Message in a bottle

School Trip

2008-05-21T08:36:00.006+01:00

I’m just in from dropping wee S at school for his ‘end of the year’ school trip to the Science Centre. It was all he could talk about last night and then again first thing this morning when he got up - thirty minutes too early! I even dreamt about the school trip last night and found myself flying through the sky, panic stricken and desperately trying to deliver a lunch box in time before the ferry left with the bus full of children onboard. Wee S is on that ferry right now as l type this post. In the dream wee S became an amalgamation of all of my children. It was so important that he/they did not feel different of left out. I think as parents we have so many emotions for our kids just under the surface – worries that we are not always aware of.
When S and l arrived at the school the massive bus sat patiently waiting outside the gates – oblivious to the fact that it had just delivered the final adrenalin boost. If these kids had been ‘so so’ about the trip they certainly weren’t once they had seen the coach. As we neared the class S joined in with the rumble of children that could hardly contain themselves. Amidst this uproar, past bouncing heads and jingling pockets the teacher looked frazzled – busy sending one group after the other to the toilets and checking that all had a lunch packed with relevant name tags.
I used to love going on the school trip and have a mix of memories about those days out. I remember singing songs like… ‘Oh you canny shove your granny aff the bus” and ‘She’ll be coming round the mountain’. I remember the wee tuck shops at the end where you could buy novelties like bendy pencils, plastic finger monsters or reflective postcards. Once l spent my whole 50p on a plant from my mum- she still remembers. I must have loved plants even then!

SANDWICHED

I imagine my Granny being shoved off the bus
as streamers flit by the window from three seats forward
Wee Willie’s been taken down the front again
I can see him in the mirror looking green

His knuckles clamping the plastic poke on his lap
As Mrs. D and Mr. G talk above his head
And occasionally with the bus driver
Who looks just as uncomfortable as Willie

Big Tam’s still kicking my seat from behind
So l’m glad when the next song starts up and l make sure
He hears me sing, for the ‘Front’ of the bus!
He thumps my seat even more when it’s his round

Teacher calls lunch break and hands out boxes
I cautiously pry open the lid but enough gas escapes
In that short peek to blow my cover
I don’t even notice Tam thumping my seat

A whiff of pong floats above my head in the sudden silence
Kids start to gag and I don't feel hungry anymore
That is, until someone shouts out that Tam’s mum
Has packed eggy sandwiches too!

********************

This past month on slideshow below.
Take care all.

All in a days work

2008-04-30T21:00:00.005+01:00

Here is the slideshow of the pictures l took on our journey to Helensburgh. The photographs with snow are from the same journey back in February. There is a photograph in the slideshow of three Peacocks walking down the road in front of us and another of someone in a canoe heading towards Helensburgh- l did wonder if it was my blogging friend Claire!
I've a big day tomorrow - lots of driving but l'm looking forward to visiting with my older two children.
Night night folks. To my Sis and friends Down Under- Good morning!

P.S. My neighbour across the street is getting a home perm in her kitchen tonight- with the window all lit up it is hard not to look! She must be wondering about me here typing away too- ha! The other neighbour two doors down is standing on a ladder painting around the window frame- it's all a go go here. I'm away to bed.

One hour too early

2008-04-30T09:20:00.017+01:00

A rose-bud, by my early walk
Adown a corn-enclosèd bawk,
Sae gently bent its thorny stalk,
All on a dewy morning....

Yesterday l was away in Helensburgh with hubby. G had work there so l was up early to go along for the ride. We motored along the banks of Loch Eck, Loch Fyne, Loch Long and Loch Lomond - the water was so still it reflected like a mirror. We drove up over the Rest and be Thankful and past the Arrochar Alps- the Cobbler, Ben Ime, Ben Vane, etc.
The vibrant glow of gorse waved at us from the roadsides, as did the wild primrose. We had to drive slower along certain stretches of the journey where there were sheep grazing, often having to navigate our way around a wee lamb and it's mother crossing over. I enjoy eating lamb but always feel terrible about it come Springtime. Don't ask me to pass the mint sauce!!

This morning I woke up and started getting wee S ready for school as usual, forgetting that the alarm had been set for an earlier hour (from the trip yesterday). It wasn't until we reached the school gates and empty street that we realised something was amiss - arghh - one hour too early!
I have to say though that it has been a most productive morning because apart from getting wee S to school l had cleaned out the fish tank, put a washing in, hung a washing up, got the rubbish bin out for pick up, scrubbed the cooker hob, swept the kitchen floor, watered the indoor plants- and all this before 8am! Wow- l must be a morning person after all.

Now l'm off to take a friend out to the garden centre and help her make up some hanging baskets- l'm doing the same for another pal on Monday! Any excuse for a visit to the garden centre for me!
Wee S has Scouts tonight and tomorrow l'm headed up to the city to check in on my older two kids.
Hope to download the photographs from yesterday A.S.A.P. and will add them to the next post.
Cheerio and bests for now.

...So thou, dear bird, young Jeany fair,
On trembling string or vocal air,
Shall sweetly pay the tender care
That tents thy early morning!

Parts from A Rose-Bud By My Early Walk by Robert Burns 1787

Stoussie

2008-04-27T10:18:00.002+01:00

It was a braw afternoon yesterday so the wean sat most of it on his bahookie, hiding oot in his wee club hoose. He had kitted it oot in gallus style with rugs and throne, jorries, boodle bag, chocolate digestives and bottle of ginger- a stoater of a secret den- unco braw! I heard him blethering to himself and at times felt quiet bamboozled about what was going on inside especially when it shoogled so. Occasionally l saw a keek of breek or shank but mostly l just listened with my lug to his gab. I even held ma wheesht when he came oot to plouter aroon and when he went birlin doon the path! At least he’s no like the big yins yet - plain gyte and oot roamin – he’s still just oor ain wee poke-shakkins.
The playpark:

Create Your Own

Beside the seaside, beside the sea.

2008-04-25T19:09:00.006+01:00

When I walked S to school this morning the whole town smelled of ‘beach’- that delightful and distinctive smell of aromatic sea air – for me one of the perks of living by the seaside. I continued walking after the school run, following my nose so to speak and ended up sitting down on the rocks by the pier enjoying the freshness and quiet around me. The ferry was far enough out by then to send endless ripples straight towards shore, so I sat there for a long time watching the bubbles bounce against the rocks below.
I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but for me, in moments of life’s changes l try to analyse and define what is, taking reassurance in the constants. So this morning l sat there looking out onto the water, listening to the sound of my thoughts, like an ocean trapped in a seashell.
Some say that we are born at the bottom of the ocean, a foetus swimming towards the surface, perhaps guessing even then at what the future might hold – love, breath? To me this is just a metaphor but a good one, for having always lived by the ocean l recognise just how great a part the sea plays in giving me a sense of place.
And just like when l'm gardening, it gives me a place to think.

thoughts by the sea
by Everett A Warren
August 26, 1998

whispering *** listening
murmuring sea-song ***crashing upon rock
pull of ebb and flow *** drifting, dreaming
silent it lies for a breath *** still visual cacophony
gathering *** swelling
rescinding *** retreating
salt-spray *** stinging
upon the shoreline watching *** on waves thought speeding
falling *** rising
mind-sailing *** heart-feeling
sails billowing *** with the dream

Old and New

2008-04-17T09:55:00.010+01:00

Almost a week now of complete sunshine and blue skies, for those living in warmer climates perhaps not that great a deal but for us here on the west coast of Scotland- very nice indeed. As l said on my last post- no excuses for being lazy! So this morning I’m going to get caught up with a few inside chores then it’s out to the new play park with wee S. After that it’s back home and paint the front garden wall! I’ve already started a pork casserole in the slow cooker so life feels organised.
As for this play park, well it’s been under refurbishment and today is the date set for completion so it’ll be swamped. See above plans- lovely curves and spacing!
Our town has had very little for the children for years now- the old swing park was in a sad state of disrepair and the even older paddling pool to the side had been half filled in with soil- a far cry from what used to be. I suppose with everything else good old ‘Health and Safety’ have had something to do with the closure of so many of the parks hereabout- the old rolling barrels behind the town hall are a long time gone.
I took wee S a walk along the shore the other night to see how the new design was coming along. This park sits to one side of W*est Bay and is a lovely walk to from our home, along the shoreline, which gives the mind time to wander.
When we got there l stood resting my arms on the railings as wee S played on the beach. As l looked on to what was left of the paddling pool area my mind flew back thirty years to the wee girl l once was. I remembered sitting on the sloping sides with the many other families and children, the laid out towels and laughter, kids with boats and grandparents walking the perimeter with rolled up trousers. There was innocence then and a joy for socialising with your neighbour. It’s something l miss terribly and feel sad that my children won’t know.
I stood there long enough to watch the swans make there way from one end of the bay to the other- occasionally coming in for some bread or titbits thrown and then S and l headed back home.
I came to this town for holidays as a wee girl with my parents, to visit our Granny and Grandpa. l believe it was those holidays and the being with family that prompted my parents to move here. Mum has a picture somewhere of Gran and Grampa sitting against the rounded wall at the turn to this swing park looking very rounded themselves. Granny looked loved sitting there beside Grandpa, lovely with her big fluffy hat and hairpin. Grandpa with his gently crooked smile, which always made me think he knew something l didn’t, his braces holding up his trousers to chest height- l miss them both.
I sound like the wee old lady at the end of the Titanic movie talking about her past with no pictures to show – just the memories stored in her mind. Fortunately though l have just found some other pictures of that time and my Grandparents. I am the wee baby and girl in the pictures- always sitting on my Granny’s knee.
Grandpa and Granny were married for over 65years- married in 1923.
Their birthdays were on the 5th and 8th of April.

Keeping Busy

2008-04-16T08:41:00.005+01:00

April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go. ~Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

Daffodils glint and sway in the sunshine to the hum of mowers cutting grass behind.
Windows opened for fresh air to travel freely like the neighbours themselves busy with chores inside and out. Swollen shed doors wrenched open again after long winter months ready now for a sweep out and shelf makeover.
The town is busy and people are smiling – a time of rebirth.

I’ve been keeping busy around the house here with Hubby – painting and gardening. The weather has been cool but beautifully clear so no excuses for not getting on.
The grass has had its first cut and I’ve added some Wallflowers and Stocks to the border along the pathway for their sweet scent. It’s just a joy to be back outside again, listening to the birdsong and busy planting.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.

Lord Byron (1788-1824)
Pleasure in the Pathless Woods

Caution: this woman is flammable!

2008-04-07T11:22:00.011+01:00

Supreme Master Chef... Auntie Betty hits the Grand Old Age of...

Auntie Betty is a creative and talented woman who, at this moment in time, has decided on a slight career shift. She has moved into the realms of 'Revolutionary Baking', using only home-style ingredients and products. Move over Aunt Bessie- here comes Auntie Betty!! She delights us all with new and truly inventive recipies like, Shoo-fly pie, Tixylix Eclairs, Chocolate Torte with Tetley cream and Chicken noodle and Pistachio Pound Cake. Not to mention what she can do with a little Daz Dressing- the mind boggles!

How old? Well l stopped counting when the curtains caught fire, l mean, did you see how many candles were on that cake!

What is it that keeps this woman so enthused for life and young at heart- always on the move for finding new ways to be creative.
Answer: Auntie Betty is a lady who swears by her daily oxter dabs of WD-40. You may gaup, l certainly did when she told me that it had actually stopped her squeaking, drove out unwanted moisture, loosened rusted parts and freed up sticky mechanisms. It’s amazing that she hasn’t yet thought about using it in one of her unique designer cake recipes – or, perhaps she has!!! Arghh!

Sunshine and Showers

2008-04-01T11:18:00.010+01:00

It has been raining outside this morning but thankfully l managed to get S into school before it came teeming down. We even managed a detour on route to drop some books off at the charity shop - part of the ongoing spring clearout.

The upside of living where we do (Scotland’s west coast) is the dramatic scenery but the downside has to be the rain (although my father-in-law might argue the Midge instead!).
Certainly we have ample vocabulary to describe the rain, describing the action of it, its direction and intensity. Perhaps we do this to help in our acceptance of it- like an Inuit with ‘summer snow' or a Texan with 'a baking sun'. Somehow by making it more interesting we build up forbearance and learn to live with it. To talk about the changeable weather is our national pastime - we don’t even realise we’re doing it anymore – like tapping the barometer on the way out of the door or packing wet weather gear in with packed lunch!
It must be noted however that there is also a special Gaelic word for when it stops raining- ‘turadh’- just don’t ask me to say it.
Yesterday it stopped raining so l took more pictures (below).

After picking up S from school yesterday we walked along the shore and climbed up c*astle hill. We bought an ice cream at the café below and before heading home bumped into my sis-in-law out strolling along the prom with her S also. Nephew S had such a wonderful smile for us and shared licks of ice cream with his cousin before we parted. Everyone was in a sunshiny mood.

Walking by water

2008-03-31T09:49:00.005+01:00

We parked the car by the waterfront on the way home Saturday after shopping. The tide was coming in and the waves were just beautiful to watch. As always the camera was nearby so l jumped out and took a few photos (as seen on slideshow below).

I’ve been thinking about gathering some pictures together to put on the blog sidebar as a view from my corner of the world so will start with this one entitled ‘W*est Bay’.
It’s a sunny day so l’m away to get some work done outside – not just gardening but a bit of Spring-cleaning for the mind also.

A breath of fresh air

2008-03-28T11:31:00.008Z

Last night wee S had a birthday party to attend so hubby and l used the time to go buy some fish & chips and sit by the loch nearby. The air was mild, the water calm and the view was breathtaking. We watched as one ferry sauntered up into the loch to tie up for the night and leave its ripples to wander ashore. Mountain, water and refelctions are good for fish and chips and a wind down.
This is a haven for seabirds and we saw Cormorant, Little Gull, Eider Duck, Herring, Black Backed, Black Headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Wagtails, Oyster Catcher and Curlew in just a few minutes - and of course always a gang of Crows lurking around for anything dead or alive.
The War Memorial in the picture above was erected in the 1920s but now stands precariously close to the water. Over the years it has become a familiar landmark on the shores of this loch- it would be sad to lose. It is a national crisis that so many war memorials are falling in to disrepair and their origin and purpose not passed onto the young. In years gone by streets had their own wall mounted memorials to the war dead of the community. Most are now gone and names and events forgotten.
Enjoy the pictures on the LINK HERE and have a great weekend all!

No snow?

2008-03-27T07:58:00.005Z

click HERE to make your flake.

I watched as little flurries of snow danced past the window yesterday. A bit late in the year with Easter now past but a refreshing pause nonetheless. Little spirals spinning softly, pulled this way and that with winds breath. So beautiful that l just had to stop and listen - a blanket of quiet and then it was gone.

Thanks to my sister-in-law for the poem below- sent this morning. She took my post above and chopped out the prose to find the poem. How nice was that!

Snow

Little flurries fly past the window,
spirals spinning softly
with winds breath pulled this way
and that, a blanket of quiet
then gone.

Circle of Life

2008-03-26T10:50:00.003Z

By this time last week the mid-week blues had certainly set in- now seven days further on and l'm doing much better. In fact it has just started snowing again outside which is a refreshing change to the grey days common to this time of year. Last week the sky was grey and low, the buildings and sea just another shade of.. you guessed it..grey. Even the wee birdies sat on the chimney opposite seemed colourless. But this week has been different- although cold it has been clear and cloudless- a nice start for springtime! Over the weekend l spent many hours in the garden. Spring a time of rebirth, a time of weeding and planting and in that a renewed hope. l wrote about this last year - about what l believe is an 'internal seasonal clock'. You can read that old post HERE.
As with everything though, there are balances and during this past month a few blogging friends have suffered the loss of someone they love. This is close to my heart and still a tender subject so when l heard a poem on television last week l knew l had to blog about it. I’m not sure if it is a poem or even part of a play but the words certainly spoke to me. I believe it's about the loss of a loved one - written by a man from Glasgow.

Easter Rambo

2008-03-20T10:23:00.018Z

Yesterday wee S came home from school with a note that read, “Easter bonnets tomorrow please.”. Given that l was in the midst of cooking dinner and that Scout club was at six l had to use what was available – certainly no time for shopping!
So l hunted around the house opening cupboards, junk drawers and scarf boxes (in a blind panic) as you do. I found an old black cap that wouldn’t be missed and some plastic coloured eggs. I stood there looking at these and then it occurred to me -why not make a nest!
I was a woman on a mission as l went up the back garden with the secateurs. After a bit of glue gunning and burning myself lots l thought it looked pretty good, that was….. until l walked into S’s class this morning and saw what the other kids were wearing. I need some scary music now.
The classroom was festooned with ribbons, chicks and eggs - the colours yellow and pink were prevalent everywhere!
My heart sank for here was my wee lad looking like something out of Universal Soldier – what was l thinking!! Poor wee S, will he ever forgive me?

Below: wee S standing with head down. Oh dear.

I think some of us are just born to be different!

UPDATE: Just in from the school pick up and my little 'soldier of fortune' is fine.

Just a little nutty- and l don't mean the seaweed

2008-03-17T10:47:00.005Z

This past week l’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster – crying myself through most of the weekend! I haven’t slept well either, feel tired all the time and quite fragile (if that makes sense). The illness in February really knocked me for six and l am still recovering from it- either that or l’m just going a tad loopy- just a tad.
Yesterday we decided to go to a beach not too far from the house but remote enough and quiet. We walked along the stretch of sand, climbed up into the hillside with wee S and sat on the rocks by the water to soak up the sunshine. Unfortunately the batteries in my camera went and so l missed out on some beautiful scenery snaps but perhaps that was a good thing because it gave me the opportunity to just sit and relax.
This morning after taking wee S to school l stopped off at the Health Shop and bought some magnesium/calcium/zinc tablets recommended by my darling sister. These with some fish oil capsules should have me up and running in no time.

DID YOU KNOW:
Magnesium is just as vital to bones as calcium. It is also vital for muscle function, energy production and for the nervous system.
DEFICIENCY SIGNS:
Heart problems, high blood pressure, fatigue, mental confusion, muscle cramps, PMS, insomnia and high stress levels.
GOOD FOOD SOURCES:
Seaweed, wholegrains, nuts, tofu, dried fruit, fish, eggs and dark green vegetables.

This afternoon l’m headed across the water to take my mum to the hospital for a heart check-up. We’ll probably do some food shopping afterwards so I’d better go and look through the cupboards to see what’s needed. I wonder, do l have any seaweed left?

Dear Doctor Rhyanidd.
I tried your Celtic nutty flavoured sea lettuce with a trace of tangy iodine; vinegar smothered on dulce fish pie and rounded rockweed yogurt smoothie this past week for lunch specials and guess what? They all made me sick! I was pretty cheesed off as it took several weeks of collecting the ingredients from various shores. I also wore through two pair of wellies and had a near collision with an aggrieved sheep that was after the same piece of Kelp! I even sprinkled the smoothie with the dried wild nori meal, specially dried on standing stones by large-breasted women during the full moon, as you suggested. I wish now l just had a bowl of porridge oats instead! Help!

Local Landmarks Disappearing

2008-03-09T19:03:00.007Z

"The government needs to recognise that if the local post office closes, often the last shop in the village closes as well."
Charles Hendry, Conservative post offices spokesman

The first letter T in the word stationary hangs askew, as if it itself feels spiritless about the shop’s closure below. Yes, it’s official- our wee post office around the corner has been closed. A sad sight now, sitting there with empty windows, empty card stacks, empty shelves and cleared off counters. Gone are the parcel weighing scales and friendly smiles with cheerful antidotes for rainy days.

Sadly many of us have found ordering online and direct banking easier. When we do choose to go out it tends to be at a larger shopping complex where we can get everything done in one pit-stop ~ food shopping, gasoline, fast food, postal services, etc.

I will miss that wee post office- now just another shopping space lying dormant on an even emptier street. A street that once had its own thriving community ~ a butchers, bakers, grocers, tailors, shoe shop etc. My dear neighbour, Maurice (87yrs) used to live above the old sweet shop on that road and can vividly recall the hustle and bustle of days gone by- a yesteryear that l would prefer to what is there now.

What is happening to the wee lady who digs around in her purse for the right change; penalised if she doesn’t use direct debits instead for paying her bills? Does she have to trudge miles further now to collect her pension or post a parcel? Will l be that old lady one day struggling against a government who cares more about the ‘viability’ of a product or institution rather than taking the socially responsible role and realising that these post office buildings are not just some shoestring operation but more often the heart of a community?
Certainly an era is passing before us and l am not so sure that it is for the better. Whether it is the closure of a rural schools or sub post offices - once these institutions are gone they are gone forever. More of our cultural history and our heritage passes away and community becomes yet more degraded.
Post office closure plan protest

Coughs & sneezes spread diseases

2008-02-28T14:35:00.007Z

It's just as well the penicillin has kicked in and l'm feeling much better once again because things have certainly not slowed down this end and it's my turn to play nurse.
• My poor Hubby is barely sitting upright in his chair at work this afternoon, not from drink l might add, but from this chest cold wee S had last week. He has been surviving from one Lemsip to the next- faxing his colleagues rather than passing on germs in person. His voice has dropped a few octaves and he sounds very serious in an attractive Mr. Darcy sort of way. Lots of TLC for him when he gets home.
• Wee S was at the dentist (emergency visit) yesterday and had three of his milk teeth pulled- poor wean. Three abscesses above each tooth caused from trauma from his very worn down milk teeth- not from cavities. Two of the teeth were quite wobbly and ready to come out anyway and l don't think the dentist was taking chances with the last. S (age 6) was very brave and even sang a little tune as she pulled to the beat. Really.
Both wee S and l have been quite run down lately and our resistance seems lowered to infection. I just hope that this gum infection did not damage any of his permanent teeth.
In the photo above you can still see his swollen lip from the anaesthetic. It is the hardest thing for a mother to watch her child having these injections. Although wee S squeezed my hand tightly l was so proud that he kept such composure for a wee lad. Needless to say the Tooth Fairy visited during the night and left golden coins.

Things can only go up from here!

Reading Bug

2008-02-24T12:19:00.005Z

S’s reading has really taken off! At the moment we’re working through the Horrid Henry series with him. Last night l was about to read to him when he clasped the book possessively against his chest and said, “No Mum, it’s ok, l can read this book with my eyes closed.” Eh? Daddy and l both ended up reading him a chapter after he did his bit which l might add was surprisingly good.
For a while now wee S and l have gone to the library on Mondays. His love of books has grown and he gets excited when he picks a good one to read. He now wants to read which is the best we could hope for. The picture is of wee S as a toddler – his hair sure took a long time coming in.
I can’t say that l was a big reader as a child, my brother was, but as an adult l have got the reading bug in a bad way which helps much when you’re stuck in the house with a nasty virus and can do little else. As for that, l’m back again on another dose of penicillin- a longer course of ten days this time rather than just the week. Hopefully this time it will do the trick. Wee S also has a sore throat with chesty cold- the doctor does not think it is the same infection (Scarletina) but put him on penicillin all the same. So it’s lots of reading for us both this weekend.
And below, just another picture of S for the heck of it. He's been busy this past hour doing Technic Lego with his Dad. Says he wants to be an Engineer like his big brother D.

Alphabet Ablution

2008-02-19T08:14:00.003Z

It’s official. A new entry for my ‘mumzie all-time-low’ list. Last night l jumped into wee S’s left over bathwater full of foam alphabets ~ all two sets with additional numerals and empty Matey bottle for full visual effect. I could swear l read the word 'flump' on my thigh as l stretched down to soap my toes and in other hills and dales phrases like, ‘one more bite won’t hurt’ and ‘l’ll join that gym tomorrow”. Isn’t it funny how the mind plays tricks?
I mean it’s not as if l’ve never shared bath water before. As a kid l remember sharing a bath with my friend and her sister. Their mother systematically washing one face, then another, then another; then arms and legs and so on. Somehow we were always all finished at the same time and getting wrapped up in towels when the next three siblings would jump in for their turn. Begs the question, who had their bath before us?
Anyway, these were fun days- the best of childhood for me. I remember afterwards sitting with our backs turned towards the heat of the fireplace, the cosy glow and feet tucked in towels - a time of innocence and safety.
Not quite the same as 'shampoo wrestling' with phonic foams!

A clear out

2008-02-18T13:08:00.005Z

The nurse called this morning to say l had a positive result for my strep throat swab- the infection that caused me getting ill in the first place. That’s good to know.
Anyway, I’m starting to feel much better - even did some early spring cleaning yesterday. I de-junked the little mudroom at the back of the house that doubles as laundry room. Why is it that these type of ‘back of the house’ rooms tend to mutate into the ideal dumping ground for things you don’t know where to put at the time- like a giant 3D junk drawer full of old lamp shades, recycled bottles and anything else you want to mention. Reorganising a room like this can be a cheap form of therapy (so l've been told) but you should be careful not to overdo it. If you find yourself uplifting flooring, updating plumbing or moving load bearing walls, you’ve probably gone too far. I have been known in these situations to ‘go too far’ but given that I’m still recuperating from a ghastly bug- l de-junked in moderation.
Yesterday was sunny everywhere else in the UK – sadly not on us. I’m not complaining though because it was dry and Hubby got a load of work done up in the back garden so we were able to take plenty to the dump between us. Later 'G' even lit a bonfire much to wee 'S's' delight.

Valentine's Day Quarantine

2008-02-14T14:54:00.001Z

Still haven't got around to visiting yet as l came down with Scarlet Fever last week. I still feel utterly weary and have suffered with every symptom there is. Thankfully l am half way through my dose of penicillin so will be feeling back to normal again soon. I don't know what l'd do without my husband at the moment- he's been a real gem. Happy Valentine's Day Love!!
Thanks to all who left kind comments on the last post. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with those you love.

The Clock Ticks

2008-02-05T10:17:00.000Z

The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains...for every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.

These past few months have been difficult. Two very
dear relations passed away in December 2007 which left
a void that memories are slowly easing.
Hope you are all doing well.

Dr. What? Dr. Who!

2007-11-01T13:01:00.001Z

Last night for Halloween hubby and l were busy helping out at the school fancy dress Disco. Our wee 'S' dressed up as the famous Time Lord and Adventurer, Dr. Who. 'S' takes his role as Dr. Who very seriously and has done for quite some time, modelling himself on the Scottish actor (currently playing the role of the Doctor), David Tennant. He pulls the same faces and poses, talking as if he is in fact the real Doctor - a true fan.
During the summer we made S his own Tardis (time machine & spacecraft) - to see it LINK HERE.

This past May at the Chelsea Flower Show there was a display called, 'A Garden in Time' using the theme of Dr. Who.
" Cardiff County Council will create A Garden in Time feature celebrating one of the region’s most successful recent exports, Doctor Who, which is made by BBC Wales and filmed extensively in Cardiff. The garden will feature the Tardis as the centrepiece of the dual garden contrasting a typical 1960s urban garden (when Doctor Who was first on our screens) with a modern day garden emphasising an awareness of sustainability, recycling and climate change."

Talking about recycling and space travel, just before going out last night l made myself a giant broomstick (to compliment my Witch outfit) from the dried up grasses in the garden. l won't tell you what hubby's comment was about that!-lol.

Lastly, for those of you who have a scientific mind and extra free time on their hands, the Robotic Dalek Pumpkin. LINK HERE to see how it's made. LINK HERE to watch it in action.
Hope you all had a great Halloween.
Bests for now.

Call it a day

2007-10-27T21:55:00.001+01:00

Like Jamie and the Magic Torch
Wind licks the chimney slide
Softening whirling sounds in a room gently lit

I hear a wee lad playing in his bath
A big lad playing on his guitar
Rain stroking panes in parallel relief

I think of bulbs needing planted
Dream of cosy sleep on an even keel
Where parents are better
And Halloween past
~~~

Thank you for all the lovely wishes for my birthday.
Bests.

Freshers, Fundraising & Freeze

2007-09-28T14:47:00.001+01:00

Just sitting here for a few minutes waiting for the tradesman from Scottish Gas to appear. Yesterday we had a problem with our connection between the thermostat and boiler so our radiators were not coming on when needed. The weather up this way has turned quite chilly and without the heating on it feels like we’ve skipped autumn and jumped straight into winter!

I decided to go with the Council job after all and so have been busy filling out forms for Disclosure Scotland checks, etc. I am pleased to say that l am also working ‘fill-in’ and volunteer hours for the other job too so in a way managed to marry them both together.

During this past week hubby and l became committee members at the Parent Teachers' Association (PTA) for S’s school. It will be good to get actively involved in the fundraising events throughout the year.

Both D and M have finished with Freshers week and are now down to serious study. We are heading up on Sunday to visit, drop off some food parcels and set up M’s Wi-Fi connection.

D got a weekend job with a bank, which will help support him financially while at university. This past fortnight he had to go through four different stages of interviews including a math test. The numbers of applicants for the post started at over 20 and dwindled down to 14, 7, 4 etc. l remember D calling me after the last interview- he felt he had done his best but didn’t think he’d get the job as the others seemed more qualified. The next day however he got the call to tell him that he made it through! I am so proud of him for not giving up, for travelling to all the different places and sticking with it. The bank that D is going to work for won the 2006 awards for ‘Best bank in the world’- beating off competition from Canada and India. High speed Internet banking with a Scottish accent - what more would you want.

Well l need to run and pick up a wee laddie. After the October holidays wee S will be in school full-time. I am glad now that things are changing and moving on - better to keep busy.
Have a lovely weekend all.