Catchup

Simple Woman's Daybook: 22nd September 2011

Outside My Window ... bit cloudy, slight breeze.

From the learning rooms ... revision, revision, revision for M121.

I am thankful ... that I received a letter from the Breast Screening Unit today telling me that my x-rays showed no signs of cancer. Great relief, although this was a standard screening and I had no reason to think anything would be amiss.

I am wearing ... dark blue straight length jeans, striped Thomas pink blouse and navy heavy cotton cardigan.

I am creating ... hexipuffs, have reached 25, yesterday was the first time I have used two different yarns, didn't think I had enough of each to complete the whole. The pale blue yarn came from The Wool Bar, a yarn shop in Worthing. There has been enough to make three and a half hexipuffs, the cost has been a donation to the local hospice as this was the end of a ball. Chose blue to represent the sea, even though it was a grey sea on Saturday.

I was in Worthing driving Martha around to find a suitable house to share. Pleased to announce that she appears to have found somewhere to lay her head, so all is settled. Long time since I had been in that part of the world, as the A24 had been blocked on way down due to an oil spillage we drove back via A29 and north avoiding the motorways. English countryside through both Sussex and Surrey looked beautiful. Couldn't take pictures as I was driving.

I am going ... to plant the strawberry plants, these were collected from a local garden after I had seen them advertised on Freecycle. The gardeners were trying to sell plants from their garden too but I thought they were expensive, may have been ok if it were for charity.

I am reading ... well have read, The diary of an ordinary woman by Margaret Forster. Had read it before as I'd spotted it when working at the library but had forgotten much of the detail. Been a while since a book took preference over other activities. Enjoyed the novel, not sure I agree with the online criticisms that some readers hadn't realised it was fiction.

I am hearing ... noise of builders. Not just the actual building noises, but the shouting of the workman, why do they have to speak so loudly and shout to each other? Even worse in other languages.

Around the house ... beautifully clean and tidy, our Treasure came today so the homestead looks good.

One of my favourite things ... is the idea of unintended consequences. Ian and I decided we would like fish for supper (Martha is out so we can). Rather than spend time and/or money going to Twickenham we would walk to Whitton High Street - 5 - 10 minutes at most - and purchase a well known brand of non breaded fish at Iceland. We diverted to call at a friend's house to drop something off, then set off for shops before meeting another friend. He invited us back to his house for tea, we'd just passed it, (his house, not teatime) but we agreed. Sat, chatted, drank tea, ate cake then left, reached Iceland which is the other end of High Street, ambled back. The builder supervising the work at next-door-but-one spoke to us, long chat ensued about construction, wiring, chimneys, house prices before we were released by his phone. When we reached home Ian asked if I realised that we had been out for over two hours - unintended consequences of dropping something off at a friend's house and buying fish.

Shows the benefits of not moving away on retirement and of not jumping in the car but walking around this suburban village. Although the High Street is not as good as it was once when one never needed to shop anywhere else, it looks a bit scruffy, unfortunately the proximity to Hounslow has brought Asian brashness with cheap pile it high tat. However, there are now coffee shops, I remember my mother saying she would have liked to open a tea shop in the High Street for in the 1960s there was nowhere for tea.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... haven't been to the Local studies this week so will try and  
volunteer tomorrow. My get up and go has gone.

Find instructions and links to other daybooks at The Simple Woman

December morn

MONDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook: 6th December

Outside My Window ...a heavy frost. When we awoke about 6.40 it was green and brown outside; an hour later it was frosty, snowing very tiny icy flakes which have settled.

I am thinking ... that Adam will be 30 on Saturday, some how cannot believe that I have been a mother all that time. It is something that has not come naturally to me and I find very difficult even now.

I am thankful ... that Adam is not going to be deployed to Afghanistan. As ships are being decommissioned there will be enough regular RN personnel to go and do logistics rather than sending RN reserves. Good for a couple who have been married just 6 months yesterday.

Around the house ... we have had the tiles and all the surround to the fireplace removed in our front room/dining room. Yes, on one of the coldest days of the year. The surprise was how big the fireplace was once the tiles were removed, it would have taken one of those free standing stoves but it is too late to change as the new tiles have been fired. The chimney will be lined on Thursday and I'm not sure when the tiling and gas fire installation will happen.

A Picture Thought I Am Sharing ... 

I am wearing ... grey flannel wool trousers, pale blue polo neck, white quilted gilet and new  cosy slipper socks in pink, blue and white stripes. Two pairs for £7.00 in M&S, ok they are made from polyester but given my speed with sock knitting and price of pure wool they couldn't be bettered. The aim of the game is warm feet and according to Ian I have the coldest feet in Christendom.

I am creating ... still haven't completed pink jumper, but only a few more rows, cms, inches to complete.

I am going ... to Local history society tonight, subject to the weather. Health wise it is not good for me as my lungs are poor and the airways tighten up in the cold. Also worried about condition of the roads so will see nearer the time.

I am hoping ... I can somehow stop procrastinating. For example, for a few days we have had Whitton calendars to send abroad along with cards and in one case a letter. I don't know why but don't have the motivation strength of character to do it. We have the Christmas cards bought, I have listed recipients yet what has stopped me writing and sending them. I think it is because I worry my cards will not be suitable for the person concerned, or my words will not be adequate, interesting or funny enough. 

One distraction yesterday was my subscription renewal to Findmypast family history website so I was looking up family on 1911 census. Much more fun than card writing.

Another problem is sorting out, we need the study to be tidy as it can be a sitting room for us when Martha has friends here as well as being a bedroom when the futon is in use. I seem to have a blockage with clearing, chucking and putting away.

One of my favourite things ... watching the birds at the feeders. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... tomorrow, quiet day and meditation at St Michael's Convent. Have been before, very good but a chilly venue; Wednesday is MOD Librarian's Christmas lunch in town when meet with colleagues from my very early twenties; Thursday is knitting group at Mrs Moon's, wonder if they have the knit-pro circular sock needles in stock.

Well things to do, including sending pictures to the fireplace shop, washing machine to empty and reload, send off the calendars and write the cards, knit and soon some lunch. 

Would like to hear from my readers, otherwise it is like talking to myself.

Take care Friends, Madeleine

Find instructions and links to other daybooks at The Simple Woman

Visits

Just a few musings ...

went to meet friend P. yesterday at V & A with the intention of lunch and then viewing the Grace Kelly exhibition. Unfortunately we didn't buy our tickets for GK first so after a good lunch at the V & A café we found we couldn't go around the exhibition until nearly 6 o'clock which was far too late. P. has a lovely Border terrier to consider so instead we wandered around the museum and found other interesting things to see.

One area was supposed to be medieval but it was buildings and art. Took photographs of a building that had been rescued before demolition.


Main problem for us was trying to find a loo, they are not well signed and whilst did stumble on an exhibition near the National Art |Library of modern stuff, postwar designs and realised how quickly technology changes. I think this was the design side of modern technology but quite an overlap with the Science Museum.

Today has been an interesting day, managed to do gardening, I think the 'green gym' has done some good for I weeded and then planted the bulbs we had bought in Whitton High Street. A couple passing by remarked what pleasure they obtained from our sunflowers, I glowed with pleasure, the pressure I put on Ian to have these has been vindicated and he has agreed we add to the cottage garden effect by planting hollyhocks next year. Stuff that will grow above our 3' something wall is needed.

Apart from reading other blogs, especially those linked to Ravelry I have made two loaves of bread using the Taste of Health half-and-half loaf with slightly more wholemeal than white. Sneaky but healthy.

Very good sunset here, have not done it justice in this picture from back bedroom but you can see we look out on greenery. So good so near London, but then this is one of the greenest boroughs.

Must come away from here and iron, feel I need to use calories after a lovely, most delicious risotto cooked by daughter but humungous quantity.Maybe time for some knitting if ironing goes well, will listen to Last Night of the Proms whilst doing it. As I have been to a Last Night can recall the setting, I'm so lucky, we were right at the top of the Albert Hall, still promenading though.

Byeeee, Madeleine

Wednesday 28th April - my late Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... Hazy sunshine, bit breezy but the blossom on all the trees is so magnificent.

I am thinking... how I managed to get up at 5. 15 am this morning to help Ian leave at 6am to drive north to Hertfordshire where he is working on building wardrobes, storage units and decorating our daughter-in-law-to be's home.

I am thankful for... feeling better and hoping the pain from the damaged limit will go so my right thigh no longer feels like a heavy weight as I walk.

From the learning rooms... Just Ian will be working on his next TMA for his OU maths course.

From the kitchen... Not much happening there, just some drying up but will soon be preparing a lunch for myself.

I am thankful for...finding an outfit from CC (originally Country Casuals) for son's wedding in June. Just the hat and footwear to find now.

.I am wearing... M & S black trousers and striped blouse from Thomas Pink. Really need a jumper or cardigan on too.

I am going... to meeting of Breathe Easy, a support group of British Lung Foundation. (I suffer from asthma & bronchiectasis - and I'm a lifetime non smoker)

I am reading... Susan Hill's latest Simon Serailler crime novel called "The shadows in the street"

I am hoping... to fit in climbing Mount Ironmore.

I am hearing... an aircraft flying over. The peace and clean air was so good when Heathrow airport was closed. I do have sympathy for travellers but there is a silver lining to every disaster.

Around the house... silence, apart from a ticking clock.

One of my favourite things... having the house to myself for once.

A few plans for the rest of the week: voluntary work at the local studies library, no particular plans for the Bank Holiday weekend.

 Here is a picture for thought I am sharing. This is our local suburban High Street where last Saturday our patron saint's day, St. George's day was celebrated with a procession, the street was closed to cars and there were charity stalls, food and drink and children's activities. The community has been trying to be noticed, we are a neglected part of the borough as we don't have celebrities living here and most of the properties are 1930s rather than fashionable Georgian and Victorian piles. However, the properties are good sizes, more realistic prices and there are many professional residents here who appreciate the good train service into London, the village atmosphere, the personal service in the local shops and good primary schools

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

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