Time is marching on...

Don't you just hate the way time runs away with you... I have a couple of minor things to do on the painting of the scenery, but on the whole its all finished.  If the snow doesn't cause too much of a problem tomorrow I'll pop down and finish up tomorrow morning.
 

I popped straight to the hospital this morning for my pre op blood tests, then came back to help set up the craft club at the village hall.  just as I was getting ready to finish the last piece of scenery that was requested on Sunday my mum rang and I dashed off to pick her up and bring her to craft club too. 

 

painted on a piece of 4mm ply wood using dulux emulsion paint (6 hours from start to finish)
 

I finished of a cupboard for the Dames cooking scene in the pantomime this morning, the dame is being played by a local vicar/retired doctor ... hope they don't mind the "50 shades of grey" book that I added... tee hee!

My first attempt at an owl ... really quite pleased with it
 

so pleased with the depth

 

The forest scene is finished but I haven't taken a proper photo yet, the days have been so dreary and the lighting in the hall is so dull... On hindsight I think its not really very Panto ... the carpenter who is also involved with another long standing panto group says its not cartoon-y enough... but I can only do what I can do, so I am afraid they'll have to make do with my arty farty painty technique.

The canopy of the trees was sponged on I will hopefully take a picture tomorrow, I've been waiting for a bit of sunshine so that I can take a photo of the completed works, but we've not had any bright days of late.

  

The other scene I had to do was a village street scene... and that means angular (proper) perspective... trees and organic shapes are easy as there is no real right or wrong, but buildings... *gulp*

So with a heavy heart and a touch of self doubt I started sketching a scene...

and I started to add colour and my apprehension peaked and troughed and had me feeling seasick with self doubt...

 

 

 It is finished now and I am quite relieved and pleased... its not perfect, I can see things that are just not quite right ... but its the best I can do and I eventually enjoyed doing it (not as much as the forest though! ;D)
once again it perhaps isn't really very panto... but beggars cant be choosers and as I did it for no charge they'll have to make do .. lol

The stage lights cast a horrid shadow, but apparently that can't be helped.. :(

I hope this publishes okay... blogger is being a real pain this evening, so I do apologise if its all over the place when I eventually hit the publish button... perhaps its the snow! ;D
We had quite a bit of snow last friday, schools were closed and Daniel was not at all dissapointed!

 

 

However I hope the snow out there are the moment doesnt come to much as I really have a lot to get done before friday and my gallbladder operation.

 

Well stay safe, warm and keep smiling

 

I'll pop on the completed photos as soon as I can

 

loves and hugs

Alex

x

Oh yes it is .... Oh no its not!!!!!!

The village panto committee asked me to join them New Year's Eve for a meeting about the scenery they needed for their first ever village panto ... So I chatted and helped the carpenter finish up a few bits on the stage ... Wednesday I popped down the hall and undercoated the boards. Thursday I purchased the paint I'd need to do my stuff ... Thursday afternoon the fun began ... It's Saturday evening and after 2 and a half days I've almost finished the first scene, 2 more to go and the first panto is on the 25th of this month ... No pressure! Lol xx

Somerset Musings ...

I really need to get a grip, my Friday nights use to be full of excitement ... looking forward to an evening out getting dolled up and making an effort ... I've left Mr P in the kitchen watching Idiot Abroad 3 ... I can hear it though so I am not really missing it ... our house is tiny ... I'm sat here wondering if I am possibly the most boring person on the planet?

I have so much to do and I just don't know where to start ... so I haven't started at all ... Its almost like my whole life is on hold waiting for something and I just cant shake it off ...

I received an email from the Surgeons secretary today ... they've now decided that they'll remove my gallbladder before removing the stones from the bile duct ... however they don't think its likely that I'll be in before the new year ... but if I get any discomfort I'm to contact his secretary, or if I have another pancreatic attack I'm to get myself admitted.  We'll with Christmas looming I am being very sensible, careful and restrictive of my diet... I've not had any pain as such since the beginning of October when I was so bad I ended up in hospital and I am still loosing weight which everyone thinks is marvellous.  So I shall shut up and be a patient patient!  I feel awful about getting annoyed about it all ... there are, after all, people out there suffering worse illnesses and symptoms than me ... but I am really quite fed up with it all now.

My head is choka block full with creative thoughts and ideas ... but until I get the lounge and the kitchen de-cluttered I have no space to be creative ... I ordered a canvas, I had an idea to paint something really big ... only problem is its a lot bigger than I thought it would be ... I think I misread inches for mm ... oops!

So I am now the proud owner of a HUGE canvas and nowhere to paint something that big ... I am beyond a doubt the biggest wally ever.  I'm thinking the house in my little fantasy world that I seem to live in must be huge, with a creative room all for me.  All I need is that lottery win, however I think there are a lot of people in need of that kind of financial boost.  Well I suppose at least I have made the first step of actually buying a ticket...

 We like many other places in the UK had an awful lot of rain a couple of weeks ago ... I didn't bother trying to get Daniel to school on a couple of the days that the roads were flooded.  Mr P and I walked to the next village on the Sunday of the floods, it was to the top of our welly boots so I decided that Monday would be a flood day ... Daniel was quite happy to stay home ... It was lovely and sunny on this Sunday morning and the walk to the next village was eerily quiet ... this road is usually very busy day or night ... its the favoured rat run through to the A303 ... unfortunately its also well used by the local farmers, cyclists and horse riders ... accidents abound on this wriggly road ... too many sharp corners and plentiful supply of impatient journeymen ... it was closed again on Thursday when a motor cyclist came a cropper after the puddles froze to black ice.  Luckily he only suffered whiplash type injuries although his bike was a write off.

We do not live at the lower end of the village, Luckily we are on the hill so its would be a disaster indeed should the flood waters ever reach our door but the weather is seriously testing our resolve these days ... I heard murmurings in the school playground from the farmers wives that we are due a month of snow ... so we shall wait and see what the end of 2012 has in store for us.

Stay safe and warm

hugs and loves to you all

Alex x

Hi Hunni...... I'm Home.....

Your reply should be something along the lines of:
Where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick!!!!!
Now for the excuse:
Um ... I lost my way, and I've been stumbling around searching for the way home. I got on the wrong road and couldn't get off till I came across a junction ... I have travelled through some beautiful places having a lovely time and then all hell broke loose and I was run off the road by a speeding camel... gotta watch out for those darn camels ... but here I am ... a little scruffed up by the last *cough cough* months ... however I have survived .... Whats for tea?
Where upon you say:
Well ... so long as you're okay ... I forgive you ... give us a hug!!

 
     Its been a hell of a year, a year of changes some good ... some bad. I have felt lost and then eventually been found, plopped back on my feet and set on my way again. Life has a way of trying your every last strand of sanity ... pushing all your buttons then sitting back on its haunches waiting for you to go BOOM!
I won't lie .. there have been fireworks, tears and laughter when you realise the futility of the wall you are currently trying to stove your head into.
     I am still a mum of two, although there have been moments that I could have gladly strangled my 14 year old daughter ... My little boy calms my world and my nerves, his cuddles and loves are like soothing cream to my soul how I wish he'd be six years old forever.

     Mr P and I are ,on the whole, singing from the same song sheet. Although I think he's worried about me ... I am currently awaiting surgery ... personally I am quietly terrified of the whole ordeal, its only gallbladder removal, but unfortunately I now have stones stuck in the bile duct so the consultants want to go on a little fishing trip down my throat to retrieve the stuck stones. I really don't do being ill, or off my feet while recovering. I'm a mum, partner, pet owner, daughter, taxi driver, housekeeper and cook ... I have no time to sit and recover. However the whole situation is secondary as I still don't have a date for the fishing trip or the op... So I shall stick to the fat/alcohol/dairy free diet (plus side is that I have lost 4 and a half stone in 4 months!) and although I was mightily jarred off on the 12th of this month when they sent me home from my second surgery date after they found the trapped stones ... the dawning realisation of a treat less and alcohol free Christmas really sunk in ... I love Christmas and all its indulgences. I've accepted it now though, the surgery will happen eventually and I might be able to eat wicked food again ... but for the time being ... this is my lot and I have to make the most of it ...

     The week I was in hospital with pancreatitis my dad was in the ward downstairs ... I came home ... unfortunately my dad didn't, He was 85 and I truly believe he's with me more now than ever. I shed plenty of tears privately but I think they were more for myself ... My fear of "did he love me?" "was he proud of me?" etc ... but I decided to just accept that he probably was and considered how much he did for me throughout my 41 years ... and through remembering all the times that he picked me up and dropped me off, paid for my activities and my teenage whims and fancies ... he loved me ... he may not have said it with words but his actions spoke it every time. I think that's why I tell my children that I love them .. as well as hug them to death and spoil them rotten ...

     So ... I am all ready for Christmas, presents bought and wrapped and cards written and sent (well apart from family cards) ... I am ready for whatever life throws at me next ... I'd like it to be kind ... but whatever will be will be ...

     I shall watch the sky and dream of wonders and experiences still to come, and love and appreciate those that love me for who I am. 

Take care
Stay safe
and perhaps tell someone that you love them today ... and above all else ... love who you are ... if you don't love yourself how can you expect anyone else to ... xx

January is nearly gone.....

Goodness me doesn't time fly... Its been a hectic month here... Many changes and fresh starts and battles and butting of heads... oh to be the mother of a 13 going on 14 year old girl.... I know I was a pain in arse when I was that age (in a moody melodramatic way!) I didn't try smoking till I was 15ish and it was very overrated and a complete waste of money... lol

Where to start....


Daniel was Joseph in a church nativity play....

lots of fun was had by me,





building backdrops and painting scenery and making the odd costume and props... had to paint it while it was slung over the kitchen door.... that was a late night of arty creativity... up to 4am painting the 2 backdrops...


Daniel enjoyed bringing his own certain something to the role of Joseph, but it was very well attended, apparently its the first time in a long time that the church pews have been filled... I'm not a church goer so I can't really comment...


Since this production were dabbling with the idea of putting on a village panto... and they were impressed with my painting ... in fact they looked quite surprised that I had done it at all! ;D


Roller blinds work surprisingly well as back drops... just got to keep your wits about you when your changing scenery! lol

I've been persuaded by a couple ladies in the village to start a craft club at the village hall. Its now meeting every other week and attendees bring along whatever craft they fancy and we sit and share ideas, chat about every day news and drink tea and coffee and perhaps eat a little cake! naughty but very nice ... on average we have 18 ladies popping along ...


Ive started selling a little yarn, patterns and associated bits and bobs at the village cafe, I'm not really making any money at it and to be honest that wasn't my plan... its just so difficult to purchase good quality yarn at affordable prices in this area and its more like I'm selling the excess of my own craft with a few extras that I've ordered in on request... its fun though and I'm learning so much through it...


Jamie has gone back to school, she had given up with the home schooling, was becoming impossible to get up in the mornings and with all my relatives and parents on both sides constantly being negative about it we decided that it would be easier all around if she went back to school. I felt very disappointed and a failure for a while, I think we could have accomplished as much if not more if she had been more open minded and less inclined to listening to family, that at the end of the day see her rarely and feel they know her so well... but hey ho... its her decision... She's still not getting up in the mornings and is still driving me insane but perhaps its retribution for all the moods I threw at my mum.

Les is still waiting to hear if he's staying on at his place of work or whether the impending redundancies will mean him leaving too... Unions like the contractors to be off site when these things are being sorted... so he's constantly on edge and searching the web for jobs that might be suitable or within a commutable distance.


Daniel is doing really well at school (yay! good news at last!) he makes me laugh way more than he makes me shout... he is the sunshine in my life most days...

My car finally became so unreliable that I plonked it on eBay as a spares or repair vehicle and it sold for £1300... I was so chuffed... and I have purchased a beast of a car...


I'm not convinced its the best idea I've ever had, however, as I'm now taking 2 other kids from the village to school with Jamie the 7 seats come in very handy.. lol
and it is so very easy to drive and the most comfortable car I have ever driven... hopefully I can afford to run it ... its a bit of a drinker! ;D

Oh and Christmas happened somewhere in amongst all this!

Next is Daniel's Birthday... then Jamie's birthday... both on school days... better get good at making cakes ... lol


I managed it last year! I'm sure I can do it again! ;D

Thats it for now... sorry for the mammoth catch up... I'll be posting weekly from now on...

take care and thanks for popping by
xx Alex


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New Year.... New blogger....

I have been awful at this blogging lark... but as well as wishing you all a wonderful new year I promise to blog again on a regular basis... so much has changed and I hope that this year will be a good one...

I will be back soon and normal service shall resume! xxx

October.... oh how I love thee!

This has to be one of my favourite months... the orange pumpkins and darkening evenings ... leaves turning to warm shades of golden red.... stunning....



Archie is growing into a stunning lad... can't believe how much he's changed in 19 weeks...


He's turning out to be quite the the crower... as I don't let them out till 7:30am he doesn't usually crow till about quarter to eight... so hopefully the neighbours won't get too agitated... however I wouldn't bet my life on it... I'm resigning myself to the fact that he's probably going to have to go... but I don't think I could wring his neck... he's so beautiful and not aggressive (at the moment!) towards me or Daniel... Les and Jamie very rarely visit the that part of the garden...


I regret never getting around ot planting my pumpkin seeds... I would love some growing in my garden now... however I do have plenty of bright orange nasturtiums to cheer myself up... plus some ripening strawberries... Ive seen crocuses shooting and heard about magnolia trees flowering... the seasons seem to be getting a little confused...


this is one of the 19 week old chicks... their not laying yet... not really expecting them too this year... Black rocks don't usually lay till 24 ish weeks... and thats getting pretty close to cooling down and stopping laying time... however the white sussex laid eggs right through last years snowy cold winter.... so we'll just wait and see... I've got no name for her yet...


I've cleared up the garden... trimmed back the unruly hedge... it could do with a buzz over with the hedge trimmer ... I mowed the lawn and the chickens were not phased at all... the compost heap is fit to bust... fruit trees have been tidied up... they sustained some damage this year with too heavy a crop and the windy weather during the summer holidays... I'm still learning how to care for fruit trees and how to use their fruits...


the school harvest festival was really good this year... lots of donations which the year 6 children take around the the bungalows and they sing some harvest songs to the older villagers in the day centre...


I still have a few apples to harvest... I really want to get some pie filling ready to freeze down... but as with most things I am really struggling to find the energy... and the umpf to get me started... I just cant jump start my enthusiasm... its all inside me but I feel like I'm ticking over ... going through the motions to get through each day... I could sit in the garden and just "be" all day if the nagging thought of all the other things I should be doing didn't rattle my brain...


The sky this morning was wonderful... a promise of warmth with the underlying threat of rain... thats exactly as my iphone took it ... looking from my back door... I am not keen on digitally enhancing pictures... I prefer the sheer joy of actually being in the right place at the right time and snapping that lucky shot...

I welly walked with the reception class this morning from 9 till 10... then whipped home got jamie started on English and took in a delivery from Tesco's and packed it away... then I had a bite to eat... kept jamie focused on her English and then as the sun came out took the chance to fill the chickens water feeders and cleaned out the coop...


I just managed to get it all done before 3pm then I shot off to school to pick up Daniel... put the coop back together, Daniel helped me by adding the bedding to the nesting area... and then it was indoors to wash up a few dishes and cook tea..

Looking back on today I suppose it was quite busy... I hadn't realised... however because its stuff that you know needs to be done its almost like it doesn't register as being stuff you actually want to do... does that make sense? probably not! lol

I think I shall pop off now, Les has returned from playing squash followed by a drink at the pub with his mate... we have major decisions to make about his current works contract... he's been told that he'll "probably" be let go at Christmas... the other 11 contractors will be gone by then... so we have to decide if we take a gamble and see if they find the funds to extend his contract in January or do we look for another job that will require commuting of about an hour of so or even him staying away all week... its tough times for everyone at the moment... but I am not a gambler... I feel we should make plans and be proactive about the situation rather than reactive when it actually happens...

its tricky though...

well ... night night..
may tomorrow morning bring you joy and love and take care

xx

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A little bit of this ....

....and a little bit of that....
I've been busy doing some DIY, household bits and bobs, a crochet demonstration (which went real well!) and trying to get the garden, chickens and home ready for the onset of winter.... on the crochet front I've been having lots of fun...

My floppy dog eventually got some arms and his ears, body and tail were teazed out with a small wire pet brush till they were nice and fluffy...


I bought a new book... but I do find that crocheted toys are much sturdier and firmer than a knitted toy...


this was a very large flannel that I added a border too... its made with cotton dishcloth yarn...


the border was from my new border book...


and this creation was a quick "make it up" as you go along idea for a wash mitt, I have so many odds and ends of yarn that I really must use them up and as our bathroom is practically finished... I'll need a new flannel!



this was our bathroom at the end of July.... its been a huge project in a tiny room... dirty, dusty and at times soul destroying.... however the thought of having a bathroom that would look clean and tidy after you've cleared it with enough storage to actually not have to have the gubbings of 2 adults, a teenage girl and a 5 year old boy was soooo appealing...


and voila....


I am so pleased with the end result, last nights shower was such a pleasure... and all I have left to do is some painting .... Im such a happy girl right now!


This guy has found his voice... :( however ... he's not too noisy and only crows a few times in the morning and perhaps in the afternoon... however ... I am waiting to see if he will induce complaints from the neighbours... he's also found his purpose in life and he's targeting one of the older girls to hone his skills... if you get my drift... however ... she's not overly impressed with being the focus of his affections..

I have such a long list of things that I aught to be doing and a whole heap of things I'd rather be doing... lol ... so many creative ideas bouncing around in my head smothering the thoughts of the mundane and tedious chores that I know I should be accomplishing... sigh!

Les's Dad is unwell and currently in a ward at the local village hospital to convalesce ... he had been yo yo ing his way between home and the hospital in Dorchester however he was not getting any better and fluid was building up around his lungs as well as his heart... so thats another worry constantly preying on your mind... Les's is taking his mum to visit tonight...

A 2 bed bungalow has come up for sale in the village where we live... it would be perfect if Les's parents could move there, however we don't have the funds to put down a deposit although we'd be willing to take on the second mortgage... they currently rent a housing association property in Dorset so theres no home to sell to enable them to move closer...

its one of those tricky situations that needs sorting out... but needs the collaboration of family members... and to be honest is best left to Les and his sisters...

well I had better go... Jamie has gone for a hair cut and is having some high lights or low lights... lol ... who knows what shes having done.... needless to say i'll probably have to go and pay the extra... lol

take care
Alex
x

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