...Happy Halloween, Everybody...

I don't feel much like smiling today - MORE bad news on the moving front - it seems that once again a buyer lower in the new chain is struggling to secure his finance! I just can't believe that this is going to happen to us once again - we've already had to remarket the bungalow because a FTB in the previous chain couldn't get a mortgage and now it looks like it's going to happen again - OMG!

...Dave & I so peeved off with it all ~ Happy Halloween, Everybody ...

...................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...remember, a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks...

ME ;0)

...Next Patient, Please...

Dave - 1 July 2007

Another early start this morning - 7.30am - Dave's at his back class again today and then he has an appointment at 11am with our GP - he's having his blood pressure checked again because the last reading was 160/90 - so now he's having to go back regularly to keep an eye on it... Dave's now 51 and in the last couple of years has had SO many hospital and doctors appointments - in his 20's, 30's and 40's he rarely went to the doctors & hardly even knew where the surgery was but now he's rarely out of it -

...I've told him - he's old - it's an age thing...

........................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator...

ME ;0)

...Is That Wedding Bells I Hear...?

Tom & Danielle (Dec '00) - both sweet 16!

Spent yesterday in London at Danielle & Tom's again - Dave completed the electrics for them and also fixed their TV - Dave was a TV/Video & Audio engineer in a previous life - so we left him and Danielle happy and pleased with the results...so that's good! The flat is coming on nicely, Tom's still moaning at the DIY side of home-building but they are so happy together (they've been together for 7 years - started seeing each other when they were both 15 and have been 'an item' ever since.

...no talk of engagements or weddings...but I'll keep waiting & hoping that I'll have an excuse to buy a new outfit soon...

...................................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

..if you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before...

ME:0)

...Hey! Is There More Bread...?

Dave & I have been to our local farmer's market this morning bought homemade chutney, apple juice, scones & the most gorgeous bread you've ever tasted - needless to say the bread had almost gone before we'd even left the car park - there really is nothing quite like the taste of hastily torn-off chunks of freshly made warm bread whilst sitting in the car...

...we're still arguing about who's going to clear up the crumby mess left behind...

...........................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...opportunities always look bigger going than coming...

ME ;0)

...Can We Really Be Moving...?

Our Very First Holiday Together in Kidwelly, Wales (July 1979)

We've just had a phone call from our estate agent regarding - THE MOVE! - it seems that we might, just might be exchanging contracts next week - YIPPEE! - I'm trying not to get too excited as we have been here before....but if it happens - it really can't come soon enough!!

It's a detached bungalow on the edge of the village with open views across fields to the back and side - it has a huge kitchen, separate dining room and two large bedrooms - I've already got colour charts and brochures and ideas coming out of my ears......maybe this time it'll really happen

...after all we've only been nearly eight months waiting...

.......................................................................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car...

ME;0)

...Knock Me Out And Stretcher Me On...

Steve - July 2007

Yippee! Heard from Steve (eldest son) this morning from OZ - he's currently working and living in Sydney. He went on 20 Nov. '06 on a year work visa and has fallen in love with the place & the people (especially an American called Jackie - but that's another long story for another day) & has decided to stay for ever (if he has his way).
He's managed to secure a well paid position with Deutsche Bank and they have agreed to sponsor him for another year at least. This is fantastic news for Steve but no so for Dave & I - we want him to be happy, of course we do, after all that's how we brought him up to be independent and think for himself but it still makes me very sad & leave an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach to think of him being so far away from us. He has said that he hopes to return for a holiday next year and it can't come quick enough for me - Dave & I have never flown, so the thought of going across the world on our very first flight is scary to say the least.

...but if he stays it'll be 'Knock me out & stretcher me on...'

............................................................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...my idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance...

ME ;0)

...Remember To Back-Up Your Work...

Tom aka electric lifeform

I think that winter is clearly on the way today, it's been so dark and miserable & cold with it - bit like my mood, these days. Needless to say, we're still waiting for news on moving - but I'm not going to go on about it today - positive thoughts ONLY positive thoughts ;0)

Spoke to Tom last night he's having major problems with his laptop hard-drive and is having to spend more than £400 to get it put right - he gigs and of course has loads of his original recordings on it - typical Tom though - he hasn't backed up any of it and is now going to have to pay a high price to get it sorted

...perhaps, this'll teach him to back-up things and back-up again - but knowing Tom and how laid back he is - probably not...

...........................................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...what happens if you get scared half to death - twice...?

ME ;0)

...We Really Are Gluttons For Punishment...

An emo-cow - I saw this and it made me smile - just ;0)

Still, very fed up today ;0(

I've just spoken to our Estate Agent and it seems that our buyers are still waiting for a drainage/surface water report - we have now been waiting for 5 weeks for the local water company to pull their fingers out and get on with the job... BOY! you need to take a lot of deep breathes when you're selling a property. I've told Dave that I don't want to do this again next year...but knowing us we will -

...We Really Are Gluttons For Punishment...

.........................................................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain...

ME ;0)

...Why Does It Take So Long To Sell Your Property...?

...Front View of the bungalow we're trying to sell...

I'm SO fed up today, I feel that I've waited all day for a phone call (from our Estate Agent or Solicitor) that hasn't arrived - A G A I N! We've now been on the market For Sale, since 9 March & are currently in our 33rd week - Can You Believe It? We can't - the selling of this bungalow (Project 4) is just going on and on and there just doesn't seem to be an end to it. It's just so frustrating when there's delay after delay and it's not of our making and of course, there's ABSOLUTELY nothing Dave & I can do about it but to sit tight and wait for the call that finally gives us the completion date...

..Maybe Tomorrow - we'll get the call - but Probably Not...

................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...if you look like your passport picture, you probably need the holiday...

ME ;0)

...BOY, What An Exciting Life I Lead...

Doris (Dave's Mum) made this cake in 1985 for Steve's 3rd Birthday - great isn't it??

It's another glorious day today - very sunny & bright but with a slight chill in the air - I've spent the best part of the morning continuing to sort our photos into some sort of order, (that are on the computer) - I still haven't finished but thought I'd stop for a minute and do the daily blog - for something else to do - maybe I'll go back to the photo's later - but there again I have washing and a huge pile of ironing to do - so maybe not!!

Been on my own today, Dave's fishing in a local competition today - he's a course fisherman so they all go back - there won't be fish for tea tonight - not unless I go to Tesco's and buy some...

...BOY, What An Exciting Life I Lead...

..............................................................................................

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

...how do you know when you've run out of invisible ink...?

ME ;0)

...I'm Fed Up Now!!...

The Hole of Holecum - North Yorkshire

Good Day, all you merry men & women (of course) - I'm pleased to report that Dave's absolutely fine after his 'ordeal' on Thursday & the redressing of the offending big toe yesterday. He's just finished watching Everton v Liverpool on the television and is disgusted with the referee's decisions (I take it that Everton lost
then!!) so he's now gone out for the rest of the afternoon to moan about it to his friend, Ron... at least I haven't got to put up with his bad mood..

For most of the day, I've been trying to get all our photos (on computer) into some sort of order. You know what it's like, you save them here, there and everywhere and then can't find what you REALLY need!! - I had such great hopes of getting them ALL sorted and arranged into folders by now... but now I'm fed up - cropping and saving - so I've decided to leave the rest for another day.. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS

...that won't be anytime soon then...

ME ;0)

...Ouch! That Had To Hurt...

UZ - Punk Fancy Dress - New Year's Eve 1980 Dave had a small procedure yesterday to remove an in-growing toenail from his left big toe. He has a bit of a 'thing' about needles and injections - so I went in with him as he had it done under a local anesthetic - he started to get pretty hot and sweaty and couldn't watch (but he was OK) while I was really interested in what she was doing and was straining to see it all - it's strange how I can watch this sort of thing

when it's not happening to me of course!!

ME;0)

...Why Try To Be Nice...?

Steve (25) on Queensland, OZ trip - July '07

I've had to call the washing machine repairman in today - the washer/drier was decided to pack up - TYPICAL - we've said that we're leaving it when we move and now it's playing up!! Luckily, we've known John Pearson for many years so hopefully it won't be too expensive - at least we know that he won't 'rip us off' but it's still a pain in the bum to have to pay anything and then to leave it for someone else to have the use of.
Still, we've learnt a good lesson - don't say you're going to leave anything behind when you move - see you think you're being nice and doing someone a favour and guess what

...'It comes back and hits you in the face (or at least your wallet!)'...

ME ;0)

...Let's Be Lazy Today...

UZ - 18 Nov 2006

I had a late start to the day today - didn't leave the pit until after 10am - boy, it's great to be so lazy!! Dave left home just after 8am this morning as he's gone fishing for the day & he'll be back around teatime, I suspect. As we work and live together 24/7, I must admit that it's nice, probably for both of us, to have some time apart from each other. We met at work, in 1975 at Southern Rentals (TV rentals) when I was the receptionist and he was an engineer. We didn't hit it off on our first meeting as I remember but obviously got use to each other, started dating in 1977 and have been together ever since.

...sweet, isn't it?

ME ;0)

...Can We Do It Later...?

Stonehenge - 4 Feb '06 (boy, was it cold!!)

Dave's been to his Back Class at the hospital again this morning, he's been going on a Tuesday for the past couple of weeks and physio for several weeks before that. He has a prolapsed disc which has steadily been getting worse for years, probably around twenty!! The doctor finally managed to investigated the problem properly earlier this year and arranged for a MRI body scan - he said it was pretty weird being inside it like a cocoon and not being able to move a muscle for about 20 mins - this was hard work for Dave as he can't sit still - he's one of those people that 'has to be busy'

his motto is 'If it needs doing, let's do it now' while mine is 'why do it today, if we can do it tomorrow?'

ME;0)

...Is That Weird...?

Tom & Danielle (both 23)Spent yesterday in London at Tom & Danielle's - Dave sorted out the electrics in the new flat that they've recently bought - Tom (23) is very new to this DIY lark - not like Dave who is a VERY experienced DIYer - it's been quite an eye-opener for Tom I think, he's already moaning about how long everything takes. It was so weird watching him putting up shelves and curtain rails - boy it makes me feel old - where did the last 20 years go?? The strangest thing is hearing Tom & Danielle talking to each other - lots of babes and love - I can't stand it myself - when Dave calls me babe or darling - I just want to punch him in the face....
...Is That Weird...???

ME ;0)

Sport - What's The Point??

Steve at England v Australia (cricket) 2006

Another very dull start to this Saturday morning, there's no wind though so not too bad, but there's a definite chill in the air - haven't had to succumb to putting the heating on yet. Dave's still in bed (9.20 am) I've done my wifely duty and taken him in a cup of coffee - I expect that it's now stone-cold on the side, as usual - he's useless, I know but you have to love him - don't you?
We've not going out today - apparently England (football & rugby) are on the box today so Dave'll be hogging the TV for the best part of the day - I can't abide sport - ANY sport - I've never been interested - I loathed it at school and haven't changed my opinion since. Our eldest, Steve (25) loves sport especially football (beloved Everton), cricket & rugby and gets so upset with me because I don't take an interest in any of it - needless, to say it annoys the hell out of him - I've told him (many times)...

'...What's The Point - It's Only A Game...'

ME ;0)

...this would be funny if it wasn’t happening to me...

this is just how i feel today
Well, the weather has started dark and grey - very much like my mood - I was so optimistic yesterday about the house move, but this morning it's all turning to this dread feeling in the pit of my stomach! I've just got off the phone with Ken (solicitor) about the contracts that we received yesterday and the 'pending' date and he's told me that there's a hiccup at the bottom of the chain - AGAIN!! - I can't believe that we're going to get MORE problems - we've already had a chain collapse because the first time buyer couldn't raise his mortgage and now we're in a completely new house chain and there appears to be problems at the bottom of the chain - OMG surely NOT AGAIN!!

...surely there's got to be an easier way to sell property - answers on a postcard please...

ME;0)

see-through frog - moving home

see-through frog (bred in Japan)

While I've been sitting here at the keyboard this morning, I've been watching the blue tits fighting over the fat balls with the sparrows in the garden - my goodness, they are feisty little things, aren't they? They rarely feed on the nuts and other tit-bits that are there but I replace the fat balls every few days and back they keep coming.
Anyway, enough of that - good news on the moving front - yep! we're still waiting - heard from Ken (solicitor) yesterday afternoon and we've got an appointment today to see him and sign contracts...surely this MUST mean that we'll get a date soon

...PLEASE make it soon, very very soon...

ME ;0)

...it's ok, just leave me a minute - I'll be fine...

should be in black, of course!

Got up early this morning around 8.30am (this is early for me) - I'm lucky enough not to have to go to work. Dave got up at 7am (mega early for him) because the car had to be at the garage at opening for the dreaded MOT - he's just text to say - no problems, so that's great news, it'll keep us going for another year. We have a boring Toyota Corolla - steady, patient and soooo reliable - don't get me wrong it's great to know that it'll always start without a hitch and it gets us to where we're going at a steady pace - but sometimes, just sometimes I long for a sporty flirtatious little number all dressed in black with shiny 'over the top' wheels and scummy leather seats that just take your breathe away

...it's ok, just leave me a minute - I'll be fine...

ME ;0)

Alzheimers - What An Illness!

Went and saw my dad yesterday, he has Alzheimers and is in a home - he's very happy and still knows us when we go but thinks he's still living at the flat, where he lived for 6 years while the Alzheimer's was 'getting a hold'.
While we were there we attended a meeting for all the resident's family and were given the bombshell that the home is to close for at least a year for complete refurbishment! I had an idea that this was going to happen but still it's a stomach churning shock to have it confirmed, especially as dad's only been there since May this year (5 months) and he's settled in so well - now we have to go through the whole sorry affair of looking at other homes and trying to find one that not only caters for his immediate needs, but also taking into account the sort of care that he'll need in the future as dad gets worse - and then when we find it - hoping that they have a bed....

...the only consolation is that once dad's there he'll forget about the upheaval and won't even remember that he's been moved...

ME ;0)

Family Wii, Anyone?

the colours of nature are amazing!

We went to my brother's place last night for a family Wii party - great fun! Tony (brother) was a good host keeping the alcohol flowing (which certainly helped when trying to play tennis, ten-pin bowling etc) & the food topped up - my nieces, Shona (12), Jemma (10) & Krystal (7) were also there - Krystal was so good at the tennis and Jemma really got into her stride with the boxing - she was fighting her dad though so perhaps she had a hidden agenda...My ten-pin bowling skills were just as bad as when I've played for real - so that wasn't good - tried to cheat the machine but those little Japanese men in the box couldn't be fooled...

ME :0)

Is It Really That Early??

WOW, an ice coach - Can I be Cinderella??

I got up really early this morning - well really early for me - around 7.30am, it's normally nearer 9am sometimes even later when I finally leave the pit. Dave & I are terrible at getting up in the morning, it's just as well we don't have to 'go out to work' or we'd be fired!! See, there are some advantages from working from home - we refurbish property and have been since 2001 - something we've always wanted to do but waited until the boys left ~ so as soon as Tom went to London (Steve had already gone to Leeds Uni.) we put the family home on the market and moved into our first 'reno project' & have been doing it ever since - you can read all about our progress on our website

http://www.bootblack.co.uk/

This morning however, as it's another bright & sunny day, we've decided to go to a local boot fair - I just love them (& charity shops) because you never know what you'll find

...not that I've found anything really expensive or rare yet - but who knows - it could be today...

ME ;0)

...Blue Sky & White Fluffy Clouds...

I saw this and it just made me laugh out aloud!

It's a gloriously sunny afternoon today - lots of blue sky and white fluffy clouds - lovely and warm too.
I spoke to Ken (our solicitor) yesterday, to see when we might actually move & he said - I quote 'we're almost there' - needless to say it can't come soon enough for Dave & I as we've been 'under offer' since Easter and it's just been one delay after another. So fingers very firmly crossed, we are hoping for exchange/completion dates VERY soon and then it's off to East Kirkby in the Lincolnshire Wolds - boy, I just can't wait... as not only are we moving completely out of the area we are also starting a holiday letting business so it's very exciting

We have a website http://www.bootblack.co.uk/ if you've got time - take a look

ME ;0)

I'm Back & To Prove It, I'm Here!

...Hello and Welcome...

I'm SoO pleased to be back - I've been without the old computer for 10 days - it's been having 'major surgery' and this is the first morning that I've been back on-line - it's like I lost a limb or something - isn't that just too sad for words - I know I need to get out more.... I've been rattling around indoors trying to keep myself occupied and just couldn't be bothered - I kept thinking of things that I needed to 'look up' and then remembered that the computer wasn't here and the desk that it sits on was just an empty void... I wandered from room to room and annoyed Dave to bits...boredom, can do funny things to the brain - believe me, I know...

Speak Again Tomorrow

ME ;0)