Evening All,
I've come home this evening to the dreaded email from British Gas asking me to submit my gas and electricity readings - we've been careful with the usage especially the gas due to the price rises and by my reckoning I shouldn't be in debit but will have very little credit left on the account - Thank goodness it's not been too bad a winter so far ( those could really be famous last words!).
But we have used the log burner a lot more and may only just scrape through the winter with the logs we have left but if it does turn colder in the next few weeks, we will need an extra half load of logs.
Sounds daft but I don't mind paying for a delivery of logs - at least you know what you're getting and at what price whereas with the gas and electricity bills who knows!!
Can I just respond to some comments that were recently left
Never Too Old - You could try advertising on Freecycle for another freezer - that's where I got my last one from and it works brilliantly - yes we do grow our own veg, we had half an allotment for the last 2 years but in the summer last year we managed to get the other half so we now have a full allotment. My hubby, son and daughter in law do all the digging, weeding and planting out up there - I'm more the 'support services' colleague so the greenhouses and starting off the seeds are my responsibility - it does help and saves a lot of money by having it.
Anne - I agree, I would love an old walk in pantry with bright white painted shelves and a cold slab
PattyPan - I have always thought that you must have had a country background from your posts, which I have always enjoyed reading. I have followed some of your recipes and enjoyed them too. I like to read about your visits to the fruit and veg shop and the butchers - we just don't have 'proper' shops like those around here - I have to travel to say Bridgenorth which is about 8 miles away to find anything similar, a 16 mile round trip then makes the produce even more expensive. The butchers I use is back where I used to live a 20 mile journey so that's why I buy in bulk and freeze. I think we ladies who like to shop sensible, cook and preserve 'proper' food, provide filling healthy meals and enjoy homemaking and crafts are now really something special in this day and age.
Anne - Your saying is much better than Kippers and Curtains - I shall not be able to look at anyone in a fur coat without smiling to myself! I understand what you say with regard to the heating too. I hope your Mum will soon be feeling better - I enjoy reading about your days out together.
Scarlet - You can't believe how some people will live can you? - just to be able to say that they have a fancy posh address - Like you - I've always said to my children, no matter whatever happens in life there will always be a a roof here for them with a warm bed and food on the table - if I can't help them with anything else, there will always be that.
Kath - Nice to hear from you again
Oh well, time to make a move - I hope you all have a good week xxx
About Me
- Trudie
- I'm 57 years old, working full time, wife, mother and grand mother, wishing that I wasn't working full time! I love and enjoy our children and grandchildren, our dogs and cat, our garden and allotment. I love crafts - knitting, sewing, crocheting, patchwork and restoring old furniture. I love to go to country auctions and love thinking that I've got my self a bargain!
Monday, 23 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Kippers and Curtains!
Afternoon All,
Talking yesterday of achievements and blessings - I know mine are only small in the grand scheme of things but it's been a lot of hard work - but as my Nan always said 'Hard work never hurt anyone'!
I've been reading a lot of posts where bloggers have been having a no spend or low spend January. Whereby they've been using up all the contents of their larders and freezers, rather than go shopping. I have to say that I am in absolute awe of them and that they have my admiration.
When I got married the first time round 35 years ago - on the morning of the wedding my Dad said to me, make sure you always keep a roof over your head, a fire in the grate and food in the cupboard and I must have really been listening to that piece of advice. (I only wished I'd listened to my Mom when she said "don't marry him - he's not good enough for you" - she was right!!)
Because no matter how tight money has been - that is what I've done - the mortgage was always paid and dead on time and the house has always been kept warm. The other thing I've always done is keep a full cupboard and freezer. My children joke that we could all live off my food cupboards for a couple of months without having to go shopping.
I currently have a 3 full cupboards of dried and tinned items, 2 shelves of home made preserves and 4 freezers full of food. one has all the meat in it, one has all the veg's still left from the allotment harvest from last summer, and then 2 full of fish, pies etc.,
I can't help it - I hate to see a half empty food cupboard - I would feel like I'd let myself down if I went to the cupboard for something and it wasn't there. It's like an automatic response, if something comes out one week it's replaced at the end of the next. (there is always at least 2 of everything!)
I always remember when I moved into my last house, the neighbours appeared to be dead posh, they were always dressed up to the nines, in their Sunday best, but didn't drive (driving a car has always meant independence to me) and I remember one year we had a really bad snow fall one Friday night and we got up to a good couple of feet of snow - it didn't bother me, I didn't have to go shopping as I knew that there was more than enough food in the cupboard and freezer to keep us going for a good couple of weeks.
But lo and behold, there were the posh neighbours struggling out and having to walk into town as the buses weren't running, to go and get the weeks shopping and we watched them a couple of hours later struggling back, loaded up with bags of shopping and I found it really hard to believe that they'd had to go out and do the shopping because they'd got nothing left to fall back on!
When I got to know them better, I found out that this was how they lived - to them it was more important to be seen in their Sunday best or to have the very best furnishings for the house but there was never any food in the cupboard! (or a car on the drive!)
Also no matter what, I managed to get my children away for a weeks holiday each year - it may have only been a little old caravan holiday in North Wales, for a week, which we got to in the oldest of noisy cars - but they always knew what it was like to paddle in the sea, make sand castles, fly kites, run up and down the beach and catch crabs with a crab line and a piece of bacon fat off Barmouth harbour. Their poor little girl didn't see the sea till she was 11!
As my present hubby would say they were all 'kippers and curtains ' (an old old saying means that that they had curtains up the windows but only kippers for tea!)
So to all you ladies who have done the low spend January challenge - well done! it's something that I would really really struggle to do and you have my utmost admiration (will you all be out in February putting it all back in, to fill the cupboards ?)
Have a good week - Byee.
Talking yesterday of achievements and blessings - I know mine are only small in the grand scheme of things but it's been a lot of hard work - but as my Nan always said 'Hard work never hurt anyone'!
I've been reading a lot of posts where bloggers have been having a no spend or low spend January. Whereby they've been using up all the contents of their larders and freezers, rather than go shopping. I have to say that I am in absolute awe of them and that they have my admiration.
When I got married the first time round 35 years ago - on the morning of the wedding my Dad said to me, make sure you always keep a roof over your head, a fire in the grate and food in the cupboard and I must have really been listening to that piece of advice. (I only wished I'd listened to my Mom when she said "don't marry him - he's not good enough for you" - she was right!!)
Because no matter how tight money has been - that is what I've done - the mortgage was always paid and dead on time and the house has always been kept warm. The other thing I've always done is keep a full cupboard and freezer. My children joke that we could all live off my food cupboards for a couple of months without having to go shopping.
I currently have a 3 full cupboards of dried and tinned items, 2 shelves of home made preserves and 4 freezers full of food. one has all the meat in it, one has all the veg's still left from the allotment harvest from last summer, and then 2 full of fish, pies etc.,
I can't help it - I hate to see a half empty food cupboard - I would feel like I'd let myself down if I went to the cupboard for something and it wasn't there. It's like an automatic response, if something comes out one week it's replaced at the end of the next. (there is always at least 2 of everything!)
I always remember when I moved into my last house, the neighbours appeared to be dead posh, they were always dressed up to the nines, in their Sunday best, but didn't drive (driving a car has always meant independence to me) and I remember one year we had a really bad snow fall one Friday night and we got up to a good couple of feet of snow - it didn't bother me, I didn't have to go shopping as I knew that there was more than enough food in the cupboard and freezer to keep us going for a good couple of weeks.
But lo and behold, there were the posh neighbours struggling out and having to walk into town as the buses weren't running, to go and get the weeks shopping and we watched them a couple of hours later struggling back, loaded up with bags of shopping and I found it really hard to believe that they'd had to go out and do the shopping because they'd got nothing left to fall back on!
When I got to know them better, I found out that this was how they lived - to them it was more important to be seen in their Sunday best or to have the very best furnishings for the house but there was never any food in the cupboard! (or a car on the drive!)
Also no matter what, I managed to get my children away for a weeks holiday each year - it may have only been a little old caravan holiday in North Wales, for a week, which we got to in the oldest of noisy cars - but they always knew what it was like to paddle in the sea, make sand castles, fly kites, run up and down the beach and catch crabs with a crab line and a piece of bacon fat off Barmouth harbour. Their poor little girl didn't see the sea till she was 11!
As my present hubby would say they were all 'kippers and curtains ' (an old old saying means that that they had curtains up the windows but only kippers for tea!)
So to all you ladies who have done the low spend January challenge - well done! it's something that I would really really struggle to do and you have my utmost admiration (will you all be out in February putting it all back in, to fill the cupboards ?)
Have a good week - Byee.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Counting my blessings.......
Afternoon All,
Happy New Year and hope you are all fit and well, life soon returns to normal doesn't it? I've been back on that treadmill, up and down the motorway each day, with what it seems like less time to spare than ever.
Ten years ago we used to have a caravan at Montgomery which we went to every weekend when we could, I still worked full time and all 3 of my children (although grown up) were still at home, I still managed to do all the housework, cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and the garden and I still had time to go to the van - Now I still work full time there are only 2 of us at home in the week and 3 of us at weekends and I manage all the housework, cooking, washing , cleaning, ironing and gardening and then nothing much else! where does the time go to? Is the world moving ever faster or am I moving ever slower?!!
I get in the car every morning and go down the motorway every day thinking 'lifes not fair - I want to be at home doing my crafts, in the garden and having a nice easy life' then I get to work and the madness takes over, and I suppose I do enjoy my job - then after a busy day, I then come back up the motorway, counting my blessings, thinking well at least I do have a job, which is a lot more than what a lot of people have, I live in a lovely little house that I own, with good neighbours, I can pay my bills, I can keep warm and eat good plain food and most important of all, I earn my own money.
I've worked and earned my own cash since my daughter was 5 years old - she's 30 now, there have been times, when I was left a single mom and had a mortgage to pay that I worked at 3 jobs - I did the council job during the day, then on some nights I worked in the cash boxes at the local illuminations and on the nights I didn't do that I worked behind a bar serving drinks.
But by doing this, it was my money that was paying for everything - I even managed to buy 2 brand news cars by doing this. (Strangely something I can't afford to do at the moment!) I've also paid into my own pension for the last 22 years. So although I go down the motorway each morning wishing I didn't have to - I do appreciate and realise all the good things in life that it gives me. (Although I shall still go down the motorway on Monday morning thinking - 'wish I didn't have to do this')
My Nan always used to say that a woman should have her own bit of money put away somewhere for a rainy day and emergencies - there have been times when that little bit has come in handy - even now, I still do keep a little bit on one side, it helps to pay for birthdays, Christmas and other things.
Talking of paying for things - take my advise, never never buy a Citroen car - every January something goes wrong with our C3 and you can guarantee that it will cost us a pretty packet and yes yet again it has happened - this time it has been the clutch and gear box bearing that decided it wasn't going to work - so we have started January off £400.00 worse off than we were at the end of December, which has given a knock to the savings.
We've decided that again this year we won't have a holiday - we need to carpet the conservatory, due to the way it was constructed (we live on a slope going downwards and sidewards) it is built onto constructed walls with concrete grandfathers (beams) across the breadth of it and whilst we have 2 large radiators in here, (we put on the largest conservatory we could, without planning permission) the cold comes up through your feet and then slowly up to the knees if you're in here for any length of time, (I had to tell the family to wear thick socks when they came for Xmas dinner!) and we know that carpet will cost us £500.00+
I also want to purchase a decent T.V, for in here (it's a large conservatory with 2 large sofas as well as a dinning room table for 6) - we both love to sit in here in the summer and it will mean that the room gets more use, plus the garden and allotment are on going and I also want to paint the inside of the summer house this year - and there is only so much that we can do at a time.
The curtain that I made for the front lounge way back in September has come in very handy especially whilst we've been having these strong winds which seem to find every little nook and cranny to come through.
Oh well time to go and get ready - on baby sitting duties tonight - Hope you all have a good week.
Byeee
Happy New Year and hope you are all fit and well, life soon returns to normal doesn't it? I've been back on that treadmill, up and down the motorway each day, with what it seems like less time to spare than ever.
Ten years ago we used to have a caravan at Montgomery which we went to every weekend when we could, I still worked full time and all 3 of my children (although grown up) were still at home, I still managed to do all the housework, cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and the garden and I still had time to go to the van - Now I still work full time there are only 2 of us at home in the week and 3 of us at weekends and I manage all the housework, cooking, washing , cleaning, ironing and gardening and then nothing much else! where does the time go to? Is the world moving ever faster or am I moving ever slower?!!
I get in the car every morning and go down the motorway every day thinking 'lifes not fair - I want to be at home doing my crafts, in the garden and having a nice easy life' then I get to work and the madness takes over, and I suppose I do enjoy my job - then after a busy day, I then come back up the motorway, counting my blessings, thinking well at least I do have a job, which is a lot more than what a lot of people have, I live in a lovely little house that I own, with good neighbours, I can pay my bills, I can keep warm and eat good plain food and most important of all, I earn my own money.
I've worked and earned my own cash since my daughter was 5 years old - she's 30 now, there have been times, when I was left a single mom and had a mortgage to pay that I worked at 3 jobs - I did the council job during the day, then on some nights I worked in the cash boxes at the local illuminations and on the nights I didn't do that I worked behind a bar serving drinks.
But by doing this, it was my money that was paying for everything - I even managed to buy 2 brand news cars by doing this. (Strangely something I can't afford to do at the moment!) I've also paid into my own pension for the last 22 years. So although I go down the motorway each morning wishing I didn't have to - I do appreciate and realise all the good things in life that it gives me. (Although I shall still go down the motorway on Monday morning thinking - 'wish I didn't have to do this')
My Nan always used to say that a woman should have her own bit of money put away somewhere for a rainy day and emergencies - there have been times when that little bit has come in handy - even now, I still do keep a little bit on one side, it helps to pay for birthdays, Christmas and other things.
Talking of paying for things - take my advise, never never buy a Citroen car - every January something goes wrong with our C3 and you can guarantee that it will cost us a pretty packet and yes yet again it has happened - this time it has been the clutch and gear box bearing that decided it wasn't going to work - so we have started January off £400.00 worse off than we were at the end of December, which has given a knock to the savings.
We've decided that again this year we won't have a holiday - we need to carpet the conservatory, due to the way it was constructed (we live on a slope going downwards and sidewards) it is built onto constructed walls with concrete grandfathers (beams) across the breadth of it and whilst we have 2 large radiators in here, (we put on the largest conservatory we could, without planning permission) the cold comes up through your feet and then slowly up to the knees if you're in here for any length of time, (I had to tell the family to wear thick socks when they came for Xmas dinner!) and we know that carpet will cost us £500.00+
I also want to purchase a decent T.V, for in here (it's a large conservatory with 2 large sofas as well as a dinning room table for 6) - we both love to sit in here in the summer and it will mean that the room gets more use, plus the garden and allotment are on going and I also want to paint the inside of the summer house this year - and there is only so much that we can do at a time.
The curtain that I made for the front lounge way back in September has come in very handy especially whilst we've been having these strong winds which seem to find every little nook and cranny to come through.
Oh well time to go and get ready - on baby sitting duties tonight - Hope you all have a good week.
Byeee
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Happy New Year
Afternoon All,
Miss Piggy Bank - Nice to hear from you - I agree, can't wait for the next series of Downton.
Jane and Chris - I agree with you completely - I look at what other people are putting through the check-out when I go shopping and think why are you paying that much for that rubbish! It's far better to cook from scratch and tastes far better.
Anne - Glad you think that it's a good idea -I've already done my 4 quarterly lists and have been and brought my birthday and anniversary cards for the next 3 months - it's not that I'm that organised - it's just that by writing my lists I stand a reasonable chance of remembering everyone's birthday. (Couldn't live without my lists now- at a funny age and all that!!!)
Kath - Thanks, good idea - I will one day
How are you all - all ready to welcome in the new year? I think I'm as ready as I can be - we shall just have a quiet night here and tomorrow will be spent cleaning the house through and taking the Xmas trees down. I know that they should be left up till twelfth night but I start back on the treadmill (back to work and the commuting) on Tuesday and as with all holidays I like to go back to work knowing that I've left the house all clean and tidy.
Have you made any New Year Resolutions? I haven't - I think that the word 'resolution' just sets me up to fail (it's a strong word isn't it?) so I shall 'endeavour' to make a few changes - then if I fail I can always start endeavouring again can't I?! I won't have broke or failed a 'resolution'!
One endeavour that is always ongoing is to get the garden and allotment 'just right' - will it ever happen - I don't know - I just know that I do enjoy trying each year. Let's hope that the weather is kinder to us in 2012 and I can grow all the vegetables that we and the family need.
I do want to get the conservatory decorated and the summer house painted inside and all the decking re stained. The stain is so expensive isn't it? (That's another endeavour, just shot down in flames - I was going to say, try to not spend so much!)
Finally as per usual - loose some weight!! I know that all I've got to do is eat less and move more - just easier said than done in my case!
I hope 2012 is a better year for everyone and that we all have a happy, healthy, (especially my Mom and Daughter in Law after all the problems they've both had recently) and comfortable 2012
Best Wishes to All
Byeee
Miss Piggy Bank - Nice to hear from you - I agree, can't wait for the next series of Downton.
Jane and Chris - I agree with you completely - I look at what other people are putting through the check-out when I go shopping and think why are you paying that much for that rubbish! It's far better to cook from scratch and tastes far better.
Anne - Glad you think that it's a good idea -I've already done my 4 quarterly lists and have been and brought my birthday and anniversary cards for the next 3 months - it's not that I'm that organised - it's just that by writing my lists I stand a reasonable chance of remembering everyone's birthday. (Couldn't live without my lists now- at a funny age and all that!!!)
Kath - Thanks, good idea - I will one day
How are you all - all ready to welcome in the new year? I think I'm as ready as I can be - we shall just have a quiet night here and tomorrow will be spent cleaning the house through and taking the Xmas trees down. I know that they should be left up till twelfth night but I start back on the treadmill (back to work and the commuting) on Tuesday and as with all holidays I like to go back to work knowing that I've left the house all clean and tidy.
Have you made any New Year Resolutions? I haven't - I think that the word 'resolution' just sets me up to fail (it's a strong word isn't it?) so I shall 'endeavour' to make a few changes - then if I fail I can always start endeavouring again can't I?! I won't have broke or failed a 'resolution'!
One endeavour that is always ongoing is to get the garden and allotment 'just right' - will it ever happen - I don't know - I just know that I do enjoy trying each year. Let's hope that the weather is kinder to us in 2012 and I can grow all the vegetables that we and the family need.
I do want to get the conservatory decorated and the summer house painted inside and all the decking re stained. The stain is so expensive isn't it? (That's another endeavour, just shot down in flames - I was going to say, try to not spend so much!)
Finally as per usual - loose some weight!! I know that all I've got to do is eat less and move more - just easier said than done in my case!
I hope 2012 is a better year for everyone and that we all have a happy, healthy, (especially my Mom and Daughter in Law after all the problems they've both had recently) and comfortable 2012
Best Wishes to All
Byeee
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Catching Up............
Afternoon All,
I hope that you've all had a Happy Christmas and are ready to welcome in the new year in a few days time.
Anne and Jill - thank you for your messages and I hope that you both had a good Christmas too.
We had a lovely time - if what a little busy, I raced over to see my 2 young Granddaughters on Xmas morning and then raced back (literally - I was driving my son's car - I don't think he realised that it could go that fast!) to get the roasters in for lunch, we had 7 to dinner and everyone said that they enjoyed the meal.
My Dad enjoyed it, as this is the first meal that he hasn't had to cook since my Mom broke her wrist and he didn't have to wash up afterwards! I also managed to make a Dundee Cake for the first time, on Xmas Eve, which also got the seal of approval from my Dad.
My Daughter in Law managed to eat her dinner as well. (we didn't realise that the ear operation would affect how she could eat - all the side of her face and jaw have been painful plus the dizziness made her feel sick - poor girl) But she managed to sit with us and had a good lunch and she said she felt much better for having something good to eat. I'm a big believer in that, after any sort of illness or operation - that you need good wholesome food to sustain your recovery, so I was pleased to see her managing to eat.
(I'm afraid that I don't really 'do' or believe in all these 'convienience' foods - it never tastes like a proper meal and it worries me what chemicals they have put in it, to make it so easy to cook and to make it last so long.)
Did you have any gifts that you've thought "what on earth do I do with that" - I've been very lucky and everything we're received has been perfect and will be put to good use. But I have felt a little disappointed with a few friends who I've sent gifts and presents for, but haven't even received a card back from them. I can appreciate that times are hard and it has been difficult for some families, but a thought and message in a card doesn't cost that much. It will be interesting to see whether these same people will be sending thank you cards - I doubt it - but there, you live and learn.
We went to my Daughter's for tea yesterday which was nice and then I have spent today doing the bills for this month and setting all my folders up ready for the next 12 months - so that I know what has got to be paid each month and when.
I suppose if I was a whizz with the computer I could set it all out on a data base but I know my limitations and I much prefer to put it all down on paper and know what I'm doing! I now know what bills I'm going to be paying and when along with what I'm going to be overpaying on and how much I can save each month. It's a nice way to start the year - with a clean slate and knowing where you stand.
My son tells me that the town was very busy today with people out shopping in the sales, I won't be bothering - this little old house has too much in it as it is and is bursting at the seams and there's nothing I can think of that I want - so can't see the point in going out- I would rather stay here in the warmth!!
Tomorrow is my day for the diaries and calendars - birthdays, special occasions, anniversaries etc., all get transferred from last years diary to this years. I try to buy the birthday and anniversary cards for each 3 months in advance and put the money away for any gifts at the same time. I find that it's a good system for when I'm really busy at work and don't have a lot of time to spare.
What about Downton Abbey ladies? A happy ending at last but poor Mr Bates is still in prison - lets hope that they get him out in the next series!
That's about all for now - have a good evening
Byeee
I hope that you've all had a Happy Christmas and are ready to welcome in the new year in a few days time.
Anne and Jill - thank you for your messages and I hope that you both had a good Christmas too.
We had a lovely time - if what a little busy, I raced over to see my 2 young Granddaughters on Xmas morning and then raced back (literally - I was driving my son's car - I don't think he realised that it could go that fast!) to get the roasters in for lunch, we had 7 to dinner and everyone said that they enjoyed the meal.
My Dad enjoyed it, as this is the first meal that he hasn't had to cook since my Mom broke her wrist and he didn't have to wash up afterwards! I also managed to make a Dundee Cake for the first time, on Xmas Eve, which also got the seal of approval from my Dad.
My Daughter in Law managed to eat her dinner as well. (we didn't realise that the ear operation would affect how she could eat - all the side of her face and jaw have been painful plus the dizziness made her feel sick - poor girl) But she managed to sit with us and had a good lunch and she said she felt much better for having something good to eat. I'm a big believer in that, after any sort of illness or operation - that you need good wholesome food to sustain your recovery, so I was pleased to see her managing to eat.
(I'm afraid that I don't really 'do' or believe in all these 'convienience' foods - it never tastes like a proper meal and it worries me what chemicals they have put in it, to make it so easy to cook and to make it last so long.)
Did you have any gifts that you've thought "what on earth do I do with that" - I've been very lucky and everything we're received has been perfect and will be put to good use. But I have felt a little disappointed with a few friends who I've sent gifts and presents for, but haven't even received a card back from them. I can appreciate that times are hard and it has been difficult for some families, but a thought and message in a card doesn't cost that much. It will be interesting to see whether these same people will be sending thank you cards - I doubt it - but there, you live and learn.
We went to my Daughter's for tea yesterday which was nice and then I have spent today doing the bills for this month and setting all my folders up ready for the next 12 months - so that I know what has got to be paid each month and when.
I suppose if I was a whizz with the computer I could set it all out on a data base but I know my limitations and I much prefer to put it all down on paper and know what I'm doing! I now know what bills I'm going to be paying and when along with what I'm going to be overpaying on and how much I can save each month. It's a nice way to start the year - with a clean slate and knowing where you stand.
My son tells me that the town was very busy today with people out shopping in the sales, I won't be bothering - this little old house has too much in it as it is and is bursting at the seams and there's nothing I can think of that I want - so can't see the point in going out- I would rather stay here in the warmth!!
Tomorrow is my day for the diaries and calendars - birthdays, special occasions, anniversaries etc., all get transferred from last years diary to this years. I try to buy the birthday and anniversary cards for each 3 months in advance and put the money away for any gifts at the same time. I find that it's a good system for when I'm really busy at work and don't have a lot of time to spare.
What about Downton Abbey ladies? A happy ending at last but poor Mr Bates is still in prison - lets hope that they get him out in the next series!
That's about all for now - have a good evening
Byeee
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Merry Christmas Everyone
Merry Christmas to All
Well, the 3 Christmas trees and the house have been decorated, ready for Christmas, the cards written and posted, the presents brought wrapped and distributed, the food shopping done and the house cleaned from top to bottom, the pantomime was brilliant oh and we've had 2 members of the family in hospital, my Daughter in Law for an operation on her ear, (only a few days ago so balance is not good!) and my Mom, courtesy of Mr Marks and Mr Spencers for leaving boxes out for her to fall over and break her wrist. (Shrewsbury branch so be careful if out shopping there, in the sales - they appear to have very little regard for their customers safety!).
No wonder I haven't had time to post, service will be resumed in a few days time (she says hopefully!)
That just leaves me to just say Merry Christmas everyone - I hope it's a good, peaceful and happy one for you
Best Wishes xxx
Well, the 3 Christmas trees and the house have been decorated, ready for Christmas, the cards written and posted, the presents brought wrapped and distributed, the food shopping done and the house cleaned from top to bottom, the pantomime was brilliant oh and we've had 2 members of the family in hospital, my Daughter in Law for an operation on her ear, (only a few days ago so balance is not good!) and my Mom, courtesy of Mr Marks and Mr Spencers for leaving boxes out for her to fall over and break her wrist. (Shrewsbury branch so be careful if out shopping there, in the sales - they appear to have very little regard for their customers safety!).
No wonder I haven't had time to post, service will be resumed in a few days time (she says hopefully!)
That just leaves me to just say Merry Christmas everyone - I hope it's a good, peaceful and happy one for you
Best Wishes xxx
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Our 'Sid'............
Afternoon All,
How are you all?................ All ready for Halloween?............... Aye Aye Captain reached 78 'I's' before I lost count and that was just after lunch so I reckon I wasn't that far out at all.
As it is close to Halloween, I thought I'd tell you a little about our resident spirit, Sid. This house is 150 years old and these old 4 walls will have seen some births and deaths over those years.
When we moved here 8 years ago it was to escape and get away from my first husband (who still doesn't know where we are), we moved 25 miles away from where I'd grown up and from where I work hence our commute up and down the motorway every day.
When we brought the house, it belonged to a 'new age couple' who had painted the rooms in some very modern loud garish colours. So 2 days after we moved in we spent £300.00 on paint and set to with the paint brushes and rollers. Three weeks later it looked like a 'proper' home. But each time we finished a room we'd have a spell of the lights flickering on and off, in that particular room. My hubby checked the electrics, but could never find any reason why for it.
As this house is very similar to my Nan and Grand Dad's house from when I was little and the fact that we moved here 2 years to the day after my Grand Dad passed away and that the street we moved to has his christian name as our street name - I used to say 'Oh it's my Grand Dad just saying it looks better!' jokingly.
But 2 months after moving in I went to see a spiritualist who said to me "You know you have a spirit in that house" - "It's someone who lived there a long time ago and someone who loved that house - he planted something red in the garden" and I said " I've joked that it was my Grand Dad" and she said "No it's someone who loved his home and he's so pleased that you've put it right now and it's looking like it should".
I came home and searched the garden and couldn't find anything red until the winter took over - there was an over large bush in the garden, which was a dogwood and when it had lost it's leaves the stems turned a bright red!!! - I'd found what he'd planted.........
There would have been a black leaded fire grate in the kitchen, which someone removed (what a shame) we have a log burner there now and in the corner there I have a comfy chair, everyone who comes into the house always seem to make a beeline for this chair - I love sitting there, there's such a feeling of peace and contentment in that corner and I wonder if this is where 'Sid' (that's what we decided to call him) used to sit.
The lights stopped flickering a long time ago, now Sid's party trick is to turn the TV on for about a minute and then off again. My brother came to our house a couple of years ago and we were all (the family) sitting in that room and we were telling him about the T.V. going on and then going off - he said "No I don't believe it" a couple of moments later, the T.V. went on and then off............... there was a sharp intake of breath all around the room and I said to him "Now do you believe it?"
But despite this I never feel scared - I'm sure that Sid knows that we love this house as much as he did and we all live in harmony. I was on my own and cooking some Apple Chutney a few weeks ago and wasn't sure whether it was done and must have spoken out loud as to whether it needed any longer......the T.V. went on then it went off, so I just said I'll take it that it's cooked then Sid and turned the jam pot off!!
So there we go.......... Sid the Spirit......... Happy Halloween and have a good week
Byeeee
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