Anniversary

A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions.

We are celebrating 15 years of marriage - our crystal anniversary, these roses are colours of our wedding.  Lovely memories of a wonderful day with my new husband, family, friends and ice-cream.

Buzzing

Hello, 

Wow what an exciting day! Firstly had a visit from Martha and her mum Emma.  This visit was to measure Martha for a new tutu.  Then I had a visit from Phoebe and Lily and their Nanny.  The girls want to learn to sew - so two new ‘little people’ students.  Then Nic - who had messaged me during the night a week ago.  I just happened to be awake, so we discussed all about dressmaking lessons and she came to her first lesson this evening.  I had another lady; Gina who has paid, to confirm her dressmaking.  Plus I am just emailing a lady about machine quilting.  And I have yet to upload my new programme for September 2018.  Exciting times ....

www.sewingandcraftschool.co.uk

Small Achievements

A tired day - the change in weather pressure makes my breathing hard going - so today was all about pacing myself in a slow comfortable way.  But that hasn’t stopped me from smiling ...

What was a very good start, I have some very pretty silver bracelets but have not been able to wear them for over a year as my body has been so fat and bloated from all the high amounts of steroids I have been taking but due to being able to reduce the high dosage.  I have lost some weight and bloating.  I was so pleased when they fitted this morning.

I was teaching dressmaking this morning, even though it was hard to get out of bed, I do so love teaching, the conversation and company.  I LOVE my job!  After the lesson had finished I set about overlocking all the seams I had tacked on a black dress I am making.  I had cut this dress out last week and then was informed that black wasn't being worn but there seems to have been a change of mind.  So I need to crack on with getting the dress made.

This afternoon, when the tiredness really kicked in, I sat in the lounge and continued crocheting my Cupcake Blanket, designed by Lucy at Attic24.  I have crocheted 30 stripes, 60 rows pretty rows.  A third of the blanket, not including the border.  I am loving the colours.

And my final little achievement of the day; every other month I have a little book called ‘Inspiring Women’ delivered to my home.  It is bible study notes, written by women for women.  I have used these little books for quite a number of years and find most of the monthly courses just as it is titled inspiring.  However, when  the July/August edition arrived, I filed it in a very safe place and have subsequently missed a whole month of study.  But I made a concerted effort to look for the book this morning and I was so chuffed when I found it in the middle of lots of sewing ‘stuff’!  Tomorrow is the first of the month and I can start a fresh.

Lots of little things that have made me smile today.  What has made you smile?

Take care of yourselves xx

Lots of emotion

Well that month disappeared - puff and it was gone!  We have had three very poorly people all being admitted into hospital, 3 different hospitals too.  It has been horrid and scary and also very sad.  We have a funeral to attend on Friday; with a wake and flowers and chats to the priest, life has been slightly more busy than usual.  The coming together as a family, supporting each other and generally being there for each other has got us through.  It hasn’t all been sad - when there is a six month old grandson to entertain - living has to go on and what a gem he is 💙

We have had more cherries than ever before and even better, we managed to beat picking them before our resident blackbird got them!  They taste wonderful - these little things help to make us smile too.

Sleeping Ski

Yesterday’s full moon ... beautiful ...

A busy day today!  Hannah has all been clipped and groomed - she will feel so much more comfortable, now that she has had lots of fur chopped off.  I tried to bribe her with (dog) biscuits, so that she would let me take a lovely photo of her all clean and pretty.  The clever girl kept taking the biscuits and disappearing - I will try again tomorrow.

Next, I had an appointment at The Great Western Hospital with an oral consultant, a new one to me.  Mr Allen who was such a lovely man, retired a few months ago, so this must be one of his replacements.  He was very nice and very informative and answered some questions that I was much braver this time to ask about.  I have to go back in 4 months, which was a bit of a surprise but I am aware my mouth feels very sore to my tongue but thankfully because of the steroids I take, I cant actually feel much.

Poppy, is my chauffeur today!  We then zoomed between J15 - J16 of the M4, to collected Hannah from the groomers.  We also bought dog food and cat litter, a very important combo.

We then dropped Hannah off at home and went back to Wyevale, which is where the pet shop and groomers is based.  I wanted to go to the quilting shop - oh my goodness I fell in LOVE with two lots of fat quarters.  I have forgotten to take photos and I am up stairs in bed now - so I will take some pictures tomorrow.

Then we dropped into Barclays Bank, I had £44.00 of old £10, £5 notes and £4 worth of old pound coins, which got paid into my bank account - which helped to go towards all the fabric I had just purchased!!

Then the treat of the day, Poppy drove us to Old Town (Swindon) to the Baguette Bar, where we both a very scrumptious coronation chicken and tomato baguette each,

Home to eat our lunch and then we sat down and watched the first episode of the second series of The Handmaiden Tales drama on I have recorded.

At this point Poppy went off to work and I got equipment and techniques ready to teach.

A bit of a full on day for me - extremely tired but not quite in the same amount of pain having had 10ml of morphine!!

A very tired but chilled Ski ...

This made my day

Our local Parish Council has a Facebook presence.  Yesterday I noticed a post; asking for submissions of photographs, so that the parish council administration team could up date the Facebook cover photo.  A very serious and incredibly talented photographer submitted two very good photos.  One I thought was maybe a little bit busy but the other photo I believed was spot on.  However, I decided to chance my luck!  My photo was taken on my phone, while Noel was driving at approximately 50 mph along the A4361. We had come up the hill and out of the village, travelling towards Avebury, just past the Broad Hinton turn off - when the yellow of the Rape Seed Oil fields just ‘sung’ out against the hazy blue sky.  And yes you have guessed correctly my photo was picked.  It will be upload tomorrow, while also giving me the credit.  Now - picture me with the biggest smile possible.  

Down Hill Racing!

It has been a warm day and we are due to have a warm week.  It is lovely except we just aren’t given the time to get adjusted to the heat before it all changes again!  However, lets make hay while the sun shines - as they say.

And talking of hay or probley better to say crops - we have a new crop circle.

And the down hill racing - well it definitely is not me!!  This is my son; Toby racing at Bala, Wales over the weekend.  He has been doing all sorts of cycling; mountain bike, down hill, road racing since his teenage years.  If I am well enough, Noel and I are going to try and watch him race this weekend near Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.

Enjoy the sunshine and remember to look after yourselves in this weather xx