me but hey, ho, I'll crash and burn soon.
---ooOoo---
The school nativity was lovely and Emily was a very beautiful angel. Lucy and Georgie were too excited and kept shuffling about. Georgie took a shine to a baby sitting behind us. I kept an eye on her and had to stop her from putting her dummy in the baby's mouth. That was the least of it. Moments later, the buggy toppled backwards. Thankfully the baby was fine and grinning away as she was well padded and securely strapped in but I felt dreadful (as did Georgie).
---ooOoo---
Oh, and I would like to publicly thank Nigel for bringing me a mug of real, made-in-a-cafetiere, coffee in bed every morning.
Website of the day: Caring Christmas Trees - your last chance to buy a tree which helps homeless people in Scotland
Essentially there are three ways to accommodate a growing family in Prestonpans: 1) Buy a new-build (more rooms but not necessarily space - and not a lot of ground), 2) Hope one of the few large old villas come on the market (and wait for the sellers to name their price), or 3) Extend, Extend, Extend. This is certainly a popular option. There can be few streets in Prestonpans that don't currently have building work going on. Some have used the plot imaginatively while others have squeezed a side elevation into every last drop of remaining space at the expense of a garden.
Of course, none of this actually helps first time buyers get on the property ladder so it was with interest that I read about the plans for the old Mercat House building. In a joint venture, This is G2 and Lidl have lodged an application (Number 07/01142/FUL) to erect 56 flats, substation, cycle store and associated works on the site.
This is G2 is part of the Taylor Wimpey group specialising in affordable contemporary 1 & 2 bed homes. And Lidl, well, they are of course the current owners of the building and are facing opposition from those who favour a community buy-out to create an Arts Centre. As much I would like a Prestonpans Artshole, preferably with cinema, freecycle shop and wholefood cafe, I can see both sides of the argument.
Tonight I'm off to the cinema with Lidl's fiercest critic...and one of their biggest fans. Which sums up what living in a small town is all about. You disagree. Sometimes loudly. You cross paths frequently. You hope that Denzel Washington will placate all parties.
Website of the day: American Gangster - based on the true story of heroin smuggled in the caskets of dead Vietnam soldiers
My poor addled brain couldn't fathom out what was wrong with Lucy's feet this morning. I had packed her off to nursery with two gym shoes - both left feet (one hers, one Georgie's).
I took Georgie along to Patchwork EH32's Christmas Party where she thoroughly enjoyed Pass the Parcel. She was less sure about meeting Santa and grabbed her present so quickly I didn't have time to take a picture. Some of the babies were dressed in tiny Santa outfits and one teeny tiny one was wearing a reindeer outfit. Awww. I had a mulled wine. Yum. And on that subject...
...I thought I had signed up to VirginWine's Winebank (you pay in £20 a month and Virgin top this up by £20 every quarter - to spend on anything on their website) but, I had actually signed up to their Discovery Club (they send you a mixed case of wine each quarter). They sorted it out over the phone for me.
---ooOoo---
I really need to start adding some 2008 events to what2doineh32. One event which sounds interesting is the 24-hr Burns-a-thon on 22nd January.
Website of the day: Pajama City - Jim Jams with feet - for adults - just plain wrong.
The nearest I get to urbexing or spelunking these days in sticking my head in the outside power chamber to plug in the fairy lights. It is a yucky task and involves millions of slaters falling in my hair. I don't mind the trillions of snails and spiders so much but those armour-plated scurrying monsters...urrggghh.
It was very nearly as unpleasant as when I stood on the scales this morning and got a big fright. A colossal, huge, gigantic fright. I shall apply myself to the job of losing weight after Christmas, or after all the selection boxes are reduced to 20p, whichever comes later.
Website of the day: The Small Object - hand made luvlies from Sarah Neuburger
Another school has banned individual Christmas cards - this time the reason cited is 'hurt feelings' when a child is left out. Am I being thick here? Even with my limited grasp on arithmetic I can see that a class card doesn't help.
School's suggestion: 30 kids each send 1 card to "the class" = 30 cards. Number of children receiving a card = 0
My suggestion: 30 cards get passed round children to sign = 30 cards. Number of children receiving a card = 30.
---ooOoo---
Emily's Festive Thought for the Day: "If you die on Christmas Eve do your presents get buried with you?".
Webpage of the day: Emilyisms - bonkers things said my eldest child
We took a wander around the town to deliver some Christmas cards but took cover in Somerfield when it started to rain. We've never used their home shopping service before and were impressed how easy it was. Bargains included a box of 12 Christmas crackers for £2.50 and a bottle of Glenlivet reduced from £24.99 to £14.99.
Back at home, we put up the Christmas tree and sorted out the decorations and tested the lights. We are not the sort of family who tastefully coordinates their festive decor each year. Instead we add to the decorations stockpile each year with us each choosing a representative tree decoration. One year I chose a very lovely fairy climbing a ladder which, unfortunately, has lost its head during its hibernation in the loft. I was reluctant to throw out my decapitated self so I now sport a sellotape 'scarf'.
Website of the day: Elvis Shakespeare - Music and Books
I'm less manic than yesterday thankfully. Our final Busy Bugs session at the Pennypit was great fun and burnt off some energy. We were using nylon scarves to make the kids 'fly' through the air and slide along the floor. It was reminiscent of rhythmic gymnastics (but less graceful!).
I've updated our front page with a Christmas greeting and added a Cluster Map which is looking a bit sad at the moment.
Website of the day: Hi-Ex! - Highland International Comic Expo at Eden Court, Inverness on February 2nd and 3rd
Seagulls circled above us as Debbie and I chatted. One pooped on Georgie's leg. She was not pleased. I can't say I was overjoyed when she did a wee on my office chair - and I sat on it.
Maybe it was Georgie's way of telling me I was spending too much time at my desk. I have been pretty buzzed and was jotting down ideas all day. It is great to get the creative juices flowing.
I still feel quite wired (despite Joy Division playing in the background). Maybe I need horlicks...
Nigel made a superb dinner in celebration of Finland's National Day. It comprised beetroot, bulgar wheat and onion which we had with hard boiled eggs and a couple of glasses of sauvignon blanc. It is also St Nicholas Day (Sinterklaas/Sveti Nikola/São Nicolau) and I'm beginning to feel quite festive.
Website of the day: Lint Mill - a one day artist workshops including three course lunch and afternoon tea - how terribly civilised.
Today is International Day of the Volunteer - I wonder how Gillian Gibbons will be celebrating the day, and her freedom..
Here in Scotland, there is apparently a shortage of volunteers and it is claimed that this is due to a fear of being falsely accused of harming children and/or form-filling. I am doubtful that this is a genuine concern. There were a few disgruntled parents at nursery today who, In accordance with child protection guidelines, could not accompany their kids to the loo. Anything which protects children has my wholehearted approval (and surely such measures also afford the adult protection from allegations?).
The 3 Harbours Arts Festival held a volunteers' meeting this evening and, surprise, surprise, they are short of volunteers to fetch and carry. I would rather fundraise any day of the week than try to drum up volunteers. When I have had to do this I have always found that a little bribery (booze and chips!), encouragement and appreciation goes a very long way.
For our part, we are going to hold another comic mart - Prestonpandemonium III. It's good to have a project on the go and start scribbling down ideas. Reading through my project book I see all sorts of scrawls that no longer make any sense, e.g.:
C. birth Tuesday - not Sat!
Bish.Staunton
N2yo.com
Alexis
Website of the day: Bulbs Unlimited - kits to create works of art from old light bulbs, I think.
It wasn't me. Just for the record. And, for what it's worth I don't agree with it. In case you were wondering...
What am I on about? In the same school bulletin announcing the £1,500 made on Saturday (£50 of which included sale of Christmas cards) was the request that only one 'class' card be sent rather than individual ones. Apparently it's an eco thing.
Arrggghhhh. Emily has already written out individual cards to her classmates (improving handwriting is one of her targets this year).
In some ways it would have been better if the school had gone the whole hog and banned all cards (like these two Welsh schools eager to secure eco-status) rather than imposing this new rule. At least that way, the eco-message is reinforced. This half-hearted, last minute message doesn't convince anyone of the school's green credentials. Besides, I think if you are going to change long standing traditions, you have to, not only be very sure of your grounds, but have some pretty imaginative alternatives, convincing ambassadors and a lengthy period of notice.
The school took a bold stance in banning balloon releases. They received support because they made the decision for the right reasons. If this new initiative is perceived to have been made for any reason other than the environment (e.g. to save time, stamp out 'popularity contests' etc) then the school will lose credibility.
A much less contentious issue is the Turner Prize. Conceptual artist, Mike Wallinger, has been awarded the prize of £25,000 for his facsimile of Brian Haw's peace protest demonstration. I love the Turner Prize. I love off-the-wall ideas, art installation and bonkers creativity generally. A now long dead professor and I were once discussing the Turner Prize when my thick, pushy, social-climbing boss muscled in on the conversation. "Ooh, Turner's brilliant, like, watercolours, yah, terrif, yah". Hmmm.
It really is a bad idea to bluff your way through a subject you know nothing about. You will get caught out. You will look ridiculous. I never worry about saying "I don't understand", "I've never heard of that" or "I don't know". That doesn't mean to say I never make a fool of myself - a colleague told me he was going to Parsifal at the weekend. "Is that in Eastern Europe?" I asked. "No my dear, it's an opera by Wagner" he replied kindly, before adding gently "...but not a very well known one".
Website of the day: - About.com's pages on Hanukkah - Happy Hanukkah
1. Someone remarks that you haven't met up for ages. 2. They then moan and complain about everything and anything. 3. Points 1 + 2 are not unrelated.
I've a few little tasks I must apply myself to today. Both teeny jobs which always slip through the great net of hauswerk. First is to get the cordless phones working. Currently, the only working telephone is the old dial phone (a 746 for telephony geeks) which is useless when faced with an automated system requesting you "press hash to continue".
Another wee job is to fathom out how to get the outside light working (how many Barkers does it take to change a lightbulb etc etc).
And review the pile of notes requesting money for school lunches, parties, raffle tickets etc. Don't they know this is frugal month?
---ooOoo---
Georgie has a new game - pretending to be frightened of my coat. This involves her tearfully pointing at my parka saying "scared". I then take it from the banister where I left it and put it in the cloakroom. Georgie then pounds on the door shouting "naughty coat".
She is refusing to sit in the buggy which would be okay if she would hold my hand or travel at a pace somewhere between a snail and an exocet missile. I let her post some letters and when the biggest one wouldn't fit she had a complete hissyfit. She took off her coat and threw it on the ground, closely followed by her hat and her gloves. She then clung to my legs saying "I want to sorry you".
---ooOoo---
I received a set of USB Christmas lights from ebay "for being a special customer". Crikey, don't tell my husband. He thinks I hardly ever go on t'Internet.
Website of the day: Using English - what's not to love about a forum whose members discuss the Gunning Fog Index?!
I planted some crocuses, daffodils and narcissi this morning. While raking up yet more leaves (and apples) I saw the tiny heads of snowdrops.
Nigel has been such a grump. I was tempted to thwack him over the head with my spade and put him alongside the bulbs. But I didn't. The November photographs are now published and the December ones will hopefully not include Nigel-shaped mounds of earth in the back garden.
He's lovely really.
Website of the day: Not for Sale - 2007 commemorates the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act outlawing slavery throughout the British Empire.
After a lazy start to the day we sauntered across to St Gabriel's where their Christmas Fayre was in full swing. (UPDATE: They raised £1900). We had the briefest of look rounds (to steal their ideas) before heading down to the Infant School's Christmas Bazaar.
What a joy it was to be a punter rather than an organiser. There wasn't a huge selection of books but as they were only 15p I stocked up on Harlan Coben, Christopher Brookmyre and Hanif Kureishi as well at lots of children's books. The items made by the children were very, very good. One class had photographed the wildflowers and trees and produced notecards from the result. Another class were selling notelets of a picture of Preston Tower. There were pebble paperweights, owl calendars and tree decorations. How could I resist? The only problem is whether I will be able to part with the notecards.
Lucy was too nervous to see Santa but both she and Emily had their faces painted. All three were very pleased with the Sit 'N' Spin game I bought for 50p.
When the date was first set, I was concerned that, by clashing with so many other events on the same day, the school would suffer financially. I was delighted to be proved wrong. As it turned out, it seems, like us, many people were doing the rounds of all the various sales. The school raised almost £1,500 which will go a very long way to purchasing much-needed playground equipment.
Nigel took a stall in the Pennypit at the Special Needs Youth Club Christmas Fair and, although he didn't sell too many comics or newspaper bags, it was also a very busy event. Nigel's take on the event can be read in his blog. (UPDATE: They raised £960)At packing up time I didn't know if a stallholder was offering to give the girls an item or trying to sell it. I averted any awkwardness by swapping a pack of newspaper bags.
Website of the day: Build a City - buy a plot in the virtual neighbourhood of your choice and support the work of Shelter.
To say my morning went pear-shaped is a bit of an understatement.
We were all ready running late when I realised I couldn't find my keys. While I was hunting high and low, Lucy decided to change her outfit, Georgie required a nappy change and the phone rang. I used my emergency set of keys and arrived at school 20 minutes late. I joined the other other mums who were setting up the bazaar in the gym hall which was partitioned off to allow the children to practise their carols. Unfortunately, this configuration meant I was effectively trapped until 10.30 and missed Busy Bugs. While in the gym hall, Georgie managed to spill juice down her front and was running about half-dressed with yet another dirty nappy (she's poorly, poor thing). I bought a t-shirt from the nearly new stall (the first of many pre-bazaar purchases). In the panic to get out of the house, I had left my bag so had no nappies, phone, money ... I raced along to the Pennypit to give my apologies and drop off traybake for the Special Needs Youth Club Summer Fayre (also taking place tomorrow, between 1 and 3). I then ran back to the house and gave the girls a snack while I had another fruitless search for the keys before retrieving my bag and returning to the school.
Setting up the Christmas bazaar involves sorting through the mountains and deciding where they are to go, e.g. tombola prize or bric-a-brac; setting up the catering side of things (a bit of a mystery to me) and creating Santa's Grotto. And folding lots and lots of raffle tickets. Tomorrow there will be the main raffle, two tombolas (one adult, one child), games (treasure maps, guess the number of sweets etc), facepainting, stalls (books, bric-a-brac, clothing, plants, items made by the pupils). There wasn't nearly enough helpers and after school finished the numbers dwindled further. I had to leave sometime after three because Georgie was getting quite upset after yet another 'accident'. I have to say I had been very impressed with the childrens' behaviour. Julie, who had been there since 9, was still there, along with Christine and the head teachers. I do hope everything will be ready on time tomorrow.
We arrived home to a pile of mail and....my keys. Had they been posted through the door by a kind stranger? Were they there all the time? Had the sprites returned them to me? Maybe I'll never know. One thing I do know is that the school is going to have to find some new helpers/sprites.
Website of the day: Scotland
- the official gateway - Happy St Andrew's Day.
(Today, on discovering an item bearing a Union Jack in the bric-a-brac,
a helper proclaimed "That's not very Scottish!" and
joked(?) "Get it out of here!". I wonder why
anti-English sentiments are still so readily acceptable. No-one
questionned the "Alba" car sticker despite the lack of Gaels present.)
I am 38! Twice the age I was when I met Nigel (and twice as wise, gorgeous and, erm, heavy).
It is 1.30 - my favourite time of the day - when the sun streams through the window and we catch 'rainbows' at my desk. I am surrounded by roses, chocolates, fudge, wine, lotions and potions, a massage voucher, chandeliers, books and bling!
I am very happy. I am also a bit thick sometimes...no, really, it's true. I am making yet more traybake and decided to use a nice cold can of coke as a rolling pin (very clever). It's thirsty work so I decided to open the can (not very clever). SCOOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you friends and family.
Website of the Day: Great Green Goods - a blog of unusual eco-friendly products. Their recycled tree ornaments page is an absolute joy.
I had a pleasant meeting at school this morning. Theoretically, Lucy could start school in August next year but my gut feeling is that she would benefit from having an extra year at nursery. Nursery, as ever, are supportive of my decision and I feel very relieved that she will be in their expert hands for a bit longer. The downside to deferring, from a logistical point of view, is that Georgie will begin nursery in August and, unless there is a morning space for her they will be in different classes and my day will be spent going to and fro. And, of course, Emily leaves Infants to got to Primary School next year. My girls are growing up so fast.
Not so pleasant was having to deal with the fallout from other people's thoughtlessness...again. Emily informed me I have to buy her a console because X is giving her a Simpsons game. As we are a Nintendo/X-Box/Playstation-free zone I was not best pleased. But considering this person gave her a cat's toy and a peg bag last Christmas I shouldn't really be surprised.
Website of the day: Albanian Overview - It is Albania's National Day today. Our former tenants painted their national emblem above the fireplace. Delightful.
My time wasn't used terribly effectively today. I had to take Lucy and Georgie with me to Musselburgh which I always dread because it invariably involves getting off the bus early when one of them feels sick. Fortunately, Lucy's pal Thomas was there to keep them occupied on the outward journey but on the return journey we ended up walking half the way home. They were then exhausted from their adventures and were both fell asleep in the afternoon. I was very grateful to Heather for collecting Emily. Of course, because of their afternoon power nap, neither Lucy nor Georgie will sleep tonight.
I must say a big thank you to Alan for loitering around Victoria tube station on my behalf yesterday to bag a freebie poster.
Other thing I really must do over the next few days include updating the website and fix broken links; finishing Christmas cards; labelling Christmas presents; sorting out stuff for the Christmas Fayre; copying photos to CD for a friend; and making traybake for Christmas Fayre. Finding a spare couple of hours is proving a bit tricky.
Website of the day: Fork - the zine for gardeners with soil in their soul
As the coal train passed my window I thought about the huge machinery I saw at the coal store. I wonder how much longer I will be able to enjoy the view as consent has now been granted for the reserved matters to do with the housing development.
---ooOoo---
I'm being given the runaround from a company we have regular dealings with. It's irritating to be fobbed off on the phone but even more so when I strongly suspect they wouldn't behave so badly with Nigel (or any other creature of the male persuasion).
Please can you click on this link and enter your birthday and I'll send you a specially chosen e-card when it's your special day.
I really like Ladybird's "Well Loved Tales" but some of them are quite nonsensical, for example:
The Princess and the Pea - she passed the test by complaining
she couldn't sleep comfortably - surely 'real' princesses have better
manners than that?!
Puss in Boots - the Miller's Son/pretend prince and his new bride move
into the ogre's castle - wouldn't the furniture be too big?
Rapunzel - how did she get in the tower in the first place?
Snow-White and Rose-Red - the girls are too young to marry the prince
and his brother, surely?
The Elves and the Shoemaker - I'm no financial wizard but the sums
don't add up. Regardless of who makes the shoes, if the sale of them
only finances the purchase of new leather, no profit can ever be made
Rumpelstiltskin - the King threatens to kill the girl unless she turns
the straw into gold, later she is 'overjoyed' to marry him.
Sleeping Beauty - this makes no sense whatsoever
---ooOoo---
I discovered Dreamweaver's spellcheck (Shift+F7) today. I had to add a few words, innit...
---ooOoo---
I made casserole with dumplings today. It was really nice - even if I say so myself.
Yep, I know, talking about casserole isn't very cool, edgy or shocking but you know something.........I used to be scared to have a blog thinking that everyone else has something more interesting, funky or right on to say. A lot do, but OMGA (Oh My Giddy Aunt), there's a lot of lying, self-obsessed, delusional, illiterate Emperors-in-new clothes in cyberspace. Fortunately for them there are also a load of sycophants.
Everyone, get a blog!
Website of the day: Shinyshack -
Extremely reasonably priced gifts and gadgets that are just that wee
bitty different
Emily and I walked along to the Power Station with Annemarie, Sarah and Esme where we joined up with some others from the Prestonlinks Woodland Group for a planting session. I'm pretty hopeless at things like this but Sandra kept me right and it was a really productive morning. We planted gorse, blackthorn and hazel along the top and sides of the bund around the coal store.
The highlight was Craig Yorkston's tour of the coal store. I took lots of pictures that will appear in the November photos. Sandra and I were talking about other places we would like to see 'behind the scenes' and it turns out she once visited the old GPO headquarters in Waterloo Places which must have been fascinating. Thanks Malcolm for the lift back.
Meanwhile, the few September photos we took can be seen here. I love the colours in the October photos which have been uploaded here.
Website of the day: Buy Nothing Day - Shop Less - Live More!
The girls and I went to Donna's this afternoon. Her extension is finished and looking fabulous. I enjoyed far too many glasses of wine with her and Jill. Fortunately Kenny gave us a lift home so I avoided being charged with being drunk in charge of three kids.
Website of the day: The Racing Pigeon - don't worry Donna, your secret is safe with me...
Self doubt and shyness have been much discussed this week. On the days when I struggle with the most mundane of tasks it's hard to believe I once held down a demanding job. It has been really refreshing to hear other mums talk about diminishing confidence post-kids and their dread of returning to the workplace. It has made me realise that my intelligence or abilities aren't in question, nor do I need to validate my choice to be a full time mum.
A group of us had gathered in the Parent's Room at school to discuss arrangements for the Christmas Bazaar and wrap Lucky Dip presents. The fire alarm went off (a faulty sensor) and, with lightning reflexes, the Head Teacher sprung to her feet and was checking the loos for stray kids. As we all hung about the playing fields waiting for the fire appliance to arrive I spotted Emily and waved to her. With her arm firmly by her side, she did the smallest possible wave so as not be uncool in front of her friends.
It was great to see the fire action plan in action as it were. Emily describes the excitement in her own words at the foot of her reports.
I've had a really nice, positive day today, and I feel really fortunate to have been able to choose to be a stay at home mum.
Website of the day: Powwowow - free voice and web conferencing (thanks to Christine for the info)
It is wet and cold. I was grateful to Julie for collecting Emily from school as Georgie jumps in every puddle and every outing necessitates another change of clothes.
This evening I went to Borders with Carmel, stopping first at Asda's stationery department. I had no idea it was so cheap! In Border's we had a good old browse of the books before having a coffee and a catch up. I really like Border's stationery section. Actually, I like all stationery departments. I can spend ages looking at notebooks and diaries. Fortunately, so can Carmel.
Currently whirring around my brain are ideas for a networking/ice-breaking event for new families to Prestonpans.
Website of the day: Spiralislanders - A two-storey home floating on an 'island' of 250,000 plastic bottles.
I love the Dewey Decimal System, I really do, but I have a shocking confession to make (librarians, you might wish to avert your eyes):
...I arrange my non-fiction books by..............colour!
As bonkers as this sounds, it actually works (because you can usually recall the spine of a book) and... it looks better.
Another thing I do is file friend's contact details under their first name in my address book. The exception being a mysterious group of eight people I file under 'C' and 11 I file under 'N'. The problem with this, otherwise perfectly sensible, system is that there are too many Js. And they change mobile number more frequently than the rest of the alphabet (or have more than one mobile phone). And they move house more than the rest of the population (or have more than one house). What is it with you Js? I'm not including myself in this. I file myself under 'O' for 'Own Number'. Logical innit?
It's been a wet and miserable day today. It is only ten steps from my back door to the Monkey Loft but I managed to get soggy several times flitting back and forth with washing and replenishing our Coke supplies - the sugary drink from Coca-Cola, not the white stuff.
Should I still be drinking Coke? I dunno. I missed my favourite laff-tivist, Mark Thomas, talking about Coca-Cola on Channel Four this evening.
Website of the day: Kids Should Be Kids - at last, a sensibly priced antidote to Bratz and other iffy clothing for children.
Lucy and I took a 26 bus to Musselburgh. En route we saw Andrew Crummy's mural at Sam Burns Yard and the start of Tom Ewing's new mural at Inchview. It looks like the former Lady Susan pub might be ready to reopen as a Chinese restaurant soon.
Woollies in Musselburgh didn't have any gym shoes so we bought trainers instead. I seldom spend time just with Lucy so took the opportunity to have lunch in "The Musselburgh Cafe" and very nice it was too.
While combing her hair this evening I noticed a section that had clearly been cut. "Lucy, have you been cutting your hair?" I ask. "Yes. With the scissors like this..." she demonstrates. It is hard to feel cross with her.
It is considerably easier to be cross with Emily who is still going through her Stig of the Dump phase. "Why can't I have a mobile phone?" she wails "Ellie has five!". There may well be five mobiles, a mobile phone mast and Ellie herself under the mountain of stuff currently on Emily's bedroom floor.
Website of the Day: London Fire Journal - In memory of the 31 people who lost their lives in the King's Cross Underground fire twenty years ago today.
Last night Nigel and I curled up and watched The Mighty Boosh - it was very funny. He seems a bit better today.
I planted a kiwi tree this morning and plan to plant some crocus bulbs tomorrow on some, neglected bit of land not too far away.
I'm really enjoying The
Moor's Last Sigh which was a
swapsie for "The Inheritance of Loss" with Mrs N.
I couldn't get into the 'Noir' book - it was just too surreal. Although my favourite painting is Salvador Dali's Metamorphosis of Narcissus, I don't like surrealism in any other medium. Hence me sitting here typing while Nigel is watching Mulholland Drive.
Website of the day: Propeller Island Hotel - a habitable work of art by German artist Lars Stroschen
I took Lucy and Georgie to Busy Bugs at the Pennypit. When asked what her name was, Georgie proudly shouted "Me Georgie!"...and continued shouting this for the next couple of hours. It was nice to chat to Anna in the cafe afterwards. Like me, she is considering returning to work in the not too distant future.
A few people have mentioned a particular post that they thought I should apply for. True, there are some aspects of the job that are "me" but, on closer inspection the job description resembles two disparate posts (each requiring different skill sets) welded haphazardly together. In other words, the local authority of trying to fill two jobs for the price of one. I strongly supect it is a poisoned chalice...but it has got me thinking...
Website of the day: Children in Need - it's that time of year again.
[I've removed the http://www.jigzone.com widget, it was taking an eternity to load.]
I really try to get to nursery on time, but I invariably meet people along the way and get blethering. I should have been on time this morning as I didn't have Georgie with me but, ironically, people stopped to ask where she was or what was in the huge box I was carrying (assorted goodies for the Christmas Bazaar courtesy of Biome Lifestyle).
Lucy has renewed her acquaintance with Lenon. Claire reminded me how the two of them used to sit together in the playpen when they were babies.
Website of the day: The Manchester Circuit Series - an offshoot of the Manchester Circle with lectures on a wide range of subjects - I think we should have one in the 'Pans.
N.B. N.B. A very, very good surprise birthday present would be a treatment with MG Therapies.
A bad surprise birthday present would be a surprise party.
A very, very bad surprise birthday present would be a surprise party, a balloon release and a selection of clothing chosen for me by a shell-suited harpy.
YOU CAN'T be too careful - Nigel told me that gamma hydroxy butyrate was found in in bindis - turns out he was talking about Bindeez.
YOU CAN'T take it with you - it is tempting to keep the Molton Brown Puritas hand wash and lotion for myself but that wouldn't be nice.
YOU CAN'T always get what you want - I get really annoyed to discover a brilliant product is only a 'concept' and doesn't exist outside a design studio.
YOU CAN'T judge a book by it's cover - but you can see the covers of the books I've read here.
YOU CAN'T beat a good laugh - thanks Heather.
Website of the day: Eat Me Crunchy - YOU CAN'T like soggy cornflakes! A bowl specifically designed for the 70% of the population that prefer their cereal crunchy.
My poor darling boy has noo_moan_ya
My poor darling boy has noo_moan_ya
That is to say, he has double pneumonia. Get well soon Nigel.
Website of the day: The Shell Grotto, Margate - Very pretty, very mysterious.
I finished the latest Ruth Rendell in the early hours of this morning. A deftly complicated, suspenseful book, "The Water's Lovely" is rich in parallels (Tess of the D'Urbervilles gets a mention).
Two of the characters are so dominated by the men in their lives it made chilling reading. There are some gloriously comic moments ("Is a socialite the same as a member of the Labour Party?") thanks to a cast of believable (and sometimes detestable) side characters including hypochondriacs, airheads, would-be poisoners and thieves.
I'm going to read "Noir" next, a novel about "political responsibility and moral choice".
---ooOoo---
I'm trying my best not to be annoyed by numpties but it's not easy.
---ooOoo---
Waving to Christopher and wishing he could be here with us.
Website of the day: Barcardi - 15,000
free memory sticks up for grabs (see under 'More Life')
Happy First Birthday Hollie and Hannah!
I am wearing black leather trousers and a black t-shirt. I mention this, not to get your pulse racing, but because this ensemble has again been downgraded. It started life as my "Second Date" outfit bought at great expense several years ago. Having been a spectacular success (Reader, I married him), my leather trousers were given a second lease of life as "easily cleaned with a baby wipe trousers" in the days I was permanently covered in baby sick. Today, they are my official "slobbing about the house feeling fat" trousers.
I hardly ever buy new and/or expensive clothes and want to clear up the "£100 haircut" myth. Once every six months I get my hair cut at Medusa. If I get my hair cut and coloured by a Creative Director, my visit, including tip, costs £100. However, if,as I have done the last couple of times, get my hair cut by a stylist and forego the colour, it costs less than £40. I spend the money I've "saved" in Musselburgh's charity shops in a guilt-free morning to myself. £200 a year to spend on myself however I like. It's hardly makes me a WAG, but it's great fun.
---ooOoo---
Nigel was in no state to look after the girls for any length of time so I could only meet up with the other Book Babes very briefly. Shame, because it seems like an age since we had a proper blether (despite our paths crossing umpteen times in the past few weeks there's been no yackety yack).
Website of the day: Pulpshop - funky stuff, irreverent stuff, nostalgic stuff.
Nigel has three marble eggs which I don't like. They never stay on their little stands and they roll about. I'm always fearful they will drop on wee toes... or fall from a first floor window killing someone below (I do have a vivid imagination). Yesterday, Georgie picked up two eggs and hit them together saying "bash, bash, bash" and the top of one sliced right off just like a boiled egg. Nigel was reading the local paper at the time and read out his 'stars' by Russell Grant: A boisterous youngster or careless pal may break something cherished or valuable...
Nigel was off work today, not mourning the loss of his beloved egg, but because he has the same horrible chesty thing I had. Fortunately for him, he got to stay in his bed while I took the girls to Andrew's 4th birthday party. They had a brilliant time on the bouncy castle, playing musical bumps and pass the parcel.
The Diwali celebrations in Leicester looked amazing. I'd love to go one year. Unfortunately, our own plans will have to be considerably downsized with Nigel being poorly.
Website of the day: A lovely video about our lovely library
There are frozen peas all over my dining room carpet.
They were used as a cold compress on Lucy's head but a second scuffle sent them (and Georgie) flying.
The peas will not get lonely. They have for company random toys, stray cutlery, a stapler, a bit of baguette and a segment of orange. The worrying thing is, the dining room is currently the tidiest room in the house.
Things have slid over the past few days and I'm struggling to catch up. A few things I should mention…
…I sold 16 packs of ten newspaper bags at Tuesday's Christmas Shopping Evening. The event was well attended and was hopefully worthwhile for the other stallholders as well. It was nice to see the "In Bloomers" there with their lovely floral arrangements.
…A big thank you to Kesarbai for the beautiful Diwali jewellery and bindis.
…I'm feeling better - yey!
...I added Google Adwords and, as you may have noticed, some of the adverts are a little strange...
…The Christmas Bazaar at the Infant School on Saturday 1st December is going to be terrific with a traditional Santa's Grotto, games for children and an amazing raffle.
…It's very windy.
Now, where did I put that hoover?
Website of the day: Just
Say No to Diamonds - why they aren't a girl's best friend.
I've had an unpleasant couple of day owing to a tummy bug (or as Spoonerism fans might say, a bummy tug).
November began when I woke up to Emily waving a school newsletter at me. It was about attendance and the importance of not taking your children out of school for holidays.
I sympathised with the parent who wanted to take their child to meet up with other family members at a celebration in the Middle East. Surely any child would benefit from such an infusion of culture. But, let's face it, most parents who choose to take their children out of school are doing so, in order to lie by a pool in the Costas, not to celebrate Eid-al-fitr in Damascus.
Then, there are those with dependency problems whose lives are chaotic and they simply cannot get their children to school everyday. Needless to say, the Costa families have plenty so say on the subject of such 'problem families'.
Differing values was a bit of a theme today. I'm trying to discourage excessive present buying but I know my pleas will fall on deaf ears. There is no way on earth I will buy huge amounts of plastic and spend loads of money over the festive period. It's hardly what it's all about.
And, on that subject... I'm not anti-church, I'm really not (some of them have lovely windows) - I'm just put off by a particular type of churchgoer. The type who thinks mere church attendance gives them special dispensation to behave in a spectacularly unchristian way. I hasten to point out that the vast majority of kirk attenders appear to be exceedingly nice, normal people.
---ooOoo---
As I turned over my Prestoungrange Calendar I was delighted to see a squiggle I recognised. Lucy had decided to 'help' Andrew paint a mural in the Prestongrange Industrial Museum. Sam Burns calendar features a cute hedgehog.
Website of the day: Norbert Rosing - wildlife photographer (thanks Shona for the info)
Happy Mother-in-Law's Birthday a.k.a. Halloween.
We only had one set of guisers at the door and as there is only one other family in our small cul-de-sac (who were either out or hiding behind the curtains) the girls didn't get to go guising. It was all a bit too much for Emily who started sobbing, then shouting, then stamping and slamming doors. She was sent to bed without watching the soaps (in this case, Coronation Street) - a modern spin on being sent to bed without supper.
Georgie dressed herself in pants and vest this morning. We didn't have any accidents until she took off all her clothes. At least we were indoors this time.
Lucy's nursery blog shows what fun they had dooking for apples. I adore the nursery blog, especially the slideshow about brightening up the garden (turn your speakers on to hear the wonderful music). It actually brings tears to my eyes. It is the work of one of Lucy's favourite teachers, who is leaving on Friday. I think she is going to miss him.
I spent too long on the telephone/email/t'Internet/computer today. Tomorrow I pledge to do lots of housework. Well at least get the Pledge out. It was hard to distinguish the fake cobwebs from the real ones.
Website of the Day: Astonishing Cakes at Funtasticus.
If this was a proper blog (and it probably won't be for quite some time), I'm not sure what today's title would be but the tags would include squirrel, soup and spectacles and a load more besides.
After the debit card debacle in Lidl I became convinced my card had been demagnetised. This once happened to all my cards...and their replacements. It subsequently transpired that the magnetic clasp on my handbag was effectively swiping them clear every time I took them out of the bag. I've always been a bit suspicious of magnets which probably dates back to my time working in legal offices when all the work was dictated onto tiny tapes which were erased after being typed by passing them through a magnetised tube. Once in a while, a tape would be swiped before it had been typed up and all hell broke loose.
I found out yesterday I have won a purple Agnes handbag in a competition run by Hive and Co. Whether it has a magnetic clasp or not remains to be seen.
This morning I took Georgie to Patchwork EH32's halloween party. She could not be persuaded to wear a scary costume and instead work a pink fairy outfit. She took part in the craft session and we both enjoyed the lovely buffet.
When we arrived home there were three packages waiting. Two of which were spectacles. To cut a long and very boring story short, I decided to order a cheap (£17.50 inc p&p) and cheerful pair of glasses from SpexManiac. Unfortunately, my order got caught up in the postal strike so I ordered a fun and funky pair from Glasses Direct at the discounted price of £18.75. However, SpexManiac appear to have got my order mixed up with someone elses, possibly Mr Magoo. I want to give SpexManiac a chance to redeem themselves (not just because they have the best name) but because they are the only 'budget' spectacles company that doesn't charge extra for thinner lenses and anti-reflective coating. I am happy with my funky purple pair from Glasses Direct but I had intended them to be a spare pair.
The third parcel was a large box from my mum, packed with beautiful Diwali outfits for the girls, bindi and jewellery for me and incense, sweets and a CD. Emily's outfit is a pink tunic with yellow trousers. Georgie's has a green/purple combo and Lucy's is orange/turquoise trousers. They all have very sparkly bangles which, needless to say, are a very big hit.
For lunch I made bacon and butter bean soup - a Nick Nairn recipe I spotted in a Lidl brochure.
On the way to collect Emily we spotted a very tame squirrel in Northfield's overhanging branches. He stayed long enough for me to take his photo much to the amusement of a very peculiar family waiting in the bus shelter. The young boy with them felt the need to block our path while his parents(?) looked on disinterestedly.
I went to a meeting of the Parents Council this evening. There's still a lot of policy matters to be sorted before the 'real' work gets underway. There is always the temptation to run before you can walk (especially if, like me, you have a zero level of patience) but I'm sure it will all come good given the level of enthusiasm I've seen so far.
TAGS: magnets, bank cards, competition, handbag, Patchwork EH32, halloween, spectacles, glasses, Diwali, soup, squirrel, school, Parent's Council.
Website of the day: EasyJet guide to Gdansk - the Edinburgh-Gdansk Route started today.
Today is not going according to plan.
The Lidl shopping trip was going so well, I'd got everything on my list (nearly - they didn't have couscous) and didn't buy anything that wasn't on my list (almost - Fox's Crunch Creams were on BOGOF). Then, when I tried to use my debit card at the checkout, the screen read 'Network Communication Error'. Only folk paying cash could get served and it took quite a time to sort out.
Back at home, I allowed myself to get distracted by a GNER fares for a fiver offer which led to me reading up on attractions in Durham and then wasting more time trying unsuccessfully to get tickets for the Bradford Animation Festival.
Emily has a headache and had to be collected from school. Happily, she seems perfectly fine now.
I got an email from eBay informing me that "a third party accessed your eBay account and used it to send emails to other eBay members without your authorisation". Hmmm.
It's been a day of little trials, but thankfully nothing that a cup of tea won't put right - although my teabag did split on my first attempt at making a cuppa...
To end on a positive note - I am so delighted with my Moo little book of photo stickers I have ordered another set to put inside Christmas cards.
Positive note #2 - four hours after I opened the mail, I discovered a half-opened brown envelope, no doubt squirrelled away by Georgie, containing a beautiful photograph of Lauren and Martha (photo #1 on the slideshow). What a lovely surprise.
Website of the day: Visit Bradford - This area has so much to offer, I'm going to have fun planning a visit.
While it's true you get an extra hour in bed when the clocks 'fall back', it takes me considerably longer than that to change the various gadgets that display the time.
We had a restful morning listening to Sub Pop: Infecting the Galaxy One Planet at a Time while half-heartedly attempting housework. This afternoon I raked up some more leaves and the last windfall apples.
Georgie has been very sleepy all day. She slept through Cleopatra and still went to sleep this evening.
This evening we watched the final episode of 24 on DVD - a mere six years after everyone else. I've thus far managed to avoid any reference to the final series of The Sopranos which was broadcast on Sky earlier this year and which we will watch on terrestial tv at some point. However, as it is shortly to be broadcast on E4 (a channel we can't get), reviews and spoilers are everywhere.
Website of the day: NotCot - Interesting, pointless, beguiling...
It was the last Church Clean Up Crew litterpick of the year and we met at the train station before following the path past Colonel Gardiner's monument (and admired the lion's new paw) along to Meadowmill. The sheer volume of bottles and cans on the playing fields was overwhelming. Another litter hotspot was outside Lothian Coated Fabrics where, in ten minutes, we filled a bag of cardboard coffee cups, fastfood wrappers, tickets, newspapers and other commuter-related debris.
I might not be a church-goer but I am going to miss my CCU Crewmates over the winter recess.
The Day Centre was transformed into a Night Centre for a fundraising Halloween party on behalf of the Three Harbours Arts Festival. There was fortune telling, dooking for apples, treacle scone tasting and pin the heart on the skeleton. And wonderful winter-warming food. There were some fantastic outfits including a headless ghost who carried his own head. I went as Magenta from the Rocky Horror Show and Nigel was the invisible man - I couldn't persuade him to be Frank-N-Furter and wear stockings and suspenders Tim Curry-style.
Website of the Night: Rocky Horror Show - the official fan site - enter at your own risk
Prestonpans stinks today. A 'farmer's field' smell permeates the air and I was grateful not to have to go out of the house after dropping Emily off at school this morning.
My Mini Sewing Machine has arrived. It is an early birthday present (thanks mum!). Ever since reading on Craftster about melting carrier bags to create sewable material I've been desparate to try this out. I'm not going to be making my own curtains or using it for anything remotely sensible so didn't want to buy an all singing, all dancing machine.
I tried it out with an old t-shirt of Georgies and was reminded me of my first few driving lessons. I bunny hopped all over the place and kept losing the thread. After a few more attempts I had the hang of it and the best results were achieved using heavy-duty polythene. I'm now thinking that a messenger bag might be a good project.
Website of the day: Timothy Rabbit's Myspace - Loving 'Sina's Song'
I had a coffee at Christine's before taking Georgie to the Bounce & Tickle session at the library. It was the first time she had been without Lucy and she was a little shy but enjoyed it. I was sorry to see the garden of our beautiful award-winning library strewn with litter.
In the Viking Clearance Sale there are 6 'luxury' Christmas crackers for £4.69 and 50 'economy' crackers for the same price. I am now very curious as to the difference between a 78p cracker and a 9p - other than 69p.
I was back at the library again this evening for the launch of Hox. It was buzzing. Nathalie had made one of her fantastic cakes and the wine was flowing. The Pans Glitterati were out in force in the form of Julie, Nathalie, Shona, Jane, Carmel, Adele & Gillian. And, everyone was buying books. By anyone's standards it was a huge success and I'm so pleased for Annemarie.
I'm enjoying Stuart Maconie's Pies and Prejudice very much. It's about 'The North' and what makes us Northerners different from those in the 'Sarf. One thing stood out. The uber-confidence exuded by southern softies is considered "showing off" by anyone north of Watford Gap.
I too take a dim view of attention-seeking behaviour. However, I suspect the increasing cockiness of the Oddity owes more to poor self-confidence rather than an abundance of it.
It is very misty today. St Gabriel's school has disappeared. I wish I could make a few pounds (like 30) disappear. I must be at my heaviest ever but I'm also at my happiest. :-)
P.S. Should there ever be occasion to prove my ability to be patient/good/kind/all of the above, I would like the following to go on record.
I have been baking all day. Emily has just finished helping me bake fairy cakes. As I am clearing up she asks if she can lick the spoon and I say no and give her a talk about listeria and salmonella that Professor Hugh Pennington would be proud of. I then sit down to a well-earned coffee - the first since breakfast.
A serious-faced Emily joins me. "Mum....when I was stirring the mixture, I was stirring the mixing bowl like this (stretches arm upward), some mixture fell into my mouth. And I swallowed it. Will I be okay?" I reassure her that she will be fine. Her relief is evident. She throws her arms around me and coffee goes EVERYWHERE - in my make up bag, on Christmas presents, on my trousers, in between keys on the keyboard.
I don't make a fuss. I take off my soggy clothes, I make another coffee...
Website of the day: Twenty1F
- 'Fashion for the 21st Century' (on which planet they don't say). Now
this is just showing off.
Despite Georgie's fondness for bringing assorted garments downstairs, she isn't so keen on actually wearing clothes. For the first time in an hour, she isn't totally starkers. She is however wearing a blue Ikea bag, one handle over each shoulder, rucksack style. Disconcertingly she keeps shouting "toilet".
I missed a parcel collection on the nursery run so went to collect it from the post office during the school run, during which time I missed another delivery. I can see this parcel madness spiralling out of control.
Update: Georgie is now slightly more dressed. She is wearing one high heel shoe (belonging to Emily), one flat shoe (belonging to Lucy) and a sunhat. The Ikea rucksack is now full of pretend food and a cushion.
Website of the day: Hipo hyfryd - 37 days until I turn 38, let the hinting commence (you paying attention NB?)...
I stayed in all day because I didn't want to miss a City Link delivery. They didn't show up and the limited information on the card they left on Friday doesn't indicate what the parcel might be. Their phone rings engaged constantly. I'm not impressed.
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Free Rice is an interesting site. You click on the correct word meaning and, if you're correct, 10 grains or rice will be donated to the United Nations World Food Program. It's paid for by advertisers but I can't help feeling a little uncomfortable by it. Can't they just give the rice? Is 10 grains a fair exchange for the amount of advertising? I don't know, but Emily really enjoyed 'playing' it.
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The RSE's Events
Diary arrived today. I haven't had chance to read it
thoroughly but there are some fascinating lectures listed.
It's been a bit colder today and whether this is the reason for our apathy I'm not sure but it has been a day of not getting things done. We didn't go swimming. We didn't build the arbour. Nor did we fix Emily's bike.
We attempted to do a 1,000 piece jigsaw - big mistake. Only 3 out of 5 Barkers can tell the difference between an edge piece and a middler. Georgie kept grabbing handfuls of pieces shouting "edge!". We abandoned the project after 10 minutes.
Thing I did do include: putting up a new page to sell Newspaper Bags. I ordered 50 to use instead of gift wrap this Christmas and have used nearly all of them so ordered another 500. I plan to sell some at the School's Christmas Shopping Evening.
We rent a lot of lot of films through the post from LOVEFiLM so I've prepaid my year's subscription and saved £25.
Oh, and we now have a Hyacinth Bucket-style Westminster Chimes doorbell. We're being ironic...obviously.
Website of the day: Fat Statement - custom badges - no minimum order.
The mild weather continued today and Nigel played cricket/football/some sport thing with the girls while I fixed some spikey prickle strips to the fence to deter intruders.
We sauntered down to Lidl, via Cemetery Park, and did a big shop which included celeriac and a kaki. Although I've had celeriac before I've never cooked with it and I hadn't even heard of kaki, which apparently is more commonly known as a persimmon (not by me - I thought they built posh hooses at Priory Gate).
We caught a taxi home, put our feet up and read the Guardian Magazine which had a timely recipe for Celeriac and Lentils with Hazelnut and Mint. Nigel substituted hazlenuts for walnuts and it was a really fantastic dinner. The magazine suggested serving it with sour cream but I think I might prefer a natural yoghurt.
And, on the subject of yoghurt, Hage, those lovely people behind Totally Greek Yoghurt sent two coolbags and a binder of recipe cards as a raffle prize for the school Christmas Bazaar on 1st December.
Kaki and Totally Greek Yoghurt? That sounds like the making of a divine syllabub or mousse.
Website of the day: Katine - a community as ingenious and industrious as it is poor and deprived. The Guardian, in partnership with AMREF, hopes to transform it over the next three years with matched funding from Barclays.
I had a cup of tea with Annemarie before leaving my three with her while I nipped across to the surgery. My oxygen levels are approaching humanoid levels again and the doctor reckons I'll deffo be better in a fortnight.
The girls had a great time with Esme and Max. It's been very mild today, so much so that Sarah, Annemarie and I sat outside with our cuppa while the five kids ran amok in the garden.
A free sample of Daisy, a new fragrance by Marc Jacobs arrived. It has a pleasant, old-fashioned violet scent. I think I'll pop it in the vacuum like I did with the last perfume sample I got.
Website of the day: We Are What We Do - easy steps to changing the world
A new branch of Cath Kidston opens this afternoon in Edinburgh. I rarely go into real shops these days and haven't browsed George Street for over 20 years. I wonder if it is still full of posh shops that require you to ring a bell to gain entry. I recall, as a young teenager, not being able to open the doors of a boutique and wondered why the two assistants were just standing there.
I've deliberately stayed away from my desk today so I can give the girls my full attention. I find it very difficult to sit and watch a film but I sat through Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with the girls.
This evening was a bit frustrating because Nigel needed to work on the pc and everything on my 'to do' list involved the computer. I restorted to doing 'high dusting'. There were quite a lot of cobwebs.
Website of the day: Stuart Haygarth - too cool for school designer and illustrator.
Annemarie came round this morning to take out Emily and Lucy. I probably should have used the time to tackle the dishes, dust and detritus but chose to put my feet up and finish 'The Virgin Suicides' by Jeffrey Eugenides. I enjoyed this book immensely and the telling of the tale in anonymised first person plural is a great technique.
I've finally got round to flicking through the Autumn/Winter edition of Well? which lists the signs of (flourishing) mental health as: 1. Satisfied with your life. 2. Positive effect in life. 3. Contribution to society. 4. Social integration. 5. Social growth and potential. 6. Acceptance of others. 7. Social interest and coherence. 8. Self acceptance. 9. Environmental mastery. 10. Positive relations with others. 11. Personal growth. 12. Autonomy. 13. Purpose in life.
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These Historic Newspapers look interesting - get a 10% discount off all products if you enter AF05 at the checkout.
I made tea this evening - pasta, sprouts & bacon. It was nice. Everyone liked it.
I'm finding Betty's blog very uplifting at the moment. I hope
I can persuade her to let me put the link here. Pleased to read that
the missing cat Dillon has been found - hurrah!
Website of the day: JibJab - upload photos of yourself and your friends to star in a JibJab movie - thanks Rachel for the link.
We had a lovely afternoon at Christine's house today. After a smashing lunch, the kids burned off some energy on the trampoline. At one point there was seven children on the trampoline - and no, I didn't join in.
Website of the day: World Food Day was established by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on this date 28 years ago. This year's theme is "The Right to Food". Food is a basic human right yet people are still dying from hunger every day.
It doesn't take a genius to work out that if you can see a maintenance train parked on the track, then the trains probably aren't running normally. Weekend engineering works had overran, supposedly because of a freight train derailment on another branch line. This meant that Nigel was late for work but we did watch some news together while planning his journey.
The new museum on the Acropolis has renewed the campaign to return the Elgin Marbles to Greek. I've never seen the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum but I have seen those artefacts deemed "not good enough" for the British Museum, in the Earl of Elgin's ancestral home of Broomhall. Lady Elgin, and the 11th Earl, were showing us round and there, amid this beauty and antiquity, sat a remote control crawling hand as seen in the Addams Family. It belonged to a grandchild, they explained with a smile.
Carmel came round with Aoife and Prentice and took Emily and Lucy out for a couple of hours. Georgie has a cold and is a bit clingy so stayed with me.
It was nice to see Peter who was working in the area and popped in. Hopefully Rachel and the girls can accompany him on his next trip. I'm glad Nigel doesn't have to work away. I really missed him today.
Website of the day: Saint Valentines's Liquorice - these look lovely. I've just discovered from Wikipedia that the liquorice plant is a legume. I never knew that.
With my newly shorn hair (courtesy of Lyndsey at Medusa), "first date dress" (vintage Jeffrey Rodgers), very sparkly ring (FrostFire) and babysitters in place (my mum and Alan) I was all set for a night out on Saturday.
The trains arent' running at the weekend because of engineering works so Nigel and I caught the replacement bus service to Edinburgh. From the top deck we were able to see into our sitting room and enjoy views of unfamiliar parts of Musselburgh. Our magical mystery tour ended at Market Street in perfect time for us to walk to Harvey Nicks where we had dinner reservations at 7.
Up on the fourth floor, our windowside table had fantastic views across St Andrew Square and beyond. We both chose smoked salmon blinis starter. Nigel opted for the Pork Belly and I had fishcakes. We each had a glass of champagne and shared a very chocolately brownie.
Neither of us wanted to stay in the Hen Night atmosphere of Edinburgh's City Centre so took the replacement coach home where Real Radio added to the party atmosphere. We snuck into next door (a.k.a. Hotel Monkey Loft) and continued partying.
This morning we said goodbye to my mum and Alan, but not before having some wonderful almond and amaretto cake.
"You can't have a big slice.." I told Lucy "...it's got booze in".
"I like booze cake" she insisted.
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Why are Nigel and I getting so much spam? I have to be sure to lock the computer away from wee eyes. Spam or no spam I must keep an eye on Emily's Internet usage. She has left loads of messages on her school's blog. They are all in her 'teacher' voice and sound very patronising (e.g. "my goodness nursery children, aren't you clever?!!!! You will soon know as much as me" - that type of thing). Just reading her comments makes my cheeks redden.
I'm on the road to recovery. Just don't make me laugh - it ain't a pretty sight...
Website of the day:Mailinator - for when you need to give an email address but don't want the spam. You can check messages via the (public) inbox.
Lucy attended her final group speech therapy session today. Thank you Christine for ferrying us back and forward these past few weeks and to Sarah and Andrew for playing with Georgie. It is also the last day of school before the the Half Term break. Thank you Heather for helping me preserve my oxygen levels by collecting Emily from school.
Donations continue to arrive for the school's forthcoming events. Yesterday the postie delivered some tres chic La Poule Blanche placemats (tres beaucoup Lavender & Sage). They will make an excellent raffle prize for the school's Christmas Shopping Evening on Tuesday November 6th at Prestonpans Labour Club. Likewise, the fabulous set of Tank Books that currently adorn my bookshelves are ultimately destined for a silent auction at school on 1st December.
The plans for the extension to the school are now available online. I always have difficulty visualising these things (I guess it's a right brain thing) but the new nursery block does look impressive.
Emily has passed her Level B reading test. Academically, she is a real high-flyer but her behaviour at home recently has been nothing short of appalling. She got into a strop this morning because she wanted to wear filthy dirty socks. She claimed the brand new socks didn't match and that her grey sweatshirt (despite being made of the same material as her favourite purple one) is 'scratchy'. She went to school looking like Stig of the Dump (a book she read at a remarkably young age).
A yellow rose has appeared in my garden. Apparently, yellow roses signify joy, congratulations and "get well". Surely a good sign.
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A forum poster started a thread asking people which charities they supported. People gave all the details of which organisations or general subject they gave money to. Not one person mentioned gave a web address or further details of the charities. One Lady Bountiful went into great detail about how the recipient of her generosity "had tears in their eyes". My point? Merely that the thread served no purpose other than to share with the world what 'nice' people they were.
This doesn't surprise me - I spent quite a few years drawing up "Donor Recognition Programmes" to take advantage of this very thing. I'd rather people gave money for any old reason than didn't give money.
The late Lord Younger, Chairman of the Royal Bank and the only Tory worth a damn, once told me a brilliant anecdote. He had been visiting the opening of a new building where there was a Donor's Board built into the wall. A large American sidled up to him and said loudly "See that 'Anonymous III' up there? That's me".
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With our local papers was also delivered the paperboy's sheet of who gets what paper. Shocking stuff.
Website of the day: Shedworking - guide to the lifestyles of shedworkers and those who work in shedlike atmospheres (or people like me who are just like sheds).
My oxygen levels are even lower than before which is a bad thing according to the doc. I've been given an inhaler which helps fractionally. Not having paid for a prescription for several years, I was shocked to have to pay over £13 (presumably the inhaler and aero chamber count as two prescriptions).
I'm glad the mail is back today.
With hindsight, I probably shouldn't have gone to the Family Night as it exhausted me but I'm glad I did. It was very well attended and it was great to see a mixture of schools represented along with people coming from the distant lands of Tranent and Haddington. Gary did a great job of getting people on the dance floor and I'm pleased that a fair bit was raised for the school.
I'm feeling a bit better today but still have a tight feeling around my chest. Any laughing results in a coughing bout. Laughs were in abundance yesterday, especially when Donna came round with her kids and demonstrated how to use the skip ball. I was disappointed to miss Jane's BookBabes evening, especially as I've a pile of books earmarked for particular BookBabes.
I've been taking it easy today and the weather was mild enough to have lunch in the garden this afternoon.
Unlike yesterday, I know exactly where to begin. By saying a huge thank you to the friends who have rallied round. Between them they have collected children from school, dropped off homemade soup, given lifts, carried bags and picked up the threads of my half-finished projects. And for the offers of help. Thank you. You know who you are.
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In the same way as it takes a crisis to know who you can depend on, it also takes a crisis to show which of my quirky routines work. For example, everyone is listed in my address book under their given names - handy when your husband doesn't know the surnames of half the people you talk about daily. It would have been handy to have had an overnight bag ready made up.
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And doesn't the Prestonpans Bush Telegraph work quickly?!
---ooOoo--
A big well done to Emily for getting a good school report.
Where do I begin?
During the night I had problems exhaling. Breathing in was alright, but breathing out was an effort, as if my lungs weren't working. It make me quite panicky and I began compensating by taking shallow breaths resulting in a dreadful headache and light-headedness.
I felt no better in the morning so called the surgery. The short walk there on the way back from school exhausted me. After attaching some device to my finger and then my toe, the doc declared I hadn't enough oxygen in my body and, at 9.00 a.m. my 'cough' became 'suspected pneumonia'. I tearfully packed my overnight bag and began making arrangements. Nigel came home from work and an ambulance took me to the Acute Receiving and Admissions Unit (ARAU) of the Western General Hospital - what a busy place.
Having discounted pneumonia or some kind of obstruction, bloods were taken. I was beginning to feel like a fraud. I was quite hungry by this point, it being over seven hours since my slice of toast but I had to track my clothes down before I could purchase a drink from the (very nice) WRVS canteen. When I came back, the number of people in the corridor had increased and my trolley (marked "do not use - under repair") had been re-allocated to someone else. The promised oxygen and paracetamol hadn't arrived. Dr Who/Hoo said my blood tests indicated a viral infection and I was able to escape this scene from Night of the Living Dead. I caught a bus, bought some Boots own brand paracetemol, which helpfully comes with a free bottle of water, and caught the train home. I was finally reunited with my family at 5.00 p.m. thankful that I didn't required an overnight stay.
The children have run rings around us the past few days and usual routine has gone out of the window as Nigel and I have been suffering from a chestywheezyhorriblethingy.
They remind me of lions, or perhaps monkeys, spotting an injured alpha female and deciding to wear it down.
I've almost lost my voice completely and the effort required to explain why they can't help themselves to an X, Y or Z is toooo much. So, I succumbed to pester power and, as a result, they've all overslept, have no clothes organised. Emily had odd socks ("I look mental!") and Lucy could find her shoes.
Needless to say, the house is a pigsty.
In the absence of drilling machines, I can hear birds (starlings?) again. Last night I thought I heard lots of geese (which is or course entirely possible).
On the way back from school I saw an injured pigeon outside the entrace to Turret Gardens. It was in the same place where a buzzard had swooped down on a seagull previously. Magpies sit atop Northfield House wall too so they too are possible suspects in Grievous Birdly Harm.
I dropped into the library to collect some boxes of books for Thursday's coffee morning and sale at the school and saw that Emily's class were in the children's section. It was nice to see her happy.
The bird was still there on my way home so, on the way back, I took my mobile and the SSPCA number only to discover it dead outside Northfield Mains Cottages.
Emily had a long face when I collected her - the result of an
incident, which required the world's largest plaster and a cream
meringue.
The monster machines and portakabins have left the field. I can actually sit in my own garden for the first time in months without the constant sound of drilling. A smell of woodsmoke permeates the earth - not sure of its source.
Parent Assembly was nice and upbeat- Emily won an award for her creative writing. Robert Simpson gave a talk about beauty coming from within using the example of a conker. I'm not 'face-ist' - some of my best friends have fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.....;-)
But seriously, it is very difficult to see the inner beauty of people whose ugly actions knowingly hurt others. Someone once said "Treat every person with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you. Remember that you show compassion to others not because of who they are but because of who you are." Great advice, really hard to live up to.
I must remember to place my Presents for Men order while the sale is on.
Still hot/cold and snuffly.
I find litterpicking by the sea quite exhilarating but picking up broken glass from the all weather track at the Pennypit was just plain depressing. I had been battling with a headache all day and by the time I got home felt thoroughly miserable.
I've been alternating between feeling perishingly cold to feverish and am aching all over. It was a relief not to have any "dropper-inners". I never drop in on people. I blame cars. No one just 'drops by" if they are on foot.
I was really touched that Emily bought me a lovely bracelet and three postcards from her trip to the Royal Museum. I remember buying postcards from the Chambers Street museum so it was extra special to receive something I might have bought for myself 20 or so years earlier.
Website of the day: Moo - they print sticker books, postcards and contact cards using your own uploaded images - and they are very reasonably priced. Check out their blog for ideas how to use them.
Lucy and Georgie really enjoyed spending time with Sarah and Andrew today. In fact, Lucy enjoyed herself so much she decided not to disembark from the Knoxmobile and went home with Christine. She was returned later wearing a tiara and a big smile declaring that she wanted a big bike.
I've won a DVD box set of the Bourne Identity and Bourne Supremacy courtesy of Volkswagen (check out their 3D Stunt Simulator).
The IT Crowd was quite disappointing today. I usually find it quite amusing.
Website of the day: Magscapes - magnetic
wallpaper you can reposition as often as you like
As I browsed the books in the kids corner of the library my eyes fell upon "The Trouble With Mum", Babette Cole's tale of the boy whose mum is a bit different from other mums. Everyone is won over when she flies her broomstick over the burning school and puts out the fire with the aid of some clouds.
I suspect that, in real life, there would probably be a media witch hunt and mum, and possibly dad, would be accused of starting the fire in the first place.
Website of the day: Stuff Your Rucksack - find out what provisions are needed by organisations in areas you plan to visit.
An eBay seller informed me, three weeks after I'd paid for the item, that they'd just realised it was too big to post.
Given this was the first indication that there was a problem and that the item presenting them with such a problem was a mere poster, I was a little irritated. I suggested they try folding it or, here's a novel suggestion, purchasing a postal tube. I wasn't given the courtesy of a response but at least I did get a refund - of sorts...They chose to refund me in such a convoluted way that I ended up being charged 50p transaction fee. I was beginning to get a little annoyed.
Then came the moment where I got really cross. The would-be seller then left feedback stating they had emailed "several times" to offer a "full refund" but received no response from me! Outrageous! I abhore dishonesty in all its forms. Shame on this person!
Nicer parts of the day included:
Emily's class went to the Playhouse to see "The Awful Egyptians" and she really enjoyed it (and wasn't sick). Her review can be seen on her webpages.
Lucy proudly showed off her 'new' trousers to Nigel. They were only new in the sense that they were the nursery's "accident" pair.
Thank you Nigel for the lovely no-reason pink lilies (xxx).
Margot is probably the only (other) person I know that could get excited about getting new plastic hoopy things to hold open our litter-picking bags. I'm looking forward to trying them out.
The balance is restored and I'm a Hoopy Frood. Sorry if you don't grokk that.
Website of the day: Fix My Street - enter a postcode to report graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs etc direct to your local authority.
I went to Patchwork EH32's first birthday party with Georgie, Morag and little Dean. Georgie liked seeing all the babies but wasn't so keen on me holding them. It was a good turnout but we had to leave before the fun and games got going. There were some lovely raffle prizes and I was delighted to win a fabulous Starbucks hamper containing a Bodum cafetiere, two bags of coffee, two mugs, six bars of chocolate, a waffle and a £15 Starbucks voucher. All the children were given a Bookstart goody bag which was a nice touch. Thanks to Heather for dropping off the hamper and the delicious cake.
In a change of pace I went to a meeting this evening at the school about developing a Parent Council. Disappointingly there were only six other parents. Having said that, they weren't the usual six faces which is encouraging and all years were represented. From a personal point of view, I find walking into a room of strangers the equivalent of an extreme sport and tend not to say too much.
Website of the day: Treasurehunting - I might just get my old metal detector out of the garage
After a flurry of visitors (Heather, Mary & Grant), I collected Lucy from nursery and bumped into Annemarie. We walked back from Somerfield together and I had a cup of tea at her house. Annemarie showed me her copy of the Joy of Cooking, which, being published in 1913, pre-dates Comfort's Joy of (in other words Irma came first).
Georgie had a rather unpleasant accident on the kitchen floor. Unfazed by this, Annemarie produced wipes, nappy and a spare pair of trousers. How many award-winning authors can you say that about?
I too was given a new pair of trousers (even though, I hasten to add, I didn't poop myself) and Harlan Coben's "Promise Me" which I'll read after "The Secret Life of E Robert Pendleton".
Website of the day: Tyne & Esk Writers
Team Barker were handing out water to Prestonpans Half Marathon runners. We enjoyed cheering them on the final mile and it was nice to see some familiar faces. I went out later to pick up the empties but they had already been cleared away.
---ooOoo---
It feels very autumnal today. The trees are turning and there was a crispness in the air. Brown and purple are the season's must have shades apparently. I'm loving Joe Brown's Autumn rage, but I suspect it is a bit young for me.
Website of the day: Oxfam Shops are now online - yup, you can actually buy genuine, pre-loved clothes over t'Internet.
I'm feeling a bit low. Emily and I have been on a collision course all day. Sometimes she is so full of aggression and resentment I just don't know how to deal with her.
Website of the day: Eat Natural - The most wickedly non-wicked treats around and I've got two boxes of them to use at various local events (thanks Marcella!!!)
It is International Day of Peace - A day of Global Ceasefire, peace and nonviolence. The day that 3,500 events take place in over 200 countries. The day that brings together more than 2000 organisations. The day that gets citizens of Earth working together for a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world for all....
...and the day that people in Prestonpans dress up in kilts and redcoats and reinact the Battle of Prestonpans...
It is Emily's turn to be poorly and is off school today. Unfortunately, even an upset stomach won't prevent my children fighting like Hanoverians and Jacobites.
May Peace Prevail!
Website of the Day: Family Records Centre
I checked my four favourite blogs today to see if they've been updated -they haven't. They are all very different but the common theme seems to be quality not quantity. Not something that can be said for the nonsense I churn out here.
I love discovering new blogs so do let me know if you have one. And for the record, the sites I check daily are The Fort Family, Chris Lamb, Classical Jaz and Betty's blog.
It's probably just as well they don't update them too often, I'd never get anything done and this afternoon the two littlest Barkerettes are poorly so I'm going to be a busy girl.
Website of th
