A Long But Productive Day

 

Today was a very long day....purely because it was a short night!

I woke at 2.15am and couldn't get back to sleep.

Hubby got up around 3.15am and then went downstairs...which mystified me somewhat.

When I looked out of the window, he was in the garden with the torch....trying to catch the bunnies!

He had, I learned told Teen Two he would put them away before coming to bed, but forgot!

We have lots of urban foxes up and down our alley most nights, so its not worth the risk leaving the out.

 

 

At 4.15 we were still both wide awake, so I went downstairs to make us a cuppa.

We both dozed a little, but not a proper sleep, until the alarm went off at 5.30am and so started a longer than usual day!

 

 

I finished the dreaded brown zig zag socks and was not happy to discover a fault in the yarn.

A whole band of colour (green) was missing!

Annoyingly the fault was on the first sock and I didn't notice..although I did notice the join, which irked me somewhat...who wants a knot on a sock? Very uncomfortable!

It would appear when it was rejoined they didn't join at the right part!

I emailed King Cole, who surprised me with responding within the hour!

They have asked me to send the ball back...well slight problem seeing as I have knitted it up ( how else would I know there was a fault!)

Anyway lets see how they respond  to my reply, reminding them I had actually knitted up the ball.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't intend unpicking the sock, it will spend most of its time in a shoe I guess, but its a little frustrating to say the least.

I then blocked them, along with another pair I finished a while ago...

 

 

 

...and guess what...got straight on with ANOTHER pair...and ANOTHER yarn that I am not particularly in love with!
I bought this ball of Stylecraft Head over Heels last year, before I discovered the lovely patterns available from WYS and Opal.

However, until my order from WYS arrives I thought I would be a good girl and try to finish this pair.

 

The rest of the day was spent catching up on paperwork, renewing some insurances having checked I had the best deal online, and generally catching up on things I usually ignore...including vaccuming books!

Hubby has a vast library of books, most of which spend years sat on the shelf and consequently the dust builds up.

Its one of those (many) jobs that no one will ever notice, unless they happen to pick a book off the shelf and then choke with the layers of dust!

 

 

The builders have been hard at it, the windows are now in, the wall by the door boarded in, roof covered in tarpaulin, which is just as well as it was pouring with rain just now!

 

 

The large wall has been plastered, insulated and then plasterboard put on top ready for plastering, that should keep the cold and damp out!

This wall has been a problem for years and the builder promised he would throw everything at to help the room be a more useable one.

 

He offered to lay the flooring for us ( not part of the original quote) so I have been out tonight looking at tiles.

I did have some idea what I wanted ( which is a miracle) and am glad I went and checked one lot out, in real life its very different to the website, principally because in real life it looks like it has had a pot of kids glitter glue dropped on it....those messy days are over, I really don't want to be looking at that all the time!

However it was a good move as it prompted me to visit Homebase who had very similar tiles, without the glitter effect and much cheaper!

Hubby is delighted at the idea he might not have to spend the Bank Holiday doing DIY...but it all depends on the quote of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double Blessings!

 

Well we might have had glorious sunshine over the weekend, but today was a different story!

It was grey and wet.

The builders sent a text to say unless the weather improved, they wouldn't be able to crack on with the next phase today, and as the weather did not improve, it was a day lost to the project sadly.

 

 

 

 

As usual I visited my Monday Recycled Teenager, went shopping and then back home in time for a friend calling in for lunch.

As my friend has increased her workload whilst a colleague is off for chemo, a Monday visit will probably be a regular slot....as Monday's is shopping day, it sounds like the perfect excuse to bring back a treat for us both!

Talking of treats...she brought me in a bunch of flowers....tulips too...I really am in love with tulips at the moment!

 

 

 

My friend had no sooner left than the door bell went...it was my late neighbour's son....

...with another bunch of flowers...tulips too!!

So it was double blessings for me today, whether I am in the kitchen or the living room I have these lovely beauties to admire!

 

Teen Two and I popped in to town.

We took two charity bags worth of unwanted videos and DVDs to leave in Sainsbury's, who have a table for book and video donations for local causes.

I really like this idea, giving locally, and have picked up several books and DVDs in the past...some of which were probably back on the table, having been enjoyed by ourselves and now feel its time to pass on for someone else to enjoy.

When we arrived home the postie had been...and what a relief to see a package from Australia,

containing Teen One's favourite hat, which I had accidently left behind.

The bizzare thing is, I felt sure I had left it in the apartment we stayed in on the second week, I "vividly remembered" putting it in the wardrobe...how wrong can you be!!

It had been in my cousin's house, where we had stayed for the first few days.

I am shocked at how much it cost to send something so light, over $20!

 

 

After a much needed cup of tea, I settled down to some sock knitting, before tackling the housework.

I really need to get this sock finished, I ordered two balls of yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners today, I just know once it arrives I will want to cast on the stitches and get cracking with the pretty colours!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sun Has Got His Hat On....!

We have had a glorious weekend weather wise, with the sun well and truly showing its smiling face!

 

Saturday morning Hubby had been invited to a lecture by his brother, from the Creation Science Movement.

It was held locally, so I sent him off with a breakfast bap knowing he wouldn't have time for lunch afterwards.

 

 

 

 

The Teens and I pottered, I made an apple crumble for Sunday's dessert...using half wholemeal flour for a change.

When Grandma saw it she thought I had used Weetabix!

Just might try that one day!

 

 

After lunch we collected Hubby, then drove out to the countryside for a church conference at a tiny picturesque village.

We enjoyed the company and the Bible teaching and also the delicious tea, which we ate outside in the glorious sunshine.

 

 

 

Today was our usual sort of Sunday,

church first thing, followed by the traditional roast dinner

 

 

We had our usual games fest, minus Teen One who was working on her coursework, with the sun streaming in through the window.

 

 

There was a bit of sock knitting....

 

 

 

...and even a bit of DIY for Hubby!!

This is not something he usually tackles on a Sunday, but it was a case of needs must.

Once the glass roof is on, we wont be able to access the area above it, and as it hasn't been painted since we moved in 24 years ago, it was in dire need of it!

It's possible the builders will be putting some fascia on, but just in case, this will tidy the area up a little.

 

 

Tonight was church again as usual,

 and  a beautiful sunny evening with the birds singing, which really made for a lovely end to the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always Behind The Times!

 

Today Teen One and I took some friends out for a celebratory coffee and cake.

The excuse reason for the celebration was of course Teen One passing her driving test last week.

We went to our favourite tea shop out in the country, who serve the best home made scones for miles.

Our friends agreed and are keen to return with the rest of their family soon.

 

 

Their little granddaughter loves Teen One and takes her by the hand whenever she sees her to go for a little walk

 

 

 

The weather wasn't very special when we were out, but by the time we arrived back home the blue skies were starting to show...and the builders have made great strides with the roof struts.

I am hoping that by this time next week it will be ready for Hubby putting the finishing touches to it, like laying the floor....so glad we have a Bank Holiday coming up!

 

 

 

At Friday Club the kids enjoyed decorating their fish.

 

 

 

 

We made a little "mouth" for the fish, and gave each child five pence to put inside on a sticky pad, to reinforce the story of the tribute money the Lord was miraculously able to pay...and of course they can buy themselves a few penny sweets with the money tomorrow.

 

 

 

Over the past week I have heard  on the radio about the latest craze

"fidget spinners."

I didn't have the faintest idea what they were, until one of the children brought one to club tonight.

Goodness knows whoever thinks up these things, or how they become popular and whilst the loom band craze was more productive to my way of thinking, having had a little play with this tonight I can see the attraction...being a "fiddler" myself!

I believe they are only a couple of pounds so that's not bad at all and as it is "shop" at Friday Club in a couple of weeks I may splash out on a few.....I just hope the craze hasn't peaked yet...I bought a stash of loom bands when they were all the rage...except by the time I bought them they had peaked and I still have several packets left over!!

I was always the same as a kid, never up with the latest craze or fashion!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interior Design Inspiration Anyone?

 

 

First thing this morning the door bell went...it was a delivery man with some "sheets."

I wasn't aware we were having a delivery, but with the builders due any time I assumed it was something to do with the conservatory.

"Just put it in the front" I told the delivery man.

I would have suggested taking it through the garage, but didn't have the key to gain access from the back and wasn't sure if I should walk on the newly laid floor.

It was only when he gave me the receipt that I saw it was almost £1000 worth of goods!

Hmmm......not the best idea to leave it out in the front after all!

So I braved walking on the floor and asked the guy to pass it over the garden wall.

Little did I know some of the "sheets" were six metres long!

Quite how we did it I don't know, but manage it we did and by the time the builders arrived, the garden was full of white lengths of "profile" I learnt the proper word was.

The builders were very apologetic I had been put to such trouble ( well it was for me so I didn't see it as trouble to be honest) and explained the delivery was booked for the afternoon.

 

 

With the early arrival of the profile, they were able to get the frame work up, making it really start to look like a conservatory!

I still cant get over how big it looks inside!

I really really really DO NOT want to fill all that lovely space and will be thinking very hard what to put in there.

Some armchair window shopping hasn't really inspired me yet, and I am loathe to put back the old furniture!

Oh to be an interior design guru!

 

 

For the first time in days we were able to let the bunnies out, once the builders had left for the day...

 

 

...they were happy to be out finally and straight away started investigating the

changes that had been made.

 

 

I spent the morning at church, as usual, with Parent and Toddlers.

This afternoon I cut out some fish ahead of tomorrow's Friday Club.

 

 

 

I bagged up an entire charity sack worth of old videos, with the promise from Teen Two of more to come!

 

 

I even managed to fit in a spot of sock knitting.

Having turned the heel, I always feel like I am on the homeward straight...

and I will be so pleased to see this colour done and dusted.

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight Visitors!

 

This morning I pottered around, catching up on paperwork, before tackling some ironing.

The weather was lovely, but aside from hanging out the washing, before the builders arrived, there was no way I could make much use of the lovely day.

 

 

I also accepted the Uswitch quote...well who wouldn't with an annual saving of almost £400!

The second stage of the process was very easy, simply enter our bank details.

I hope the rest of the process is as straight forward.

 

I then  had to take Teen One into Uni to hand in an assignment and also have a one to one with her tutor.

 

 

I've pretty much exhausted the local shops near Uni, so decided to use the hour and a half free to take a drive into the country instead.

It was lovely to be out and see places I wasn't familiar with.

I stumbled across a small retail park with a Home Sense store.

I have shopped in the US version (Home Goods) so was intrigued as to what it sold.

It had an interesting selection of home goods and I bagged a couple of bargains in the clearance section.

I also checked out Pets At Home for "walk in" cat litter trays.

With the new lay out of the conservatory, the cat litter tray will be on show, so I want to camouflage it as much as possible!

I was surprised to see them start from as little as £10!

Although I rather like the look of a Curver one, but baulked at paying £48,

however Amazon have the same one for £34

I am considering grey/black floor tiles ( cream was a big mistake with muddy boots coming straight in from the garden during winter!) so this one should blend in pretty well.

 

 

I came home to the new floor filled in!

Wow, the space looks enormous!

 

 

The washing however is going to have to stay out for a while longer as the builder has my garage door key...

 

 

...and the new floor outside of the kitchen door is still soft!

Hopefully Hubby has a spare key and I can retrieve it when he gets home.

Hopefully no neighbourhood cats will pay us a visit over night....unlike last night!

I noticed the pile of grit had paw prints all over it...hopefully no unwelcome presents as well!

It certainly wasn't our cats as the cat flap is locked overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have U Switched?

 

Yesterday I mentioned this little clock, which no one in the family could get to work, and yet the little man at the independent watch repair shop, where it was bought, got it going straight away!

Well sadly, the alarm didn't go off this morning, so there was nothing for it but to pay the kind and patient man another visit!

He is one of these men, who has been in the same shop all his working life, just ticking over a living I imagine.

When I went in yesterday he had removed some links from an elderly lady's watch

"How much do I owe you?" she enquired

"Nothing" he said...

"It only took a couple of minutes"

Such a sweet man.

 

 

I had suggested he hold on to the clock for a couple of days, as I suspected it was an intermittent problem...but when he couldn't get the clock alarm to work he offered me a new clock.

Pink was the only option...I hope Grandma is ok with that!

 

 

I spent the morning spring cleaning the bedroom ...just where does all the dust come from!

I then took it into my head to move the large collection of videos/dvds up to the attic.

They have been on the landing for a number of years, making a very narrow walkway,

whilst I have resisted filling our guest room with "stuff"

I figured this space under the eaves wasn't being used, so would be an ideal hideaway for them.

I am going to get the family to try and reduce the number though, some have were picked up for pennies at charity shops and have never been seen!

 

 

So the landing is now nice and clear...apart from this little retro

sewing box, which used to be at the bottom of the stairs, but looks much better here.

However....I would like to find somewhere else for it ( and maybe not in our house!)
Our home is rather full of other people's cast offs, which I don't mind at all, but the house just isn't big enough for it all, so some downsizing of furniture is needed I think....it must be catching as Grandma and Grandad are also downsizing furniture ( and house) wise.

 

 

The builders have been working hard again, this small wall is up to it's intended height and the wall to the right is being "filled in."

 

 

A delivery has arrived ready to screed the new floor tomorrow

 

 

 

All these different levels, from the loo, kitchen and other half of the "old" conservatory" will be one level, we will just have one step from the garden into the conservatory, instead of walking straight out into the garden.

 

 

We are always hearing that if you haven't switched energy suppliers in three years, then you probably should.

Seeing as our energy bill has been pretty level for a few years, and actually went down last year,

we hadn't bothered.

But having just had sent in our meter reading, they have sent a bill saying the next monthly amount they want to take is £50 more!

Yikes!
So, today I went onto U Switch, it was a very easy process, especially as our supplier ( and presumably all suppliers) had sent an email a few weeks ago with our annual usage.

No surprise to learn they only want to raise it £10 a month from what we pay now.

I hope the process is as easy as the enquiry was.