100 posts later

Well I have spent much of this afternoon attempting to learn how to transfer photos taken with my iPad onto this blog. So, have decided to chat away and then, using my laptop, will add some pictures. That means there may be not be a picture of the broken Knit Pro needles with the second pink sock on them. Second time these needles have broken, Ian attempted to repair the first ones but they are so fine, 2.5mm so repairs didn't quite work.

These are the needles that broke,I was pulling the yarn very tight so there is no ladder where I switch from one needle to the other. Having looked at Ravelry I gather this is a common problem with this size needle.

Dear daughter couldn't work out either how to use the pictures I have taken with my iPod, she set up Flikr and Tumblr for me. No success there either. Am giving up as if daughter with IT background cannot fathom this, no one can.

Have switched to my trusty old lap top now so you will have some pictures, but firstly I cannot resist posting this about Anchorage Public library. http://www.muni.org/Departments/library/Events/Documents/hats%20off.pdf

Readers have been asked to knit or crochet hats to put on the busts and statues of authors to celebrate 25 years of Loussac library. The hats will go to charity afterwards, what a lovely idea.

Whilst we were away I was thinking about the whole business of packing up and going away even for just a few days. Sometimes is it worth it? Finding and deciding which cases to use; what to take and what to wear; domestic planning involving food whereby one runs down fresh stores but leaves enough for a meal on return. Then there is house security, especially with all the building work going on around us.

In the past we have frequently forgotten important items, when we went annually to Solihull the visit to John Lewis was not only because we liked that branch of the store but because we'd omitted to pack something. This time we forgot to pick up the vouchers for our prepaid newspaper so frantic texting to daughter asking her to use them so we could catch up on our return. We do have the paper downloaded onto iPad but the articles are selective, especially at weekends.

This time nothing else as such was left out but I didn't feel Ian had chosen the right shirts for a party, they were well enough, not garish, not old or the wrong colours but just not right. Think office wear, safe and boring. So a trip to the shops, fortunately Austin Reed had a sale so we came away with two shirts, one long sleeved and one short, a jumper and two pairs of colourful socks. Beautifully made shirts, I like the short sleeved one, firm fabric with good facings too. Haven't a picture of himself wearing it but will try.

Another factor about going away by car is that we always leave far later than we intended. This time we were  away on the Friday, I would have preferred to pack the preceding evening but was advised it would be better in the morning. It wasn't, even if we had a more up to date weather forecast. No discipline of a check in meant an unpleasant journey down M3, heavy traffic and gusty winds.

It was worth it this time, the party was very good and so was the hotel so we ate and slept well, met up with other relations on our way home but once home there was unpacking and laundry piling up. No other trips away are planned, happy about that, I love our home and we are so near the tourist hot spots.

Just in case you were wondering, we stayed in room 9 at Wood Lodge Hotel in Bournemouth.  Recommended.http://www.woodlodgehotel.co.uk/

Not a usual blog, just my thoughts on stuff in July, realise that we are all so different. Seem to have stopped taking pictures, must do so even if it is just our view of the building works next door. this was the view on 12th July.

Wednesday 21st April 2010

Outside my window... bright, sunny and chilly but for the first time in days there are a few contrails in the sky.

I am thinking... of how much time I have wasted playing around on my laptop today when there is Mount Ironmore to climb, I need to shop, send some emails and do some dusting.

I am thankful for...living in a friendly community. Whilst struggling home with shopping last Saturday friend's husband took all of it and brought it in and put it on the kitchen table.

From the learning rooms... yesterday I was at our  Local studies library where, amongst others, I have become a volunteer. The library has been given planning applications dating from about 1880s to 1950s for the three former boroughs that came together to form one borough in 1963. The planning applications are beautiful drawings of buildings that in many cases were never built, but others are still in existance today. The collection is to be digitalised and scanned, thanks to a grant from the lottery heritage fund. We volunteers are recording information for the data base. So much my interests, as a librarian, as an indexer, as a local resident whose family has been in the area for over 100 years, as one interested in buildings. I commence work next week for a couple of hours one afternoon.

From the kitchen... not much. I'm eating ham salad for lunch so no cooking.

I am wearing... black trousers, pink and black spotted pleated blouse

I am creating... This latest blog.

I am going... To Whitton to buy carrots!

I am reading... nothing, but will start Joanna Trollope's 'The other family' collected it yesterday from library.

I am hoping... my friend and her family will be able to fly from Luton Airport to Lanzorotte tomorrow. She needs and deserves a holiday so much.

I am hearing... One of the first aircraft to fly over our home since Heathrow was opened again last night. Usually we would have so many planes and much noise as it is high pressure weather at present.

Around the house... It is very quiet as I am home alone. Ian has gone to build in wardrobes in our DIL 2B's house and add more storage for her. It is so good he is practical but needs to fit it in with his Open University maths. studies. He has a tutorial on Monday, but is well ahead and understands the work.

One of my favourite things...Time in the morning to read the daily newspaper and attempt the quick crossword. Difficult one today.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Attending a talk tomorrow evening about how Christians can live a green life and care for His world. on Saturday there are celebrations for the Silver wedding of Caroline and Nigel. There is a service of thanksgiving and a bit of a do afterwards. C & N went to Seychelles as a celebration and because of the Volcanic ash were in Zurich for a few days before travelling on a ferry and reaching home four days late. They were well treated by Air Seychelles so this airline is to be commended.

To anyone who reads this would you please comment? Even if just to tell me that some one has read this!

Many thanks, PixieMum