Making Wishes Come True For A Dear Friend

 

Today has indeed been the hot day they promised!

It was lovely to see the tots at Parent and Toddlers in pretty summer dresses and little shorts.

Back home I had a delivery from Amazon.....could it be mistaken for a sewing machine box do you think?

 

 

 

 

It is of course the new deluxe litter tray for the cats!

It will be so much more discrete than the traditional one we had before.

I have left the door off for a while, to get them used to knowing that's where they have to go.

 

 

 

I sorted out my stash of hotel soap bars, ready to take to London at the weekend, where they will ultimately be taken to Africa.

I was surprised to count up almost 50 bars!

Not that we have had the pleasure of staying in hotels 50 times, but we often get a collection of toiletries for each of us in the family room.

 

 

 

A close friend of mine has always envied my high line.

A couple of years ago I stumbled across a local man who made up high lines (basically scaffolding poles) and made enquiries to buy one.

Unfortunately he was unable to fit them, only supply and deliver.

I told my friend if she could find a local handyman to fit it (her hubby isn't too hands on!) then I would buy it for her for Christmas.

Well the years have gone by and the belated present got forgotten about.

This week when she was round she, I was hoisting up my line and she said again how she envied it, so, my mission this week has been to get it sorted once and for all!

I got hold of the same man, who now also fits them!

Turns out he lives in the next road to us and I pass his house just about every day!

When trying to arrange a suitable time, he offered this afternoon as he had a cancellation.

So, I went round with the money and learnt from his wife he had already left to put it up!

This is the result and my friend is over the moon,

in her own words its a "wish come true!"

She can't wait to use to tomorrow, for tonight she has to be patient and let the cement dry.

She is badgering me to pay for it, needless to say I won't be accepting and have told her she would deny me the pleasure of doing something special for a special friend if she persists.

Isn't it great to be able to give someone something so very simple, but will bring great pleasure.

It's clear she is a bit of a nutter like me and just loves to hang washing out and admire the scene!

 

 

Who couldn't love this scene!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saying Goodbye To Another Friend

 

Today was the usual earlier than normal start for me, to get Teen One to school.

Hubby managed to hurt his eye somehow, it started out with getting shampoo in it, nothing too alarming about that, other than it caused way more pain than seemed necessary.

An hour later he had puss coming from his eye!

We can only assume that he maybe had a stye starting and that's why the shampoo was so painful?

We will of course keep an eye on things (pardon the pun!)

At 9am I collected Grandma, to go to Winchester.

Usually this would be a pleasant day out, but today it was for a funeral sadly.

A dear friend, who I got to see way less than I would like to have, died of  cancer a couple of weeks ago.

She is a little older than me, but age never seems to matter once you leave school!

She will be sadly missed, some people touch your heart more than others don't they, and she was one of them.

We used the Park and Ride service, which is very easy and cheap and has lovely views of Catherine's Hill from the bus stop.

 

 

After the funeral we went into Debenhams for a cuppa, Grandma's eldest granddaughter works there so we were hoping to catch her by surprise.

She was on lunch break when we arrived, so we indulged in some delicious toasted fruit bread whilst waiting for her.

We happened to see some church friends from a few miles away, so we had a catch up with them at the same time!

My niece came back on duty eventually and was of course surprised to see us.

We had a good catch up and confessed that Grandma had got rather irritated with the "bad service" when my niece was at lunch, and seeing a man waiting to be served and no staff at the counter, took it upon herself to go through the "staff only" door and shout out loudly

"Shop!!!"

I sat lower and lower in my seat hoping no one noticed!

 

 

Having said our goodbyes, Grandma wanted to walk up Winchester High Street to try and recapture the picture from a jigsaw puzzle we bought her last year Christmas...this is the old High Street...

 

 

..and this is it today.

I didn't have the picture with me so was pleased I wasn't too far out!

 

 

As we walked back to the bus stop I couldn't help wondering what this would be like!!

Having tried beetroot cake and enjoyed it (don't knock it till you've tried it!) I thought it would be an experience!

Shame we didn't have time to stop!

 

 

 

 

We were touched to see this simple memorial for the Manchester tragedy, 22 candles and flowers for the 22 victims who have lost their lives.

 

 

 

Back home, I wanted to make the most of the wonderful weather and get some more washing out, but at the moment I still only have one line....but undeterred, I wrapped the detached lower line around the gazebo and managed to get a machine load out on it!

Not the prettiest of sights I know, but never mind!

 

I don't know how long this weather is going to last, but I wish someone would take my free leather sofa off my hands so I can get the garden furniture under the  gazebo again and enjoy this lovely weather!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praying For Manchester

 

Last night I went to bed rather dreading today...the usual six month dental check up being the reason for my wishing to fast forward the day!

However, when I woke and logged on to my Facebook account, I had a message from a friend across the Atlantic saying how sorry she was to hear about the Manchester tragedy.

At that point I had no idea what she meant, but it didn't take long to catch up with the very sad news.

As a parent I can imagine the horror of the incident unfolding and the panic that would have set in trying to get responses from texts and phone calls...and in turn the agony of knowing some children would have learnt that their parents waiting for them in the foyer had been caught up and killed or injured in this atrocity.

So very very sad and our hearts and prayers go out to all involved.

 

So....a visit to the dentist was a walk in the park and I chided myself for being such a baby!

On arriving at the dentist for 8.45am I was told my usual dentist was on holiday ( 4mths!!) and I had a lady dentist instead.

I don't know why, but instantly I was more at ease and when I met her I was completely at my ease.

She was chatty and talked me through all she was doing.

Even when she said a small filling was needed in between two teeth I wasn't a bit concerned.

Normally that would fill me with dread at a return visit.

 I am sure it was her easy  "bedside manner" that made all the difference.

My usual dentist is very solemn and doesn't talk at all, even when I try to make small talk he answers with only one or two words.

When I went to make the next appointment I was offered a cancellation at lunch time, which I accepted immediately.

I spent the next couple of hours not worrying at all and even when back in the chair, the injection didn't bother me ( it was a bit painful too) and the drill still managed to hit a nerve which made me jump with the pain, but even that didn't phase me, I felt completely at ease with the lovely lady dentist.

So, its not my fear of pain clearly, its my fear of the man himself!

What a shame he is only gone for four months!

All you dentists out there, take time to just talk to your patients, it can make all the difference!

 

 

 

Whilst waiting for the lunchtime appointment I popped in to town for a few bits.

A family member who we are meeting up with at the weekend has a grandson who is going to Africa in the summer to help out at a Christian mission station.

He is taking out as many essentials/toys as he can and has asked for contributions to fill his case.

I picked up a few bits, thinking of things that are light, don't need batteries, would be suitable for boys or girls etc.

The bottom  two items are giant polystyrene gliders, they look great fun and I thought would keep the kids occupied for hours.

Skipping ropes are always popular as are frisbies etc.

I have a collection of guest soaps from various hotel visits, so will include them and also buy some sanitary products later in the week.

 

 

The sock knitting recommenced last night, bliss!

I was slightly unsure about the heel turn, as I have made this sock bigger than previous ones, but I am thrilled that Christine's instructions for changing sizes are very comprehensive so I needn't have worried!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What..Three Days and No Sock Knitting!

 

We were promised sunshine today...and we got exactly that!

How lovely its been!

The Teens both woke feeling well thankfully.

Teen One spent the day at her school placement whilst Teen Two of course has Monday's off

but he has been very industrious...

 

 

...he cleaned the car for me...

 

 

...cleaned out the gerbils and then cleaned out the bunnies.

 

 

The weather was so lovely I was able to get several loads of washing dry, but am missing my low line, which was taken down during the building work.

I just know Hubby is going to hate drilling into the new PVC conservatory!

 

I visited my Monday Recycled Teenager as usual, who sadly wasn't well enough to come out today,

I must confess to starting to feel a little worried about her health right now.

 

 

 

 

The rest of the day was spent pottering, aside from a brief sit in the garden when my friend popped in during her lunch break...I think that's the first time we have sat in the garden this year, it was lovely!

 

 

 

 

 

The builder came by to check out the weather proofing and was disappointed to have a couple of small leaks, so he is getting hold of the roof manufacturers for some rubber seals to go in  between the struts.

 

 

 

Having not managed to fit in any sock knitting for a few days I am getting serious withdrawal symptoms!

Tonight I hope to remedy that!

 

 

 

 

 

A Quieter Than Usual Sunday

 

Today has been a quieter day than usual.

Firstly we learnt this morning that Teen Two had been ill in the night...

 

 

 

 

...then when Teen One came down, we learnt that she had been up with one of her stomach migraines!

So the three of us stayed home from church this morning.

 

 

 

I pottered instead, whilst of course making the usual roast dinner....I thought of Teen Two when I saw this quote...he often says it to me...but he is of course biased!

Needless to say he was on rations today!

 

 

This afternoon was quieter too, some snoozing on the sofa and just a quick game or two afterwards.

I am hoping everyone has a quiet night and recovers completely ready for the new week.

 

 

 

 

 

The End Is In Sight!

 

Today has been rather a busy one for Teen One and I.
We went to church late morning to get organised for our annual church conference.

I had made some jam jar rainbow jellies for any kids who came along with their parents,

there was a small handful and they enjoyed the little treat.

I also put out a Teen One's chocolate fountain, which they huddled around for most of the tea session!

However Teen One and I have decided we aren't going to keep it, its so small, and barely flows at all, it would be much easier to just put a bowl of melted chocolate out!

I think the problem is the size of the fountain, but it was only a tenner some years ago from Robert Dyas so what did we expect!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen One did her usual fruit flower display, which everyone enjoyed and felt were too pretty to eat...but what was the point in making them if no one was going to eat them I said!

 

 

 

I had taken along my tulips to decorate the tables with, adding some white stocks and gyp, some of which now adorns my kitchen window sill.

 

The builders came late morning to finish off making the roof water tight.

They are coming back on Monday to wash the roof down.

The conservatory and garden has been left clean and tidy, with none of the tools here or in the garage, so I assume that means their work here in the main is done.

I am still waiting for a price on the tiling, and no doubt I will have to wait a bit as I suspect they have a new job to start next week.

Life will still be chaotic indoors as I cant move everything out of the front room until the tiling is done, but at least the end is in sight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Service Is King (Cole!)

 

I was delighted to wake to sunshine this morning, it meant the builders would be able to get the roof on and get the plastering done finally.

I had shopping to do, not only family food for the weekend, but church food too, we have a conference tomorrow and I pick up what's not been volunteered by the other members.

With that job out of the way, I came home to find this parcel waiting for me!

It was the wool from King Cole, to recompense me for the faulty ball I had complained about.

As FQ2FF said "Customer Service is King!"

I will have enough sock yarn to keep me going for quite a while that's for sure!

Thank you King Cole for caring about your customers!

 

 

After the usual chores, I took time out to do a bit of knitting.

For the first time  I am attempting to make this pair bigger, seeing as they are for a man.

I am using the pattern from Winwick Mum's blog for the bigger size. Its the decreasing that will be interesting!

 

 

The builders worked hard, the main slog is done, everything else should be less time consuming and not weather reliant.

 

 

Its lovely to see the blue skies through the new glass roof.

Its tinted, so is dark from the outside, to minimise sun damage and intense heat inside, but from inside it looks clear...very clever!

Local cats used to use our old roof as a short cut....it will be funny to see them walking across this one...if they brave it of course.

 

 

 

 

At the risk of repeating myself, I found some tiles that were within my price range earlier in the week, and the kind man at Topps Tiles worked it out to be just over £300, with their current sale price.

Today I went in to buy them, only to discover they don't hold many tiles in stock, and it would be two weeks before they arrived, which was longer than I wanted to wait unless I really had to.

Whilst considering my options I asked for a final price, as I wanted two square metres less than I had originally asked the assistant to price up.

When today's assistant worked it out it was almost £700!

What??!!

I explained  I had asked for a price on Monday and it was half that price, of course I hadn't asked for a print out (which she said I should have been given anyway) so it was only my word against theirs.

Well this really put a different spin on things....so I said I would come back tomorrow but needed to look around first.

I went straight to Tile Giant...on the same estate, walked straight in saw more or less the same tile...just a slight difference in size, asked the assistant to price it up....£300+ and would be available by Tuesday!

Seeing as only an hour ago I had activated a 10% off purchases with my bank card for Tile Giant I didn't need to think twice about the purchase

The builder suggested today we have tiles instead of skirting as well...which I wasn't sure about when he explained it, but I happened to notice its in the above picture and quite like the look...no painting of skirting every few years, just a swish over with the mop when I clean the floor.

We have yet to get a price for the job, we have already spent way more than we intended....but I guess if its worth doing, its worth doing well.

 

 

 

At Friday club our Bible story was the Good Samaritan, for the activity we did cut outs of the children's hands and then got them to write along the fingers ways in which they could show kindness or be helpful to those around them.