sunday

Today has been quite a pleasant day. The weather is lovely - the sun is shining but there is an autumnal nip in the air. I love autumn days like this, especially in the Lake District, though it's rather nice here where we live.
I'm sitting with my feet up with a little spaniel sleeping at my feet. He's been in my bad books recently as he chewed a hole in our brand new carpet - I think it was payback for having been in the kennels. Then this morning he chewed up and swallowed one of my earrings. Add this to 1 ruined duvet, 2 pairs of sandals and various cloths, this pup is proving expensive. All is not bad though. he did very well at his puppy class and has 'graduated' from his second class.He has learned a lot and I have to keep reminding myself that he's only a pup.
I'm quite pleased that I have remembered to write this blog even though I have nothing much to say. Watch this space!!

hello again! ....

I have just been reminded by a friend that I haven't written my blog since April. I'm not surprised as things have been a bit hectic since then. We have had a lot of problems with the house which means we have a new carpet, curtains and chairs. We had a couple of our chairs recovered and we're still waiting for them. In the meantime , we have had to decorate downstairs which means the hall and stairs look as though they need painting too - it just goes on. In all this time Kevin has been recovering from his knee injury and our little pup has been making his presence known. Kev is doing well but needs another operation and the pup has been neutered.
September sees the launch of the Centenary of girlguiding, so there have been lots of planning meetings and celebrations to sort out. Our County had a day in one of Greater manchester's biggest parks where 8000+ girls enjoyed all sorts of activities and shows. It was excellent! The saturday afterwards I had organised an activity day for manchester's 60+ members and we enjoyed archery, aerobics, a photography session, a BBQ and a centenary challenge. It was a beautiful day at our campsite and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
We are having a few days in St Anne's on Sea which is just south of Blackpool. It's more sedate than Blackpool and a favourite with pensioners! As Kevin has just retired, we felt that it was appropriate to come here. We're staying in a lovely small hotel which is very comfortable and where the food is excellent. We've had a day in Blackpool, but that is a really tacky place. Anyway, we've recharged our batteries and ready to go home. jasper has had his first taste of kennels, so we hope he's enjoyed it. He has a 'test' on Saturday to see how much he has learned at his puppy improver classes. He does OK at the class but has his moments at home _ like eating my new EXPENSIVE Mephisto sandals aaaaagh!!!
Well, I shall have to go and get myself beautiful for this evening's meal. From now on it'll be back to me cooking, sadly.

saturday 26th April

Well, it's been an eventful couple of weeks in our household. My dear one fell downstairs and has ruptured one of the big tendons/ligaments in his knee, so he is in plaster from the top of his leg to his ankle and cannot do a thing. He's now got a cold so is feeling rather fed up. This all means that the house is a tip because we were going to decorate the little bedroom , where Kevin has hundreds of books, papers etc etc. that is now half empty and the rest of upstairs is full of all sorts. In between all this I've had lots of meetings, coffee mornings,and, tomorrow, the annual sponsored walk I organise. It's a mad life! Next week we get our new pup, Jasper, to add to the chaos. I'm going to have to make this short and sweet as I have things to do -- like sleep!!

Spring! April 6th

I can't believe that it is so long since I wrote my blog but I have been incedibly busy. I should be busy now but I've not got the energy! Why have I been so busy - well, I've had to organise a few things and I can see light at the end of the tunnel now. My back bedroom is full of 650 knitted hats for premature babies which I've got to sort, pack and deliver to special care baby units, there are bags of crafty things for a stall and lists of things still to do! The girlguiding centenary starts in September, so we have lots to do for that. Enough of that! We are trying to get the house puppy proof. We're having the drive done, the lounge stripped and plastered and plan to decorate the little bedroom. Our little pup is growing and we're going up to see him during the holiday and the visit after that will be to pick him up. I'm so excited although I was the one who said we shouldn't have another pup!
I've got the TV on and they are talking about Jade Goody again. I was so sorry that a young woman should die leaving two little ones, and I sort of understand her reasoning re. the media but the media circus is milking this story. I'd feel better if they were making donations to cancer research to help other people, but I'm afraid that it is just profit they are interested in. I haven't seen such hysteria since Diana died. I absolutely hate this cult of celebrity worship - what values are we giving our young people. Thank heavens for prominent people like Michelle Obama who visited a school in London and told them that its good to be smart and to work hard towards their goals.
I'm reading a book now about a woman who has adopted six children with special educatonal needs, mainly Downs Syndrome. I loved my Downs children when I taught them, but to have so many to look after long term is incredible.
The weather has been glorious this last week and today is lovely too. We went a lovely walk yesterday in a country park near Rochdale. I suppose that I need to get going and do some gardening.
I've tried to put some pictures on this blog to liven it up but failed again! I'll just close now.

17th March

The top of the morning to you! It's St Patrick's day today and it's a beautiful day here - a real spring beauty. It's a whole week since I wrote and it's been a bit busy really. On Friday night we had our 60+ group which was fun. One of our ladies has hand bell plates and she brought them along and tried to get some music out of us. The bells have a lovely sound, it's just a pity that we didn't have much of a clue. We also received an email photo of our new puppy, so Saturday we went round pricing puppy stuff! I hope I've managed to attach the photo, but technology is not my forte. The pup was 5 days old when this photo was taken - he is so cute! Anyway back to my week. On Saturday night we went out to a pub in Marple for a meal - I've never seen such huge portions!! So, I've done two long walks this week so I'm feeling virtuous and my knee hurts! I've made 4 birthday cards, done a bit of painting, read a book and found the bottom of my ironing basket. A miracle!
The book was good - Snow Flower and the secret fan by Lisa See. It is about Chinese society in the early 1800's I think. I've always been fascinated by the old Chinese culture since I was little and this book explains things such as foot binding and a woman's place in the society. I have bought another book by Lisa which I hope is as good.
Anyway, I have a meeting this afternoon so I had better go and have my shower and do something before I go.

tues again

I have read my help line and shall now to add photos - watch this space!

First, a photo of the pup's sire. Isn't he a handsome boy? Let's hope our pup's the same.

I shall now try to add my 'portraits'. Do remember that they are not finished, they are my first attempts at portraits and one of my first tries with oils. They are the excuses, now for the masterpieces.
Can't get the pics up!!

Tuesday 10th March

I can't believe that it is only 7.50 and I have had my breakfast, watched the news, checked my emails and am now writing my blog! I must do some cleaning this morning before I go off to the clinic, my mother and toddler group and then our WI meeting this evening. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
I even waved Kevin off to work this morning. Things are a bit tense at his school as preparations for the new academy are under way. Last week the new curriculum came out - no history or geography as discrete subjects in upper school. Following reprsentations, they have been reinstated for at least one year. I don't know what is happening to our education here. this morning they announce a teacher training course lasting 6 months only, and a 'fast track' headteacher course so that you can be a headteacher after 4 years teaching!
Then we have the news that a policeman has been murdered in Northern Ireland. I really hope that this and the murders at the weekend are not indicative of and escalation of the troubles.
Now for happier news. Last night we ordered a puppy!! A springer spaniel boy,born last Thursday. We haven't seen the pups yet as they are so young, but I didn't sleep last night...worrying, thinking of names etc. etc. Bang goes my nice quiet retirement!!
I have just tried to add a photograph of his sire, but I don't know what I've done wrong. My computer skills are not very good.
I shall also try to show my very first portraits, both of which are works in progress. Then, i shall go and have my shower!