Wherever I Hang My Hat.....

The Night South Africa won the World Cup Rugby

   

Autumn Update

Where has the summer gone ? What summer ? You may well ask !! It has been wet and cool, and not much fun. We have had good days here and there...have been out and about a lot....but it's now autumn (fall Roz) and it'll be winter before we know it. So a catch up.

I'm trying to find all the birthday photos to share with you, and will post them as soon as I do (we've done a lot of birthday eating lately !) In the meantime, these are all just random photos.

June brought Shell's birthday - a spring chicken.

Mum arrived at the end of June (or maybe the beginning of July - can't remember). She is well and has put weight on !!! Now I'm trying to stop her eating...I think I'll have to gag her.

July - Sean and Jo had a birthday - and we had cake. Delicious.

 

Tim was in the end of year musical at school (Bugsy Malone). It was his last year at Junior School. Here he is singing a solo - he was so good !! He started High School a couple of weeks ago and loves it.

And we had floods in July - this is a photo of Tim and his friend, in the floodwater, just a few doors from us. We didn't have any damage thank goodness.

In August Mum & Baz had a birthday - and we had cake again (no wonder I need to lose quite a few pounds !)

The kids are all fine. Jason & Tim had a good summer. Lots of skateboarding...lots of friends around...busy, busy, busy. Jason's leg is fully healed...but he is not up to his normal skateboarding yet. It won't take long though.

Meg & Erin are also fine. Meg is really growing up. She is more like a 6/7 year old than a 3 year old. Her vocabulary is amazing. Erin is the cutest, sweetest baby ever...and so good. She is 3 1/2 months old, and had her 2 bottom teeth before 3 months. So advanced. She has the sweetest nature.

Fi & Ben are great..always busy at work poor things. It's not easy is it ?

Sean & Michelle are also great....and Shell is really enjoying this time at home with the kids. I'm sure she's not looking forward to going back to work in the new year.

Yes...Terry & Jo are married !!!! The wedding was beautiful, and we all had a really good time. I'll put up an album of the wedding photos later today (on the left).

It feels great that all 3 are married and happy, and one day when they all grow up and leave home, I'll be a very satisfied Mummy !!!!! Joking !

Bas & I are fine. I've had a good summer....gardening...mucking about !! We took Mum up to Preston in August, and fetched her the week before the wedding. We all went out for dinner to celebrate James' 80th birthday. So old..poor thing !!! Actually, he's really doing well.

While we were there, we saw an advert for a puppy, and we couldn't help ourselves. So...here's Jack ! He's a Jack Russel, and has settled down really well. He is already house-trained. It only took a couple of weeks. One happy puppy.

So...that's it - our summer in a few short paragraphs. Yes...time really does fly.

Changes !

I made changes to the style of the blog. I don't know if I like it so I may change it again. I'm always moving furniture around !

It's Spring !!

Time for an update - although there is not much to update on. Everyone is fine !! Let's start at the top.

Fi, Ben & the boys are fine. It's Easter break, so there is a 2 week school holiday starting today. Fiona has a week's leave as well. Tomorrow we are going to go out somewhere and take the kids.

We are patiently awaiting the baby's birth - not long to go now. Michelle looks like she's had enough, but she's still at work, and there's still 8 weeks to go !  Not much fun. Sean & Meg are fine. It's Meg's birthday next week - 3 years old !! They are waiting for news of when they can move into their house. It should be in the next 2 months.

Terry & Jo are fine (although I haven't seen them for over 2 weeks).  I should think they are both busy - they usually are hard at work.

Baz & I are fine - not much to report ! I have been gardening (on my little hankie patch). I want it to be full of flowers this summer. Meg helped me digging ! There was more soil on her feet than anywhere else. And she had a huge collection of worms by the time we stopped for lunch. The garden is full of them ! Great big juicy fishing worms.  I'll take some progress pics of the garden as I go.

That's it then - update done. Aren't we boring ? Nothing dramatic ever happens around here, thank goodness.

Paddy's Day !!

Ooooops !!!!

Haven't updated here in while !!!!!

All is well. Life goes on..and on. Nothing unusual ever happens - for that I should be thankful !! Ha Ha. January flew by, and Feb is going the same way.

Mum & Jungle Jim left for Zim, and he is back already...safe & sound but knackered from the journey. I spke to him briefly this morning and I'll phone him tomorrow and get all the details. He said he had a great time.

 

We had REAL snow last week - it lasted for 2 days. The kids had a ball. I've uploaded photos on the left. And it was Tims birthday - we had a birthday tea. He's 11 now !!!  How did that happen ??

Terry and Jo have moved into their new house. It's lovely, and I'm busy uploading the photos so you'll see them on the left too !!

Other than that, everyone is fine. We survived another winter in England. How clever are we ?

Snow !!

It snowed last night. Great excitement all round. Okay - to you Canadians this may not be snow - but it was enough for Tim & Meg to have some great fun before school this morning.

We may get some more tonight, according to the weather report, but it doesn't look like it at the moment.

We are expecting Nat over tomorrow - to say goodbye to Granny and give her a few things to take home. I'll have to think of something more exciting than jam butties for lunch !

I haven't painted the last 2 weeks - been working on the business accounts - should be finished soon and then back to the paintbrush. But I have been knitting - a teddy and a cat, and I'm doing a dog for Tim and Jas too (their idea !!)

Hey good lookin' !!!

Beautiful !!!! I'm going to paint this.

Update !!

I have been quite slack with this blog lately ! Time to get myself in gear. So here's all the latest news.

Shell went for a scan today. It was her final scan to check that everything is okay, and to get to know the sex of the baby. Well...everything is fine, and the pregnancy is progressing normally - BUT - the baby had it's legs tightly together, and they couldn't tell the sex !!! Any guesses it's a girl ! Disappointing - but what great excitement when it's born. This is how it used to be when I had babies. We never knew what sex they would be, so we bought everything in white, pale green, or pale yellow. So we could be rushing around madly after the birth buying blue things, or using the pink things that they've got already. Whatever happens - we can't wait just to love and hold this precious babe. I read this quote about the unborn child, and I think it's so beautiful.

YOU ARE
God's Special Masterpiece......
Loved by Jesus.......
Watched over by Angels.......
And kept in the Heavenly Father's daily care.

Terry & Jo are busy with the wedding plans - very exciting.  They'll tell us all about it, I'm sure, when they come next Sunday.

Mum & Uncle Jim are off to Zim on Saturday 27th January. The Intergalactic Duo ride again !!! Go Batman...go Robin (or maybe the Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto ?) I'm sure Uncle Jim will have a great holiday. He comes back on the 17th February. I will really miss Mum. She is still not better - breathing badly, always out of breath. We're waiting for the Xray results and then we'll see the Doctor again. Maybe he'll change her medication.

I've heard from Basil, and he is fine - enjoying Zim. He says it's very hot, and he's not used to it.

The kids are all fine. I think Tim & Jas are sleeping here tomorrow night. Meg is great. I'll take some photos.

OH....you will notice that in my first week of eating normally (instead of pigging out on anything and everything), I lost 2.3kgs !! Now - let's see if I can put it back on again this week, shall we ? Weigh Day is Monday. I'll let you know.

Another OH...we received the most beautiful photo of Katy from Roz. She looks stunning. Roz - can I show it here ??? Let me know and I'll scan it. 

Weight Loss

You will notice above...a Weight Loss Countdown. Yes... I am trying to shift the extra lumps of lard that I'm carrying. I am at my highest weight ever - pig, pig, pig !!! So, I thought if I publicly showed the weight loss, it might encourage me to lose. But maybe not - maybe I'll just ignore it ! No - really - I'm GOING to lose the weight !

I got the ticker wrong for the baby's birth - it's due at the end of May. I knew that - and I still got the thingy wrong !! Old age !! So - if it says the end of April, ignore it. I'll change it as soon as I can.

Happy New Year

A very Happy New Year to all. I'm late updating, I know, but hope to get back into it regularly.

We had a great Xmas, everyone ate too much and had too much fun !!!  New Year was quiet, but we enjoyed the rest. So - it's back to normal. Basil is in Zim on business at the moment - he left on Wednesday 3rd Jan - and he'll be back on the 23rd. Mum is fine - not up to full strangth yet, and still coughing like mad. I took her for an Xray - and we are waiting for the results to get back to the Doctor. I am going to ask him to give her another round of antibiotics. That should shift it. She is making plans to go back to Zim, and Uncle Jim will be going with her for a couple of weeks - great fun !! They should be going at the end of the month. I'll let everyone know when the tickets are booked.

I'm busy uploading the Christmas photos. If you don't see the album on the left, you will soon !

So that's Xmas and new Year over with - the next big event is Tim's birthday !!!

Almost Christmas !

We are finished - exhausted is the word. Prezzies all wrapped - food ready to cook, decorations up and Father Christmas is on his way ! I'll be glad when it's all over.

Change of Colour

I changed the blog theme today to more of a wintry feel. I hope it doesn't muck up the photos !! If it does I'll change back. And I'm just going to put a photo in here to test what they look like  as pop-ups. Tested that and didn't like it, so I'm adding photos as normal. I'm not too sure about this theme !!

Nearly Christmas

It's Friday night again !! What a week. The weather has turned wet and cold. Brrrr. But still milder than average. On to the news.

Mum is up and about - still slow, but she is getting there at last. It's been a bad couple of weeks for her. I hope we don't have a repeat of it !!

The kids are all fine. I haven't seen Fi all week, but Ben & the kids have popped in. Tim is here every day. They are all doing fine.

Sean & Shell are OK. Sean is back on full duty. He was on light duty for a couple of weeks after his plaster cast was removed - but it back up to full speed now. He did 2 night duties - ending last night. Now he has 4 days off. But he's working tonight. The town, Wantage, has a Dickensian evening every year at this time. All the shops stay open till after 9pm, shopkeepers and townsfolk dress in Victorian clothing, and there is all sorts going on in the town centre. The Fire Dept will be there is full force, so Sean is on duty for a couple of hours.

I spoke to Terry this evening, and they will be here on Sunday. I'll get all their news then and pass it on.

It's Jason's birthday tomorrow, and mine (and brother Terry's) on Sunday so we'll be having a birthday tea. I should get some photos then, and I'll put them up for everyone to see.

What have I been up to ? Well...cleaning, cooking, looking after kids, etc. etc. Nothing much. And painting.

Friday Night and All's Well !

Where has this week gone ?

Let's get the reports on the illnesses out of the way first ! Mum is about the same - weak and slow - but as she says "I'm bloody breathing aren't I !". Well...yes..she is...barely. But she's geting there. Slow and sure - that's her. Like a tortoise.  Meg is much better - still coughing, but bright and cheery. She didn't go to Nursery school at all this week - just spent her days with us. I think it did her good not to be out and about.

Roz - glad you're knee is improving. What is it about this family and knees ???

Everyone else is fine. Shell went for another scan this week. Look at that beautiful baby ! It is 8cm from head to bottom - between the 2 x's on the image. It's lying on it's tummy.

I haven't seen much of Jason this week - but Tim is here regularly. He's sleeping here tonight. He's at the school fete at the moment - he'll be back just after 8pm.

The weather is turning nasty. It's very wet and windy at the moment, and we're supposed to have gale force winds tonight. Brrr.

I've been painting - what else is new.

Back some time over the weekend.

Tempus Fugit - and all that !!

Time really does march on !!

Mum is improving very slowly. The chest infection is clearing at last, but she is totally knackered - moving very slowly, and very breathless. The Doctor did say that it could take up to a month to get back on her feet. Looks like he was right. But...as long as she is improving, that's OK. She had me worried for a while there.

Meg is sick too !!! I took her to the Doctor yesterday, and she has infections in both ears, and throat - and she is coughing like crazy. Not a happy bunny. But she has been given antibiotics, so I'm sure she'll start feeling better in a day or two.

Everyone else is fine. Terry & Jo came on Sunday - and their big news is that they are buying a house !!!! Wonderful. Jo had a photo of it on her camera, and it looks lovely. Terry - email me that photo so I can put it on here.

The girls, Fi, Shell and Jo, had professional photos done in a few months ago, and they finally got the photos, and a CD with them on, so I'll put them in below here. Beautiful girls !!!!!!!! Don't they look stunning ??

 

Update on Mum

Just wanted to let you know that she is improving slowly. The antibiotics seem to have taken hold at last. She got up and sat in a chair for an hour today - but is still very tired and coughing up pianos. I'm sure she'll be better with each day now that the medicine is working. I don't think she'll be over this in a hurry - even the Doctor said it could take up to a month before she feels back to normal. But that's OK - we're not in a rush. She has to take it easy and rest !!!

Other than that - nothing happening !!! It's rained for 2 days - and more rain expected tomorrow. Well....it is England, it's supposed to be wet !

Kids are all fine, we are fine....not much else to say. So, moving right along....back when I have some news.

Thanks for the phone-call Roz !!

Quick Post

Just a quick one tonight. I am really tired.

Mum is still not well. I had the doctor out again. The chest infection is no worse, but I wanted him to check her out. He says we need to give it a bit longer for the antibiotics to do their job. So, she's lying in bed, sleeping most of the time. She sends her love to all.

Everyone else is fine, and I'll add more when I have more time. I'm off to bed in a minute. Can't keep my eyes open.

I did another couple of paintings - one a day - that's my quest !!!!!!

Weekend Over

We had a quiet weekend. Mum is still in bed - but the antibiotics are starting to work, thank goodness. She's feeling a bit better today and might be up tomorrow.  I was ready to call the doctor again yesterday - but we gave the antibiotics another day.

Everyone else is fine. Sean was working this weekend. His plaster cast is off, and he's back on light duty.  Shell went for her scan yesterday, and they said she is 12 weeks pregnant (we thought she was about 10/11 weeks), so I'll be changing the little calendar thingy at the top of the page. Below is the first picture of our new grandchild - how exciting !! He/she is 5cms long.

Tim played football today - and they lost. Great disappointment for him. I'm sure he played his best though. Jason was here bright and early today - he was on his paper round. So he had some breakfast and then carried on. This house makes a good pit-stop !!!

I did a couple of little paintings yesterday. This is one of them.

 

Back when I have more news.

A Beautiful Train

Its getting cold !!! It's supposed to get below freezing tomorrow. Roz - I bet it's a lot colder in Toronto right now.

We had a quiet day. Basil was out this afternoon. Mum & I just sat around. Sh'e not feeling too good again, and has gone to bed early. If she keeps this up, I'll be phoning the Doctor tomorrow for antibiotics.

I saw Tim for 10 minutes then he dashed out to play. Dashed back in at 5, picked up his satchel, and flew off home !! Speedy Gonzalez.

Meg is here at moment, and has just had fish & chips with us. Sean and Shell have gone to a meeting at the Nursery school. They'll be here to pick her up in half an hour. I had to show everyone that she made a beautiful train - so here you are.

A Wedding Announcement.

Can't believe Wednesday is over and I haven't updated here !!!

Sunday was great day. All the kids were here. And yes kids, I DO put almost every photo I take on the Internet.

Terry & Jo are back from their holiday, and had a wonderful time. I'll upload their photos into an album later tonight. And they announced that they have set a date for the wedding !!!! Woohoo !!!

The date is 1st September 2007.

Can't wait. That calls for another counter at the top of this site. I'll add one in a minute. I can't remember the name of the venue - so Terry if you read this - tell me the name in the comments.

Tim was sick on Monday - he had a bad Sunday night - vomiting. So he spent the day on the settee here, and felt much better when he left.

Sean had his plaster removed yesterday - so we had Meg for the afternoon. His hand is very stiff. He went to Gym for the first time in a while today, so I'm sure he'll get his hand back to normal in no time.

Other than that - everyone is fine. Tim & Jas have been around. It's getting colder, but not too bad yet. But it's pitch dark by 5pm - can't stand it ! I've been painting every day - here are a couple of the latest.

And what a sunset we had on Sunday night. The sky was on fire !!!

Back with more news tomorrow - if I can find any.

Saturday

We had a lovely day today. Mum & I picked Fiona up this morning and we went shopping - nothing fancy, just groceries at the Co-op !! But the weather was beautiful. Bright sunshine - crisp air, and not very cold at all. Lovely. Mum is feeling much better, and the temptation to shop was too much for her !!!! She had to come along ! We also had a good root in the charity shop, and found a few interesting things. I've been looking for little things to paint because I've started to sell paintings online at ebay. So I picked up a few little bits and pieces.  The one below is a little ginger jar, and the painting in progress is below that. The painting's not finished, still very wet. I'll get it finished tomorrow.

Fi & Ben came for the afternoon - Ben was watching the rugby. Then they stayed for supper - pizza and Mum's famous pea soup. Delicious. We've just watched X-factor - love that programme, and I'm off to bed soon. Exciting stuff eh ? I said I was going to find something exciting to write about !

Fireworks !!

Fireworks are loud. Believe me - they are loud. Especially when they keep you awake half the night. Oh yes...they are loud. (Am I getting old or what ??)

Roz - so glad you are reading this. It was really great to see your comments. Thanks kiddo. I was beginning to think I was creating this for myself alone. Hello...anybody out there. You can comment if you want ! Kev - if you ever visit here, please let me know. I listened to your CD today blues man. You are goooood !!!

It's cold, and getting colder. We had a touch of frost this morning. I suppose it's about time - it's been so mild. The kids had a great time last night, and went home happy with a huge bag of sweets each. Rotten teeth coming up.

Mum is in bed with flu. She is coughing and sneezing - it doesn't sound like it's in her chest thank goodness. She got up for supper, and looks a lot better tonight.  Sean and Meg came at lunch time - he wanted to watch the cricket. So she had her nap here, and they went home just before 5. He'll be back tomorrow when South Africa are playing. Tim & Jason both came after school. Tim disappeared to go and play with a friend, and I haven't seen him since. He must be home - it's 7.45pm - and I haven't had any phone calls looking for him. Jason arrived at half 4, had a bite to eat and went home.  We are going to watch TV for a while and then bed. Tired tonight.

A Weekend in Preston

We had a lovely weekend. We went to Preston on Friday afternoon to fetch Mum. They got back from Canada on Wednesday - they had a wonderful time !! So...we had a quiet weekend with James. We didn't do much at all - never do when we are there. It's a time to relax !! We got back home today, and the kids came round this afternoon after Tim's football match. Guess what - he got Man of the Match - again !!! Is he a great kid or what ???

Everyone is fine here. The kids go back to school tomorrow after a week's break. I think they are as glad as the parents ! Jason is working very hard at his paper round - so he'll be up bright and early. We put the clocks back last night - not nice. It's going to be dark by 5.00pm - ugh !

I took this photo of Meg on Friday - holding her portrait. Too cute !!

After Church this afternoon, Nat Mienie & Karen came to visit. It was really great to see them. Thanks for coming you two !!

Cold & Wet

It's rained on and off all day. Painted this last night. 12 x 12inches in oils.

 

New Design

I just changed the design of the blog - time for a change.

We had a lovely weekend. Lazy - which is good. The kids all came for lunch yesterday - very nice. Sean & Shell were taking Meg to the circus late yesterday afternoon. I haven't heard how it went, but I'll hear tomorrow. I told them to take photos ! Shell has a midwife check up tomorrow, so I'll have more news on "our" pregnancy !

The weather has changed - I spoke too soon. It has been really wet all weekend, and the temperatures are dropping.  But the lawn is still growing, and the trees still have all their leaves.

Mum & James should be back on British soil this week. We'll go up to Preston at the weekend to fetch her. It'll be good to get back to normal. It won't be long before we're planning the Christmas dinner !!!

A Happy Day !

Friday Again !!!

Where do the weeks go ????

Nothing much to report tonight. I've finished Meg's portrait, just waiting for it to dry. I bought a great frame for it. I'll show you when its framed. I cleaned the house from top to bottom today - hurry up and come home Mother !!!! I'm exhausted. I never saw Meg today. The problem with Sean being at home means I don't get to see her every day. Mind you, I'm sure Sean's bored to death.

We had rain all last night, and parts of Oxfordshire were flooded again. One village had 20 houses flooded. Some of them were flooded only 2 weeks ago. They'd just got cleaned up and down came the rain again. What a shame.

Timmy has just left. He went to Youth Club at the church across the road, and Ben has just picked him up (9pm). Basil is watching Rugby, and I am browsing the Internet and painting at the same time. I started a Still-Life last night, and I'm just finishing it up. Here's the photo I took last night. It looks much better at the moment, but the light is no good for a photo.

That's it for tonight. G'night !!!!

A Cold Tuesday

Just waking up !

The weather has changed, and it felt quite cold this morning. After the beautiful weather we've had lately, it was quite a shock. So - the jackets came out !

I met Sean in town this morning, we fetched Meg from Nursery school and went for a sausage roll at the Bakers Oven. Lovely. Then we had a while looking at the Charity shops. I found a great frame which will fit Meg's portrait perfectly. It has a nice painting in it already, so it seems a shame to dismantle it. I'll think about it. I've got time. Meg's portrait won't be finished for a while and then it'll need time to dry. I worked on it again this afternoon. I'll try and get a photo in daylight tomorrow. We are going to Oxford tomorrow, on the bus, to meet Shell for lunch. Tim came home, had a flying bite and ran out to play ! He won't be playing out for this long when the clocks go back at the end of the month !

Basil went to the consultant this morning about his knee. The cruciate ligament has gone, and there is also cartilage damage. He has to see the physiotherapist to get a brace fitted, and they are leaving it alone for a while until all the swelling has gone down. Then they'll decide what to do with it. So, he's not very happy. He thought they would give him a decision today. It's not too sore as long as he doesn't twist it.

Uncle Terry - if you're reading this, I'm thinking of you. Love you.

Friday Tomorrow ???

Where does time go ?? We had torrential rain yesterday - unbelievable. Floods all over the place. Oxford was flooded, and many villages around here. Not us luckily. The temps are very mild tough, for this time of year - about 18/19C. It feels quite mild.

Basil's knee is still bad, but better than it was. He went for a scan on it today, and will see the consultant when the results are in. It may be the cruciate ligament, or torn muscles. He's getting around a lot better, but it is still very swollen. He went to London today to one of the film studios. They want him to be a guest on a reality show -  as a panel member who will give comments on the show. They will let him know soon. Exciting !!! Ben took the day off to drive him there, and also drive him to the hospial for the scan.

Everyone else is fine. Sean is still not able to do much. He and meg came on the bus yesterday for lunch. She had her sleep here, and then I took them home later.

The rest are great, except Shell who is suffering from morning sickness - shame. Terry & Jo are on their holiday. I'm sure they are enjoying themselves. I don't expect to hear from them. Hope they are taking loads of photos ! Haven't seen Jason, but Tim is fine. Not very good at timekeeping though. A watch from me is on the Christmas list.

I've been painting - surprise ! The first colour layer on the nun - a very light layer to begin with. The colour will deepen with each layer.

I also started this one of men out of work - Irish workmen. I'm busy with the clothing - then I'll do the hands and faces.

So that's it. Boring !