...My Turn In The Wendy House Now...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

before Dave started on his Wendy House
(sorry - summerhouse)

...almost done...

Outside Temp: 11c

--fairly dull & breezy--

...weather isn't up to much today - even though I do have the washing out blowing in the breeze (first time for weeks!)...

________________

Dave's completed the external refurbishment of the summerhouse & it's looks fabby dabulous. I'm always amazed at the transformation Dave makes of all the things he puts his hand to -- but I really shouldn't be as he's so good at what he does --.

As you can see it was a complete wreck & everyone thought he was mad to spend time & money on it but he said 'No, I'll sort it' & boy has he!

I'm now deciding on the interior items - you know, the important bit :0)

_______________

I can remember when we were looking at buying our first house, that as we walked around I kept saying. 'Can you do this?' & 'Can you really manage that?'

and Dave kept saying 'Yes, what I don't know I'll learn' and of course he did....

Now, when we look around property to refurbish & Dave hesitates and says things like.'I'm not sure, it's not something I've tackled before' I always say. 'Of course you can - it'll be easy'

__________

....it's so easy to say things are easy to do when you've got absolutely no idea how to do it, isn't it....???

___________

ME ;0)

...Stand Back - Dave's Undressing...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

You Can Tell Why I Love Him - Can't You??

Outside Temp: 11c

--sunny & very windy--

...it's a lovely bright start to the day today - glorious sunshine and blue sky with pretty fluffy clouds (I know they have a proper name!) but it's still mighty windy - the birds will have to be very determined to stay on the feeders today...

_____________

Dave's got really - no I mean REALLY - dry skin - it reminds me of cooked chicken skin (you know when it's been left to go cold & is rough and crinkly!) and when he undresses..especially if he has dark clothes on - not that it makes his skin worse, just that you can see it more easily (if you know what I mean??)...anyway, I'm waffling, aren't I? .........getting back to Dave's skin.........

__________

He leaves a trail of skin behind him wherever he undresses - I keep telling him that's why the place is always dusty - it's got absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I don't clean enough :0).

His mum (Doris) also has terribly dry skin - obviously it's a 'family' thing. In the 80's when we were first married I bought dark brown bed sheets (they were all the rage then - come to think about it - aren't they back in fashion?) and every morning when he got up there was a layer of skin left where he'd been laying - YUK! needless to say I've always stuck with white ones since then - I know it's still there but at least I can't see it :0)

_______________

But even with his 'chicken skin', dodgy back & numerous other faults (too many to mention here, of course) - he's still the man for me & I wouldn't swap him for all the tea in China -

(just as well I don't like tea then)

________________

ME ;0)

...Boy, My Calves Hurt...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk




Outside Temp: 5c
--mighty windy--

...the weatherman said last night that it'll be dry & sunny today - guess what? - he got it wrong (again) - it's drizzly, dull & mega windy...

___________

Just got back from my 'power' walk & talk about being blown along :0) - it wasn't too bad walking there but once I'd turned back it blasted against my face & really took my breathe away. If it'll be the other way round I'd probably not have walked so far -

________________________

I haven't walked much over the past few days as we've been in Kent arranging a surprise 80th birthday for Doris (Dave's mum) and it just didn't happen - even though I did 'strut' up the local high street - but that was probably due to stress rather than pleasure :0)

_____________

I'm amazed at how much my calves & thighs are aching - I'm obviously still a long way from being fit - well in the leg department at least

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

the rest of me Is Getting There

_____________________________

ME ;0)

...RATBAGS! Missed Pancake Day...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 11c
--quite sunny & dry--

...weather started off really sunny this morning but as the day has progressed it's got cloudier but has stayed dry...

_____________

--I Told You I Was Too Busy Yesterday--

and to prove it I completely missed Pancake Day

.

.

.

and for some weird reason Dave & I only seem to be able to eat them on that one day a year....StRaNgE, IsN'T It??

________________________

......so here's a little story to make up for the loss......




Brenda and Steve took their six-year-old son to the doctor.
With some hesitation, they explained that although their little angel appeared to be in good health, they were concerned about his rather small penis.
After examining the child, the doctor confidently declared, "Just feed him pancakes. That should solve the problem."
The next morning when the boy arrived at breakfast, there was a large stack of warm pancakes in the middle of the table.
''Gee, Mom,' he exclaimed. 'For me?''
''Just take two,'' Brenda replied.
''The rest are for your father.''




ME ;0)

...Too Busy To Stop...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 12c

--very damp & drizzly--

- I've been SO busy today after being away for a few days so haven't really got time to blog -

...What are you going to do...??

so here's a little thought for you instead

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A lasting marriage consists of the 3 C's;

Commitment

Communication

Compromise

(there's a lot of that, isn't there?)

___________

SpEaK SooN -- ME ;0)

...It Never Rains But It Pours...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 8c

--Foggy & Damp--

It's really miserable here this morning - very foggy - can hardly see across our side garden least of all the field beyond & it's so damp & cold with it

- yukky very yukky -

_______________

Dave & I have a long journey ahead of us today and it hasn't got off to a great start I can tell you. Just as we were starting to pack the car Dave noticed that the rear tyre was flat - RATBAGS - it probably happened yesterday when he took the old bathroom suite to the tip - GREAT.

So he's moaned like a drain while changing it and got filthy in the process of course and now it's going to put us behind time as he's got to go the garage (6 miles away!) to have it repaired or replaced before we leave.

And to add to that because of the squatting down and having to lean forward while changing the wheel it's irrated his back and now he's suffering with shooting pains in his lower back (where the prolapse disc trouble is!) as well - looks as if I might have to drive now -- I tell you --

_________

...It Never Rains But It Pours...

..........

and actually it's just started pouring with heavy rain now...

so not only will I be driving - great - I'll be driving in heavy rain

ME ;0(

...Is There No End To My Man's Talents...?

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 9c (feels much colder)

--dull & drizzly--

...it's very Mr Murky this morning - I thought it had rained during the night - must have been dreaming as it was dry when I got up but it is damp & drizzly now...

___________

As you know Dave's been busy making wooden jewellery & gifts and we've been looking at ways to sell it. I've already set up a website

- www.the-craftshed.co.uk -

and we've sold a few bits on good old eBay.

__________

He received an invitation to display his goods (so to speak!) at the committee meeting of the Alford Crafts - it's quite big here - and we went yesterday evening. They all seemed to like what he had taken and were very welcoming - now he has to wait to see if the committee liked the items enough to invite him to show them at their Craft Fayre's.... so fingers crossed...

______________

In the meantime he's playing in his Wendy House (sorry I mean summerhouse) today - it's being refurbished and as norm Dave's making a fantastic job of it. It now has a new roof (I helped with that bit!) - handmade window frames & windows complete with glass of course, new front door, again re-sized and glazed. The next job is to re-paint it

___________

...I Ask You - Is There No End To My Man's Talents...?

ME ;0)

...Thirty Valentine Years Of Togetherness...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 9c

--grey sky & mighty windy--

...wet soft stuff has completely gone (again!) and it's been dry today but OMG it's so windy and cold - brrrh very brrrh...

_________________

As it was Valentine's Day on Saturday Dave & I spent a lovely 'together' day - aah - we started at Edlington (tiny village about 10 miles north of us) as they were having a Valentines snowdrop trail & crafts in the church. The village was lovely - just a single lane running through it - the only problem was because it's in the wolds (hilly & higher than our village) there was still loads of snowing laying....so the snowdrops REALLY were snowy - and mostly covered with the fluffy white stuff :0(

But it was still a nice walk through (especially with the one you love!!) & even though it was really cold, at least it wasn't raining or snowing. We bought a couple of 'must have' crafts from the church - BOY! it was cold in there -

___________

From there we went into Woodhall Spa for lunch - a bit disappointing - but that's another story for another day - and then we went to the Kinema in the Woods to see Kate Winslet in The Reader. We had no idea what it was about & to be fair if I had I'd probably not have gone - the first half was much too slow for me (love scenes kept me interested!) & there was a twist in the story line - I won't give it away in case you want to see it :0)

___________

When we came out from seeing the film we made our way to the fish & chip shop and missed it by five minutes - ratbags - so ended up coming back and Dave (my Valentine of thirty years - yep thirty glorious years) made a large bowlful of cheesy chips that we shared

...sweet, isn't it...???

___________

ME ;0)

...Sad Story...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 4c

--cold & damp--

...Had a bit of heartache last night...

My cat got in the washing machine and was drowned.

It wasn't nice but at least she went in Comfort.

___________

Love It

ME ;0)

...Lemon Curd -- Yummy...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 2c

--blue-ish sky & dry--

Quite bright this morning but plenty of the white stuff laying around again - I thought we'd seen the last of it - guess the weatherman got it wrong....AGAIN...

__________

Dave & I are going into Spilsby (small market town about 6 miles from us) this afternoon and we'll be going to Simon the Butcher -- www.simonsbutchers.co.uk -- for provisions. He is the best butcher we have ever found - his handmade sausages, homemade pies & lemon curd are too gorgeous for words...I must admit that I've never tasted lemon curd like it... :0)

He's not that cheap to be truthful and I'll probably be spending between £40/£50 - EEK! - but that will keep us going for nearly a fortnight - so if I break the cost down to each meal - it makes it easy to swallow...so to speak...

___________

I like Spilsby it's a small market town with different shops than the norm - even though it is a little rundown & a couple of shops have closed since we've been here and are now looking all forlorn waiting for someone else to take them on, but in this economic climate as it is I don't think it'll be any time soon.

There's a really pretty double fronted shop in a great position up for sale (use to be a bike shop) that we quite like the look of and Dave & I have been toying with the idea of 'taking it on' - problem is - besides financing it of course - what can we sell that everyone simply can't live without?

...It obviously wouldn't be bikes...

ME ;0)

...15kg = 33lbs = 2st 5lbs = 528oz...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 0c

--OH NO! Snowing Again--

...I can't believe it's snowing and laying (again!) - no wonder I just can't get warm...

_____________

I've been to see 'The Stunner' (nurse practitioner) again this morning for my fortnightly weigh-in and OH MY GOD I've only gone and lost ANOTHER 2kg (4.4lbs) - that means that I've now lost a staggering

...15kg = 33lbs = 2st 5lbs = 528oz...

I'm totally amazed (as you can probably tell) by the weight coming off - it's just being SOO easy...so far...

________

- Thank You McPaul (Paul McKenna Food Plan) - I'm so pleased to have found you at last

ME ;0)

...I Hate Alzheimer's...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

HaPPy 82nd BiRtHdAy DaD

Outside Temp: 4c
--cold & drizzly--

-- snow's all gone now & we're left with a very damp drizzle that chills you to the bone --

_____________

My dad is in a care home because he has Alzheimer's and will be 82 years old next week on 21 Feb - not that he'll remember it of course - but the family will be phoning and calling in to see him on the day & while we're all talking to him about it he'll remember birthday's past and where he was and who he was with & who said what to whom

...but he'll not remember that it's his birthday on that day...

...I Hate Alzheimer's...

ME ;0)

...Tomorrow's Here...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 2c

--heavy rain--

...woke up to lashing rain this morning & not a sign of snow anywhere - it's quite amazing how the place can be covered in the fluffy white stuff and then it's completely gone in almost a blink of an eye...

_____________

There's only two very small jobs left to do inside the bungalow - put down carpet grips across the doorways...as you know we have the carpets laid last week but they only ever lay those cheap, nasty metal grips so Dave normally makes his own - I know, I know --he's such a hero -- and to erect the venetian blind in the bathroom...

and believe me this will be the longest job - the one that I have to keep reminding him about - the one that will end up with us 'having words'.

______________

Dave's always the same when it comes to putting up blinds & curtain poles - he's brilliant at pretty much everything he puts his hand to - but he HATES putting them up and always leaves it to the last minute & the bathroom blind is no exception. The bathroom's been completed for at least two weeks and the gorgeous metallic damson coloured venetian blind is still in the box on the spare bed waiting to see the light of day

_______________

The 'hinting' has already started on my behalf and he did say tomorrow and guess what?

...Tomorrow's Here...

ME ;0)

...Puppy Dog Eyes...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 0c

--snowing...again--

The snow returned yesterday evening around 9pm for about an hour or so and is still laying around this morning - luckily there's only about an inch or so this time.

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

I first started thinking about having a dog a few years ago - I'd LOVE to have a doberman - they are so majestic and powerful - don't you think?? But I admit they need a lot of exercise and I know that realistically I'd never have one :0( even though I've already got a name sorted

- Arthur or Agnes -

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

So I've lowered my sights, so to speak, and am now thinking about something like a scottie - it would have to be black of course - not keen on the white ones - but Dave says 'No, they are only shit machines' (he has a way with words, don't you think?) so we're at a stalemate.

He's always argued that he would be the one that ends up looking after it - feeding it - walking it - but I've told him that as I walk everyday I'd take it with me and he had to admit that I would....but he still hasn't changed his mind - spoilsport - but I'll keep looking at him with 'puppy dog eyes' and he'll give in in the end

- you just wait and see -

ME ;0)

...Is It Rice Pudding...?

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: -0c

---Bright & Sunny--

Another bright start to the day - the snow has pretty much melted now - just a bit on the fields behind us and a very stubborn patch is still laying on our patio -

..........

Is there anyone out there that can make the perfect rice pudding??

I've tried and tried and every one is pretty much a failure, they are either burnt to a crisp and all dried out or just too runny.

I've tried numerous recipes - I've weighed the three ingredients meticulously - I've just guessed and bung them in the dish - I've washed the rice and opened the pack and just poured....I've had the oven high and really low and cooked on the hob...yet every time it's been a disaster....

WHAT ARE I DOING WRONG??

The last one I made gave Dave & I just a spoonful of hot sweet stodge & a very burnt top that was suppose to be crisp skin - Yeah Right!!

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

My mum had a saying about cooking

- 'If it's brown it's cooked if it's black it's buggered' -

...mine are never brown... :0(

ME ;0)

...Have You A Smaller Size...?

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 3c

--sunny & dry--

Another pleasant walk spent around Stickney this morning - there's still a lot of snow laying on the fields there - we don't have that much here & it's only a couple of miles from us - still I suppose it has to stop and start somewhere, doesn't it?

---------

I've been buying loads of smaller sized clothes over the last few weeks ...mainly from eBay - so I don't feel as if I've spent too much (not that I've actually added it up!)... because I'm still losing weight with McPaul (Paul McKenna plan) - I'm due for another weigh-in with 'The Stunner' (nurse practitioner) next week.

I'm trying really hard not to weigh myself in-between seeing her but must admit that I find it hard not to jump on the scales all the time. I have also measured most of my body area - you know, boobs, waist, calfs, upper arms etc & since I started following McPaul I've lost a total of 10" all over - WOW! that's a lot - I'm SoO impressed with myself (can you tell?).

-------------

I've had a good sort out of my wardrobe this morning as several skirts & dresses that I bought when I first started are now too big - YIPPEE DO DA - so I'm going to resell them on eBay

----

....I tell you what goes around comes around....

...Nice Dumplings, Darling...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 2c

--cold & damp - NO fresh snow--

It's pretty dull & damp today - there's still quite a bit of snow laying around in the garden & on the fields behind us but there hasn't been any more falling & laying since yesterday afternoon - which is good news but now of course the roads & pavements are very icy & slippy.

~~~~~~~~~

Last night I made a delicious (even if I say so myself) bolognese cobbler - this is minced beef in a bolognese sauce topped with dumplings cooked in the oven which makes them dry & fluffy (in case you're interested!) - anyway I served it up and Dave & I tucked in.

Half way through eating his Dave says quite innocently. 'Nice dumplings, Darling'. He then realised what he'd said burst out laughing and nearly choked on them....

~~~~~

....How Could He Tell?? I didn't even have a low-cut top on....

ME ;0)

...The Treeman v The Electrician ...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside temp: -0

--snowing heavily--

Woke up to another good covering of the fluffy white stuff today - Beattie (cat) raced in this morning leaving her wet paw prints all over the quarry tiled floor in the hallway - much to my annoyance - so I had to chase her around the place to wipe her feet - just as well she doesn't mind having it done, I suppose.

~~~~~~

It's just Dave & I here today - the electrician has finally finished & I must admit that even though it took longer than he said...another 4 days to be exact...he worked non-stop while he was here (be it only between 10am and 2pm) and was a really tidy worker & didn't charge us more than he had estimated so all in all I'm pretty impressed with him -- he was in his 30's I'd say, had recently split up with his wife of seven years & was nice to chat to - he even liked my choice of music...But I have to admit he wasn't a patch on 'The Treeman' - now he really is a sight for sore eyes...

--there must be a couple of jobs I can find for him to do in the spring -- I know I'll start making a list now --

ME ;0)

...11,149 Steps & It's Not Even Teatime...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: 0c

--lovely and sunny--

I'm pleased to report that the carpet man has been this morning (as arranged) and laid the carpets in the dining room and our bedroom and made a great job of it too I might add. Dave has always done this up to now but with his back the way it is it was a definite 'no go' this time, so we decided to bite the bullet and paid for someone to do it for us...

~~~~~~

I've just returned from my 'power walk' - haven't been for two days as the weather has been so bad - and have to admit once again that I thoroughly enjoyed it - walking along a country lane with the sun shining, next to no traffic (only two cars passed me) & skipping and singing to tunes on my iPod is a great way to spend half an hour :0)

AND the pedometer says that I've already walked 11,149 steps today and it's only 4 o'clock -- boy! this is getting just a bit too easy - I'm sure things are going to go downhill soon :0)

~~~~~~

Dave says that's the pessimistic side of me emerging - I must admit the glass is always half empty to me rarely half full

ME ;0)

...More Backache On The Way...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: -1c

--sunny but icy--

The snow has pretty much disappeared today - rain started yesterday evening and continued well into the night - I think...didn't keep us awake though... :0)

When I emerged from bed this morning the place was pretty much cleared but there does seem to be a lot of ice on the lane....I'll have to take care when I go out later for my 'power walk'.

~~~~~~~~~~

Had an email update from Pat (aunt-in-waiting) & caught up with her and Eric (my uncle) news - she always writes an entertaining account of their daily 'doings' -- a saying that my dad always use to say -- he doesn't say it much these days...wonder if that's to do with the Alzheimer's...?? anyway, the mind is wandering a bit....

~~~~~~~~~

The electrician isn't here today as he has an appointment at Nottingham hospital - he also has back trouble so he and Dave have been exchanging symptoms and cures all week...perhaps that's why he's taking so long to get the place rewired...??

Must remember to give Dave a job to do when he returns tomorrow (I'm sure that I'll think of something!!) :0)

~~~~~~~~~

Best Go - Dave & I have to clear our bedroom and the dining room of all the furniture today - new carpets being laid tomorrow

.

.

...More Backache On The Way...

ME ;0)

...Why, Thanks...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: -1c

--still snowing - heavily--

Woke up to more snow this morning - brrrh - and looks as if the wind has picked up as well - so I suspect that it's mighty cold out there - unfortunately I've got to venture into the wilderness this afternoon so I'm hoping for a good thaw before then....somehow I don't think it's going to happen that quick...

~~~~~~~~~

The electrician is STILL here today - he's rewiring the place - when he priced the job he said that it'd take 3/4 days - this is the 7th day - mind you he's hardly rushing -- starts around 10 & goes home at 2 -- alright for some, obviously doesn't have another job to go to yet :0)

~~~~~~~~~

....Just wanted to tell you....

I was wearing my 'Per Una' jeans yesterday & Dave said in passing 'Your thighs look really slim in them'

...BOY! I could have just eaten him up...

...It Looks Cold Out There...

www.the-craftshed.co.uk

Outside Temp: -1c

--snowing AND laying--

It's cold today, admittedly not as cold as Canada (where my brother Daryl lives) as that is a very cold - minus 25 PLUS wind chill - but it's still pretty cold here in Lincolnshire.

I've been gazing out of the window watching the snow fall and blow across the fields that are beside us - it looks mighty cold & bleak & I'm pleased to say that I'm indoors and not out in it....I think that the 'power walk' will to be put on hold for today -- I'm not that keen to improve 'my daily steps' --

The lane outside our place is rapidly covering in the fluffy white stuff and a tractor just passed the window at a snails pace - even slower than usual, I'd say -

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

Dave's being a hero this morning and is still working in the garage (bet it's cold in there) - he's currently making a new side window for the summerhouse...seems a long time before the summer is here to actually use it...

..........

Tom phoned last night to say that Danielle had been discharged from hospital & was now recuperating with her parents for a few days...her dad will look after his 'Princess' I've no doubt :0) So that's really great news - it's been a bit of a tense week for us all...but mainly for her and Tom of course..but the worse is over and now she can take it easy for a couple of weeks and get back to normal.

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

ME ;0)