That's another fine mess that you've got me into!

Yesterday i posed the question "What word would you ban?"  One response was the word "So" at the start of every sentence - and I understand that - when I first started teaching the pupils would randomly say "Left" and I couldn't understand why - until they explained that I started each sentence with the word "Right" -oops!  However, based on today's activities, I want to ban myself saying "Yes" - particularly to yet another craft project!

As I explained yesterday, this weekend sees a "Sewing Retreat" at Scamblesby where we will meet and sew for a whole weekend - so, of course, things have to be cut and prepared, threads organised, bags packed etc.  As per normal, I have more than enough projects to do and take with me - hence the cutting out yesterday afternoon.   Today I carried on with the task -trying to get to the end of the "Saddle Bag" that Louise is teaching us.  Boy, oh boy, does the preparation seem to be never ending - it always seems to take as long to cut out as it does to make it! And, I ask you, why have I said yes?  It's a lovely bag but was it on my "to do" list?  Nope!!!  So, why am I giving over huge chunks of valuable time to make it?  I guess the real answer is that I get too tempted by something different, something new!  As I said, I need to learn how to say no!  Okay - rant over - time to pack the car up.


In between the preparation, I managed to do some washing, ironing and tidying around.  I even managed to sort the downstairs bedroom - it has become rather like a dumping ground now that I am sleeping upstairs so needed a sort out!  It's amazing what a bedspread adds to a room isn't it - I like a duvet but, somehow, a bedspread brings it all together.   Mind you - there was a casualty - the strap on my fitbit keeps breaking so I have emailed the company to see what they suggest that i do.

Tonight is the monthly book club meeting - well, dinner at the local pub (they are trying to make me a sw dinner and pud - it helps that I taught the two landlords when they were 11 - 16 years old doesn't it?), a discussion followed by (probably) an epic failure at the quiz!  It's been three months since I have been to the book club (I was on holiday for one and we don't meet in August) so it will be nice to get back to normal.

Which word would you ban?

 Let's go back to yesterday's blog.  Minutes before writing it, my mother phoned and challenged me to write a post without mentioning the word "sewing".  Since I had spent all day making a  sewing box it was a tad difficult - particularly when my "homework" was some hand sewing - but I managed it!

Today was a "normal" day - I only had to go to two meetings!  This morning it was the WI committee meeting - which lasted nearly 3 hours!!!!!  It was the secretary's birthday and Carine made a Banana and caramel cake whilst Sue brought some chocolate eclairs - I am pleased to report that I avoided both and had a hifi bar with my coffee instead!  I am trying to keep focused on achieving my goal weight by November 8th - but it can be to to avoid the temptations!  I would have taken a photo -but the cake was demolished too quickly!

Back home, and with the sun desperately trying to make an appearance, it was time to walk the dogs and have a light lunch - before heading on out to pick up my monthly prescription and pay the church gardener.  Sometimes its the little jobs that take the time but give the most satisfaction isn't it?










Next on the agenda was some SEWING (there I have said it Mum!) preparation for the weekend.  We are having a "retreat" at Scamblesby (ie we are here for the whole weekend) and so I need to prep some projects - some are Christmas related whilst Louise is teaching us how to sew a handbag (thank goodness I have a stash of fabric to choose from!)  I am also grateful for iplayer etc - its nice to be able to play the tv on the computer whilst I work.  I have actually caught up with Cold Feet now!



Tonight it's another church meeting.  This time someone is coming from "head office" to talk to us about the fact we haven't had a vicar for some time and, I hope, explain what is going on and when the advert is going to be placed!  I can't get my head around why it takes years to fill a vacancy in the Church of England!

"When you wait for a bus and four turn up at once!

Today was the first of a series of monthly workshops to create a beautiful storage box for all of my supplies.  I guess it felt a little bit like going back to school - not knowing everyone and wondering whether you ad the right equipment.  We started by cutting and scoring cardboard










before gluing and ticking wadding and fabric to the insides








and then used masking tape to construct the boxes and to keep all four together (guess which one is wrong!)








Suffice to say that this is a long project - and I have come home with homework to complete - but t was great fun and lots of laughs and new friends.

Mind you - as I drove home down my road I passed not one but four post office vans - in our small,village????  Ah well, I am off to enjoy the slow cooker tea that  I started this morning and then will start my homework and get it out of the way - such fun!!

Catching up with old friends

Today was my 6 month catch up lunch with old friends from the other side of the country.  Several years ago we found a pub that was central (in terms of time travelling) and so meet up there for a three hour lunch and a good old catch up.  Of course, the fact that it means me driving past Lincoln never upsets me - Lincoln has a Waitrose and, well, erm, I did need to get some diesel after all!  Ironically, Waitrose diesel is no dearer than other supermarkets - just feels a bit posher!






The pub we meet up at is Called The Dovecote Inn and, helpfully from a Slimming World point of view, has its menus listed online.  I therefore had already researched the menu and picked a dish of mushrooms in a cream sauce (don't worry - I left most of the sauce) followed by a salad of chicken and bacon with potatoes - the pesto sauce was left "on the side". Instead of a pudding I just had a coffee which came with its own small truffle chocolate - so all within the allowance - result!!


Of course such a catch up is not all about the food - its about the conversation.  Their children are my godchildren but are now in their 30's -so it's interesting to hear how they are getting on.  Emma, for example, is a production coordinator for the BBC and is currently working on Match Of The Day!



Back home and it's a quick turn around to get everything ready for tonight's sewing class - why do we need so much "stuff"?  I am going to take the (now finished - hurrah) Lynnette Anderson wall hanging to show them - and then it can be hung up on a wall and I can move on to the next project!  Now - which one will I choose?

I've got a Golden Ticket!!

I will start by apologising - today's blog will be rather short!  It started, as ever, with The Textile Group where we were trying to deal with the last block from our mystery Christmas wall hanging.  With any luck, some of us will be able to start the quilting of each block next week before we add the sashing!  We did have one new member who was trying to get her old machine to do some free machine embroidery - let's just say that I taught her how to do blanket stitch instead whilst she looks for her manual and more feet than the current one ( a zipper foot!)

After a quick hour back at home - sorting out the craftroom desk and getting the bin ready to put out tonight - it was off to Slimming world via Tesco's.  I was really pleased to see a friend join us - she had wanted to give up entirely last week - and delighted to celebrate Jean losing two pounds and being given her Club 10 award - she has been wanting this award for sooooo long and now only has 7 lbs to lose to get to target.  Me?  Well I lost 2 1/2 lbs so that's not too bad -  but I could still do better so I have asked for a food diary which will need to be given into teacher next week and marked!  Help - that should focus me then!  I only have 6 weeks left before my self imposed deadline and need to lose 19lbs in that time - YIKES!!


And the Golden Ticket reference?  Well, I forgot to say that I did a 5k walk last week for one of those medals that I collect - this time its a Willy Wonka one that opens to reveal the golden ticket - how old am I??????





Tonight I just have 4 buttons to sew onto my Lynette Anderson wall hanging and then - you will be pleased to hear - will be the end of the matter!!  Picture tomorrow - honest!

Where there's a beginning, then there has to be an end.

Today is the third and final day of my "Home Fest".  The headline act last night (Strictly Come Dancing) was great (I have chosen Aston in our family "sweepstake") and, as I went to bed, I was treated to a laser light display in the air (there is a festival going on in a field around 15 miles from here but light travels!).  Mind you, I agree with Sewingbuddy (now that's a turn up for the books!) - using an indoor loo in the ensuite is far more civilised than wellies and a portaloo / bucket!

Today I woke up to a bright and sunny morning - blue skies with just the lightest of breezes.  First up on the festival programme was the "religious celebration tent" and so off to church I went.  Mind you I did manage to cut strips for the wallhanging binding before I set off.   I managed to complete the hand quilting last night so want to trim and add the binding today.



Once home, and after a light lunch, it was back out to the "She cave painting tent" where the side windows, top trim and any touch ups were completed.  Hey voila - the outside of the She Cave is finished (only taken a year!!).  I wasn't sure about the dark "Willow" colour but, on reflection, I think that it makes the "elderflower" cream colour "pop".  My festival even enjoyed an aerial display (well, a lone light aircraft flew overhead but some would pay for that).




I wasn't sure what to do next but the festival programme had an intriguing activity called "Scenic observations" so I thought that I would give it a try - turns out it was a dog walk up at the beach - ah well!


However the next activity was right up my street - "Textiles collisions" - sewing the strips together for my binding and then sewing it onto the wall hanging - along with the hanging sleeve - all the time listening to the Archers Omnibus Bliss!  Mind you, my festival was gate crashed at this point by Wendy - who wanted my BFF to make her a badge to sew onto her uniform - no problems for BFF!!

By now most festival goers would normally be leaving, and the festival programme closed - after all they have work to go to tomorrow - but I have decided to stay and enjoy a leisurely dinner of lamb shank with roasted vegetables (I have been looking forward to this all weekend) whilst looking forward to the Benedict Cumberbatch drama on BBC 1 tonight (I have yet to watch anything involving him that has not been good).  With any luck I will be able to hand sew the binding on and then add the buttons - before chalking this project off as finished - FINALLY!

This has been a lovely, self indulgent, long weekend - and one that I must do again! Soon!

Tonight's the night!

Well, its day 2 of my "Home Fest" - well, everyone is going to some kind of festival these days so I can have my own at home - eh?  The music comes from the radio and the activities are varied!  First up was shed painting - a little known activity on the festival circuit but very satisfying when you stand back and begin to see the end of a task.  (I am hoping that tomorrow lives up to the sunny forecast so that I can finish the she cave).





Then it was onto some housework and dog walking - before heading over to the "craft tent"and starting on the layering up and quilting of the Lynette Anderson wall hanging.  My aim was to finish this by tea time so that I can spend some time tonight sewing in loose ends and tidying up before adding the binding tomorrow.





Then it was onto the "environmental tent" - or rather, tidying up the garden.  With dry weather, it seemed an opportune time to start bringing in the garden furniture, sweeping the area and filling up the green bin.  It kind of feels as if I am beginning to put the garden to bed for the winter!



The final activity for today is scheduled for tonight - don't all festivals have a headline act?  Well, mine is Strictly Come Dancing which starts in earnest tonight - and I can't wait!!!!!  A chance to enjoy good music, good dancing and lots of hand sewing - such bliss!  Maybe everyone should have their own "Homefest"!

Should I admit this?

I have been REALLY looking forward to today!  Nothing on the calendar, no appointments / trips out / catch up with friends etc - just bunkering down in my own little home and a chance to get on with some jobs that have been nagging me to get down for far too long!  The weather forecast has been sunny for today and cloudy but dry for the weekend - so, as the saying goes, the world is my lobster!  Not only that but the hot water bottle that was glued to my back last night (yes - even during the church meeting) seems to have done its trick with just a niggle left.  So - today was the day - when I planned to roll up my sleeves and start to tick those tasks off!




First up, rather predictably I know, was some sewing.  This Lynette Anderson wall hanging needed its final borders attaching and I had been making a mountain out of the proverbial.  This morning I sat down, focused and completed the task.  Tonight I plan to remove any stray threads and embroider a couple of fence lines (as well as adjusting a couple of border rectangles that have been very naughty and come out of line - that one is for the quilt police!) - then it will be ready for layering up and quilting - hopefully tomorrow.

Housework followed - hovering around / dishwasher filling / bedding washed etc - you know the sort of thing - before heading out into the garden.  As you can see it has been rather neglected recently and needed a good tidy up.  It's amazing what a simple mow and edge trimming can achieve isn't it?  Mind you - I had to leave the mowing longer than I wanted to - the grass was just too wet! Fortunately, I was interrupted by a phone call from Mum and Dad - we then agreed to meet up for a late lunch at a local tea shop - it was so nice that we sat outside.

Enjoying the sunshine, it was then onto the main event -painting the window trim of the she cave.  YES I have had the paint for a year now, but - hey -you can't rush a master piece now can you?  At least I remembered to remove the masking tape straight away this time!  I will add that the plan is to finish the other half tomorrow!

After a nice walk up at the beach with the dogs, I gave myself permission to chill - well, you wouldn't want to put your back out now would you?  I say chill - trying to sort out i-tunes on the new phone is proving more stressful than it should!  I normally have Morecambe and Wise's "Bring me sunshine" as my ringtone and I just cant get used to the generic tone - action is definitely needed!

Non scale victories

Today was a scheduled day out at Meadowhall - meeting up with Julia and Trisha.  Days like this mean that, not only do we have a chance for a good catch up , but  also have the opportunity to visit "the bright lights" and get tempted along the way!



Having lost nearly 4 stone, so far, I am feeling the cold a little more -and so decided to buy a couple of jumpers.  As ever, I went into Evans and bought a nice Jade green v neck and a stylish black jumper with embroidery on.  However, as I popped into M & S to meet up with the girls, I passed a fetching blouse - in a size lower than I would wear - dare I?  Well, 10 minutes later I had bought the blouse, and another jumper - trying them on at home they both fit - what a result!!  I guess that's what you call a Non Scale victory then!



Julia was kind enough to buy us both a bunch of flowers, whilst Trisha told us all about her travels to New Zealand - and gave me this lovely stash of New Zealand fabric - mmmmmmmmmmm!  That's what I call good friends!  She has also lent me a jigsaw - one based on a quilt shop - I will post a photo when its done - but it's lush!  I think that Trisha is in danger of becoming quite addicted to this fabric thing!

Lunch was at House Of Fraser - never fear, I had taken mine with me - and then proceeded to drop it all over the floor - let's just say that I am looking forward to tea tonight! Then it was time to meander back to M &S to do some food shopping before coming home -well, you have to treat yourself now and then don't you?  They had a good "Dine in for 2" offer and I picked up some steak, veg and fruit salad (all of which I wanted anyway) along with wine (well, it's not just any sewing retreat .........)

The only fly in today's ointment is that my back has gone and I have a pain down my leg - making walking difficult.  In fact I have dusted down the walking stick - which seems to help.  I have to go to a church meeting tonight - but I suspect that a hot water bottle may just come with me!  Given that I have a mountain of jobs to do in the garden tomorrow, I am hoping that this rights itself tonight!

Another fine mess that you've got me into!

Today was a bit of an experiment, to be truthful, but one that,so far, has turned out well!  For some time now, Sewingbuddy and I have felt that we are stagnating - craft wise - and need to push ourselves further and develop our artistic side (or find mine in my case!).  Whilst I was away at my brother's wedding, Sewingbuddy went to a quilt show and was bowled over by their work -getting an invite to join the group into the bargain for both of us.  Today was our first visit so we decided to take along some hand sewing so that we could work but also have time to talk to others, develop friendships and perhaps see how the land lies about future projects.

Similar to our Scamblesby group, there were a range of activities going on - three ladies were wet and dry felting.  Jenny, who used to teach Sewingbuddy and I, was making an abstract wall hanging for her brother in law.  Karen, the group leader. showed us the product of a workshop that she had been on recently - based on the seaside.  Whilst her dog, Maddie, kept her company!  (Apologies for no photos - my phone has been busy all day trying to swap numbers form my old phone to my new one and my ipad doesn't want to play ball!)

Sewingbuddy took her Lynette Anderson Christmas cushion to continue with, whilst I took my mini hexagons to sew into a butterfly.

So -what are we doing next time?  Well Karen is gong to show us how to paint fabric and then free machine it to create marks and effects that could, in turn, be used to create book covers etc.  Watch this space - its the third Wednesday in October so I have got time develop my creative side lol!

I'm just off down to the lodge .....

Well, today was decision day - were Mum and Dad going to buy the summerhouse or not? I had checked with local planning regs (2.5m high limit if within 2 m of the boundary, otherwise a 4m height limit), Dad had measured and marked out the floorplan on the patio and a decision was made - we would go to the garden centre and have another look.  We looked, measured again, talked to the man in charge and........ then...... went off for a cuppa and a final discussion!  Well, as the advert says, this isn't just any old summerhouse ............


Actually, this is a fine summerhouse - they have decided to call it a lodge (although that makes it sound far grander than it is!)  The walls are nearly 5cm thick and the windows are double glazed - so it should be really warm inside.  I don't know if you can make it out from the photo but the thick walls slot together like a massive jigsaw.  The summerhouse has now been purchased and should be delivered and erected within the next 3 -5 weeks!!




Back home, and enjoying the much wanted summery day, it was off up to the beach with the dogs before settling down in my summerhouse and the removal of (yet more) tape from the windows- watched and assisted by Daisy of course. I have certainly learnt my lesson.  When I paint the outside (hopefully later this week) that tape will be removed immediately!  During the session, Sewingbuddy phoned me with payment details for another sewing retreat that she is organising next March.  Cue an online payment - what would we do without this facility?

I would like to say that this evening will be spent doing some sewing - since I haven't done any today so far - but I got a new phone yesterday and so will spend tonight trying to get it sorted,transferring contact details etc.  I am keeping the same phone number - that always makes life a little easier!

Oops - maybe I should have had that batter on my fish after all!

Today it was back to school!  Well, back for the textile group in any case - we were a small select group and making a start on the 4th block from our mystery Christmas wall hanging.  We also had a couple of guests which made for an interesting discussion!

Back home, and a tidy round / dishwasher loading / washing machine loading etc, it was soon off and out again.  On my way I stopped off at Mum and Dad's with a hand made sign for their house - they have a sign already but it can't be seen from the road.  Instead I bought some adhesive stickers and used a spare piece of 2 x2 wood - Mum was over the moon!

I was on my way to slimming world - let's just say that the blog title rang true - sometimes you just have weeks that don't go your way!  So it's back to meal planning and being focused.  I am even starting a clean food diary to record everything!  Mind you -the majority of the slimming world group weren't feeling it either today -perhaps its the change in weather!

A stitch a day .........

Today was a Scamblesby sewing day and, as usual. we were all doing different projects.



Gill, for example, who is a real novice, was creating an artistic tote bag and amazing herself with how well it was going.








Meanwhile Pat was hand embroidering her shipping forecast quilt.








Terry was sorting the angel applique's for our sewing retreat project,








Whilst Jean was trying to finish a couple of Sew Together bags.











Heather and Louise had promised Louis's daughter a quilt by Friday so Louise was working on that, whilst Heather sorted her own Sew Together bag.

And me?  Well, another Christmas present - how did you guess?



Of course talk soon turned to the upcoming sewing retreat in Norfolk.  However Terry had also managed to source a cheaper weekend for us all up in Scarborough next March - so that's another holiday to look forward to!   In short, it was another cheerful, friendly sewing day with plenty of laughs and giggles.  I would say, however, that many of us were feeling sleep deprived by the end of the day!  Maybe we just missed our naps!

You are never alone!

This morning was a little strange!  In the summer, when I popped into Doughty's in the summer, you may recall, I bought some scrap fabric bags which proved to be extremely good value!  Doughty's - a fabric store for the uninitiated - take their fabric on a tour around the country and, today, had set up in a community hall about an hour away.  I therefore contacted them to see of they could bring some scrap bags with them - which they agreed to do. This is a long way round to explaining why, on a wet Saturday morning, I set off on a two hour round trip to pick up three bags of fabric scraps!




The hall looked resplendent - with all of the fabric bolts set out - and ladies (yes I didn't see any men) jostling to see what's available and then waiting patiently in line with an average of 5 bolts in their arms waiting to be cut.  Me?  Well, I bought a reel of cotton - and the three scrap bags!






Meanwhile, who should I see - but Pat and Terry!  Of course we had to catch up over a cuppa and Terry had to show me her wares - gentling checking that I was feeling okay after not buying anything.  As I left, feeling very virtuous, she did then remind me about a class that we are both taking so she did get me some batiks for it - but still, I did well to avoid the temptation - surely?


Back home, and a lunch of homemade soup, it was down to some church admin before a, erm, power nap.  I must admit to feeling very cold - probably because I am so tired and hopefully not coming down with anything.  Tonight I am off out again for my monthly volunteering at the theatre - ironically, selling ice cream.

Creating a quiet retreat

Today, it was back to Mum and Dad's again - this time to take them summerhouse hunting!  Now that the fencing is coming on, the corner has been cleared of the dreaded Ivy and a large patio discovered, they wanted a focal point and somewhere which catches the morning sun for their breakfast and morning coffee.  So it was a run out to a garden centre - wow - I didn't know that there were so many different styles!  Everyone had to be entered and assessed for window location(would they be up against the new fence?) and window opening possibilities (the summerhouse will be in a potentially warm position so it needs to have some circulating air).  Let's just say that we have found our "dream" summer house but ........... (more later).

After much discussion, examination of pamphlets and coffee, it was then off to a local woodyard which had been recommended.  It was a good place to know about - although their range of summerhouses was limited.  However I do think that Dad will be going back there for more fencing supplies!


By now it was lunchtime and so we stopped at Caistor Lakes on our way home.  I had fish and chips - but had extra mushy peas instead of chips and then took the batter off the fish - get me!  I did undo my goodness with a single scoop of salted caramel ice cream but resisted the wide range of gateaux on offer!





Back home - and here comes the "but" - we marked out the various sizes of dream summerhouse and then checked height restrictions with our local council.  The building regs department confirmed that they had no concerns and gave me the direct line to the planning department - who were engaged unto 4pm and then didn't answer after 4pm - go figure!  So, with fingers crossed, we may just be going back on Tuesday to buy a summerhouse!

I left Mum and Dad for a nap and have come home to catch up with the chores that are becoming neglected!  Well, it's either that or sewing - you decide!

The return of the chuckle brothers!

Well, after another sleep deprived night - anyone want a cockerpoo? - it was an early start (ish) round to Mum and Dad's to carry on with their fencing.  Whilst the weather decided what it wanted to do, and Dad got himself ready, I completed the next stage of their Italian adventure - their applications for their EHIC cards.

Out in the garden, the first job was to sort the second panel of the fence - and the concrete post.  But never fear - Dad has a system!!!!! The trouble was it didn't seem to involve logic and organisation - let alone communication to me!  Never mind, we started to approach coffee time with a second panel in place and the post ready to concrete.

Next up was two posts and two panels that were to be put in, perhaps, the most awkward spot in the garden - behind a shed and under a tree!!!!  Let's just say that we went into lunch (at nearly 2pm) with just one post concreted in and a second one in place - but with no idea as to how to get the fence panels in place!  As these things often do, we went out after lunch and the two panels slid easily into place and the second concrete post was vertical!  Result!

I had to leave early - leaving Dad to finish the job - due to a cultural appointment tonight.  Jean and I are watching Carmen at the cinema - "live from the Lake" - get us eh?  The dogs were pleased to see me - but I bet they get their own way again tonight!  I will be just too tired to ignore them!!

"Come on Aileen"

Wow - what a night it was - with storm Aileen doing her bit.  I appreciate that it was nowhere near as bad as other areas of the world have experienced recently - but it certainly gave me a disturbed night!  Not least because it completely spooked the dogs out - so they ended up sleeping with me - again!

This morning, the plan was to go back to Mum and Dad's to finish the fencing.  However they had to pop to B & Q's first thing (OAP day - discounts - say no more!), so, whilst I waited for a phone call to say that they were back home, I got on with adding some borders to the Anderson's Farm wall hanging. I have traced the 4 hearts which will go in the corners and so can start to embroider them tonight.


Next up was a quick visit to the local pet store to pick up some Frontline for the dog's regular flee treatment.  I have never seen any of my dogs with fleas, thank goodness, but they are starting to scratch a little so need to take pre-emptive action.  The local store has only just started to stock it - it might be a tad expensive - but much cheaper than driving 20 minutes each way to a pet store / vets!  Of course the dog's bedding all has to be washed as well -just in case!  That's a day's work at least!

I decided to set off for Mum and Dad's - only to receive a phone call on the way - "The wind might make the job too difficult - can we do the fence tomorrow and i will paint the rest of the panels today?"  No problem - I say as  turn around - thinking, great, dog bedding in the washing machine and a swim this afternoon!

An early lunch, a blustery dog walk and then it was time to head off for a swim.  I am ashamed to say that this was the first time since Mum ad Dad moved up here on the 1st June!!!!!!!  In my defence I was busy helping them, and then the summer holiday started and it got mad in the pool.  It was really nice to enjoy a leisurely swim and start to retrain those muscles -even if it did turn out to be busier than i expected.  Still I managed 72 widths - I usually aim for 84 but, erm, needed a comfort break!!  Still not bad for the first time back.

Back home, and with washing load number three on, it was time to get some more sewing preparation done (it's another Scamblesby sewing Day this Sunday so I need to sort my projects out) before mowing the lawn and then settling down for some evening tv and sewing.  Today, thanks to storm Aileen, didn't pan out in the way that I thought it would - but, hey, I'm not complaining!

I didn't know that a carer did all of this!!

It's becoming a family joke that I am now Mum and Dad's carer (not that they need one yet - thankfully!) and, as I go through my day today - you decide!!

Mum and Dad had planned to have their car serviced this morning and I was asked to pick them up, go out for a nice coffee and then take them home - helping them with a couple of things whilst they waited and then run them back to collect the car.  Of course, things never plan out as well as this - starting with a wood delivery that was expected this afternoon.  One text message last night and delivery would be between 9am and 2pm!! Slightly different.  So, instead, I picked them up and we went straight home for our coffee.  Whilst we waited for the wood, I made a start on their passport applications (Mum is going to fly for the first time ever next August at the young age of 78!!).




Whilst I was form filling, they mentioned that the heating hadn't worked in the lounge last night - it has been getting chilly in the evening and they are waiting for quotes to install their log burner.  I showed them how to set the timer for heating and water (it's the same system as I have) and then Dad and I investigated why some radiators worked and others didn't (none of them had thermostatic valves on them).  It turned out that some valves turned and that was all that was needed -problem solved and, let's hope, the heating comes on as planned this evening!



Next up was arranging for a couple of firms to quote for their en-suite.  I think that I mentioned sometime ago that they have an en-suite - with just a shower and a sink in it!!!!  No toilet!!!!!  Hopefully the three phone calls that I made will help secure a quote and a re-furb!

With the wood arriving, it was then all hands on deck to paint the back of some fence panels before we tried to put a fence up.  I should add that, until the fence is secured, my dogs can't go and visit / stay so it is in my interest to see this job sorted.  With three panels painted and drying, Dad and I then attempted to fix a panel in place whilst concreting the side post in.  Let's just say that I am glad no cameras were trained on us but that we have learnt a lot!  With Dad left holding the post as the concrete set, it was then back to the garage with Mum to collect the car before leaving her to come home for tea and to get sorted for tonight's return to the sewing class.

So - I ask you - is this what a carer really does?  I wouldn't mind - but it's return of the "carer" tomorrow - there are more concrete posts and fence panels to deal with yet!