This is quite a responsibility - I said I'd do it, so here it is, in living black and white:

DOLLYDAGGERS - The Musical.

(The curtain rises onto a set consisting of a table, laid for supper and 4 chairs. DollyDaggers is standing on a chair, bending over forwards,head almost on knees, with guitar behind his legs, playing a loud riff.)

The guitar steams to a shit hot riff a la Hendrix - the chair wobbles, guitarist and guitar collapse onto the table breaking several items of crockery in the process.

Mrs D and Mr J dash in from the kitchen, the dancing to Abba songs abandoned for the nonce.

"What the hell has happened in here?" Exclaims a previously very merry Mrs D.

"My guitar! Sob....I hope it's ok!" A dishevelled form unravels to an upright position.
"I was just trying the Hendrix number 5 position, you know, riffing through my legs and it went a bit pear shaped." Mr D assumes a happy stance after checking guitar is unscathed.

"You eejit! That's my best crockery!" Mrs D looks up, eyes rolling heavenward.
"Hey man, that was a cool riff you played there, any wine left?" Mr J with empty glass in hand assumes a modest position.

"Don't worry doll, we can always get more crockery, but this baby (indicates guitar) is the boss!"
Some more incoherent mumblings accompany the lowering of the curtain.
CURTAIN FALLS TO NO APPLAUSE

DollyDaggers loves to court a frivolous reputation. His legendary gigs with a long list of bands are the stuff of which legends are made.
Yes, he has performed in public many times, to raptuous applause and dancing. Rock and Roll never felt so good.

However, not many know of his childhood dream to own a retriever puppy. And, not JUST a puppy. O no! For this burgeoning rock star a puppy wearing a sticky backed plastic jacket, complete with a chimp jockey on it's back, sitting on a tiny saddle was his dream.
What did his inconsiderate parents get him? A kangaroo!
Ever since, he keeps his pockets as empty as possible, a foible from those dark, traumatic times.

He is also a family man. He has a genius 13yr old son who had a brainwave of an idea, which sadly never got picked up by anyone who was able to do anything with the idea.
The idea was - Football Golf!
Golf played with a football, with large holes of course, to accomodate the football.

Then there was the famous 'Blog Fight.'
It involved several bloggers who were spurned on by a DollyDaggers who had had a very bad week and was looking for some aggro.
It started with a pool cue being broken over someone's head.
Then a grenade was tossed.
Then glasses of the spectacle kind were smashed.
Then the AK47 machine gun came out and childlike rattattatt noises were made.
A motley collection of a glass eye and a wooden leg were left unclaimed at the wreckage.
A good time was had by all.

I had an enjoyable afternoon yesterday in the woods, helping Mr A with his logging.
I had a go on the quad bike! At first, I moved the throttle too quickly and we juddered up the track. The brave Mr A sitting on the wheel rim giving instructions. We got a bit close to the bank at one point, and I couldn't get it away from it. It's a bit like a motor bike, but with 4 wheels. I couldn't get the hang of reversing down the track, so we swopped roles, and I did the running up and down the bank, linking and unlinking the chain onto the logs.

When the chain, which is on the end of a long rope, is linked onto the log, the quad bike pulls the rope, which goes through a pulley held in place by a large A frame. The rope my end, attached to the chain is pulled by the quad and the huge logs come sliding down the bank to settle by the winch. I then unlink the chain and head up to the next log. It was hard physical work, as the chain is quite heavy, and the logs were uphill, but I felt great after a few hours. Aching, but a pleasant tiredness that you get from exercising. Also it was dry, no rain.

Today, it's raining, and Mr A is out there, determined to try and finish the job before he goes back to work on Tuesday.
Also, as soon as evidence of spring shows, it has to stop, so that new growth won't be crushed by the movenment of the logs on the ground.
Mr A says that the sap is rising already in the sycamores that he has felled, so spring is in the air!

DINNER
Steak
Baked Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts (still loads left)
Organic Carrots

I now have my computer back online. Hurrah! The cd that Orange sent works, and Mr A sorted it for me (bless).
I do love this writing business! Here I am, woodburner chugging away, so I'm nice and warm, sitting down, relaxed and typing up the recipes for the online Cook Book of Top 20 Avrilo Recipes.

I did think about a detective story featuring a midwife. Lots of writers use their old occupations and adapt them to their detectives. Like a forensic pathologist. There are 2 very popular authors, Kathy Freid and the other one, Pat Crawford is it? Something like that. (Memory loss hits again.) Also Jonathon Kellerman, ex psychologist, his hero being the same.
I don't know quite how it will tie in, but the knowledge of pregnancy and birth may hold me in good stead when it comes to murder (that didn't come out right!)
What I mean is I can pad it out, and use that knowledge to give the lead character some personality.
This is all off the top of my head, may not go anywhere, like quite a few of my ideas, but from acorns.....etc....

The other possibility, which I'm sure has been done, is the detective being in showbusiness. Which I am not, unless you count blogging...mwah mwah darlings. Anyhoo, it shows the old brainbox is ticking over and the imagination turning cartwheels and jumping up and down like on a trampoline.

DINNER

Lamb Curry (leftover from, yes, xmas)
Basmati Rice
Salad a la moi

Last night we had a delicious Lamb Stew. Very rich and nourishing, the only spices I added was fenugreek and bay leaves. I added potatoes to the stew.

I am still using Mr A's laptop as I am still not yet online. I am on recipe number 4 at the moment,for the downloadable recipe book, so it is going well. Mr A has a few of his own recipes to add, when he has a moment. There are some lovely salad recipes in there - good healthy eating that tastes good!
The key to a good salad is in the dressing, and using good fresh ingredients, none of your vegetable oils or salad cream......

It is a lovely clear sunny day today, I shall be changing into old trousers (my clothes I mean, not me!) and helping Mr A in the forest by clearing up the small branches and twigs left from felling. The kettle is on to make a flask of coffee to take out, and a mince pie or 2........

I want to finish with a grande finale, nothing though provoking comes to mind though..Maybe later or by tomorrow I will come up with something, but usually I prefer to be spontaneous. The kettle is boiling so I must away............life in the wooden house in the forest continues in the next unexciting episode........

I just had to blog about this xmas present that my brother in law gave to his mum and dad.

It was a gift voucher, well not really a voucher, more a card. (I'm like this when I tell jokes too.)

There was a photo on the front of a group of women wearing green jackets, hats, jackets and visors.
It was taken in Lagos. They were being trained in finding and destroying land mines.

The gift was a donation to clear 10 square metres of land from land mines and to train up women to do the work. (No, don't even go there!)

It didn't specify how much he'd given, but it must have been a fair whack. I thought it a splendid idea, and he knew his parents have visited that part of the world and loved it there. Also this is a family who have a collective social conscience.(I think I was brought into the brood as a hopeless case.)

I know some people give to charity rather than send cards, but usually buy gifts at christmas. This seems an excellent idea for those who think and care about such things.
The card mentioned how many land mines there still were there, an incredible number, and how many adults and children had been killed or maimed by them, again an incredible number.

So called civilized countries that leave their mark of potential destruction in such a devious bastardly horrible way should all be faced with the reality of what they have done. I guess it's easier to sleep if you don't think about consequences.........

That is my rant of the day - I thang yew......!

Menu of the Day is having a little holiday today, it is going to in-laws for lunch and so will report back tomorrow.

Now, back to the burning question of the day - why is it called Boxing Day? I was told once (bearing in mind I am as gullible as they come,) that it was because there were lots of boxes left over from the presents. Hmmm. Not sure about that answer.

Or is it that feelings run high, through expectations not met through getting crappy presents and feeling hungover, that you want to box someone's ears?

Or is it that the unwanted presents get put into boxes to return to the shop to be changed for something wanted?

Or is it a throwback to olden days when they used to have boxing matches after xmas day for exercise?

If anyone knows the reason for today being called boxing day, I couldn't really care less, but I will pretend to in order to encourage someone to reply, thinking they have added some quality to my life.
It can be tough here, behind the monitor screen, trying to entice comments.

One way is to wave a verbal red rag, and hope that some bullish people will answer, (that's called 'giving a toss.' Another, more seductive way is to dress the box up in sexy words and entice comments by wiggling the hips of the words in an alluring way. Like this ((<>))

I just ramble on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and

Celeste looked at her watch, it was 7.30, the evening was going to explode into people, laughter, drinks and noise very soon. She was getting anxious.

As co-owner of Tyalskye and Pacy Detective Agency, she came on ahead of Macy, her business partner to make sure everything was ready for the xmas party. They had invited Helen, the secretary, previous clients, and some people that had worked for them from time to time.
The venue was called The Queens Head and they had booked a function room and a D.J. through his advert in the local paper. She thought he would have been there by now as it kicked off at 8pm.

She adjusted her bra strap, they were invisible, well, supposed to be, but kept slipping off her shoulder. Her strapless dress was tight, but she'd believed Macy when she told her that it looked great. She had to walk in a duck like fashion as it was very narrow all the way down, and her feet were starting to hurt from the tight high heeled shoes. It was the influence of Macy, who gave Dolly Parton a run for her money in frills and boobs department.

"Hiya!" Macy made quite an entrance, sweeping in, wearing a red satin dress with more ruffles and flounces than the curtains in a bordello.
"We've got problems," said Celeste feeling pleased that she could offload her worries on Macy. "The D.J. hasn't turned up, we have no music."
"No worries," said Macy, adjusting her already immaculate lipstick with a powder case studded with rhinestones. "We can just have our own talent show, you know, get people up to sing, that sort of thing. It'll be fine."

"Macy, we have some very high roller clients coming, we want to show that we can at least organise our own Christmas Party!" Celeste heard her voice rising as the sense of urgent panic crept in.

"Leave it to me. no worries, have a drink and relax, I'll make some phone calls." With that she flounced to a chair, dug out her pink rhinestone encrusted mobile, keyed a number and started to talk.
People were starting to arrive and head to the bar. She tried again the number for the D.J., but again got his answerphone. She left a message asking where he was as he was supposed to be at The Queens Head pub for their party.
'Ah well' thought Celeste, drained her glass and headed for the bar.

"Hello, Major!" Celeste greeted the gentleman in full evening dress.
"So pleased you could come."
"Wouldn't have missed it m'dear, after the stirling work you did in exposing that fraud who said he was my missing heir. By the way, this is my new wife, Griselda."
Celeste turned to greet a young woman who looked in her 30's, but on closer inspection was probably older with skilful makeup to try and cover the lines.
"Delighted! Charles told me about your little agency, I told him it sounded very sweet."
"Thank you" said Celeste, feeling irritated by this simpering woman.

The doors banged open to a group of young men wearing black leather, carrying lots of musical instrument cases, amps and bags. They proceed to one end of the room and started to set up.

Macy hurried over after pausing to have a quick word with them.
"This is the band. They came on very short notice. They are a heavy metal outfit, good for dancing."
Celeste realised she had her mouth open, staring at the motley crew of young men, whose trousers' were so tight, they looked sprayed on.
"Macy, we have a different class of people here tonight, they won't want heavy metal, more heavy middle of the road!"

"No worries," said Macy walking away.
That recent trip to Australia has chilled her out even more, thought Celeste, she keeps saying 'no worries' and 'she's a beaut' which was starting to annoy her.

The sound of a Boeing 747 on take off threw everyone into silence.
It was a guitar chord being struck by a lad whose legs resembled stilts. He had long hair and a fringe that didn't know where it ended.
"One two one two!" The soundcheck was in progress.

Celeste went into the other bar to have a quieter drink and escape the noise.
It didn't seem to take long before they launched into a song, though the Queens English as she knew it was not in evidence at all.
She stayed there for a few songs then steeled herself to return to the noise.

The room was packed, everyone seemed to be dancing, talking, laughing and generally having a good time. It was amazing!
"Well done m'dear, this is more like it!" The Major remarked as he was jiggling his body around and sticking out his elbows, like he was walking a marathon.
It seemed to be a success.

"Are you Celeste Tyalskye?" A middle aged man with a heavy case had tapped her shoulder.
"I'm the D.J., sorry I'm late, I went to the Kings Arms instead. I was set up, playing me records and then found out I was at the wrong place when they started up the karoake."

He was sent on his way with no pay and a swift rejoinder for being stupid.
"I'm glad he went to the wrong place" Celeste said to Macy, "this band are far better! How did you get them so quickly?"
"Oh Merv is an ex and they owe me a favour and just want free drinks for payment," said Macy adjusting her lipstick in her compact.

"You saved the day Macy. Thank you!" Celeste, for once, humbling herself willingly to her partner.

"No worries!"

LUNCH

Leg of Lamb which fed happily on the lush meadows of West Wales
Roast Potatoes
Roast Parsnips from the Garden
Leeks from the Garden
Savoy Cabbage
Gravy from Heaven

The lamb is in the oven almost cooked as I type this. The smell is drifting through the house giving off an aroma of salivating quality.
Mr A has just said that it is ready and is sorting the table.
He made loads of mince pies with brandy yesterday - scrumptious!

So, story later after Monsters Inc, which I never saw before and always wanted to see....

Have yourselves a great day and check in later.

DINNER
Vegetable Curry with cauliflower, onion, celery, potatoes and 2 Tablespoons of Pataks Tomato and Tamarind Paste, various spices including the versatile fenugreek.
Basmati Rice
Salad a la Moi
Lime Pickle
Mango Chutney
Raita

Bavarian Smoked Cheese, Cashel Blue Cheese, Poppyseed Crackers

Mr A complimented me by saying that the curries are getting even better these days! He doesn't hand out compliments willy nilly, (penis zero-y?) (Scraping the bottom of the pun barrel again here) - so it must have been good!
Watched the final of Strictly Come Dancing and enjoyed seeing the 2 sportsmen dance with such finesse. I love to watch men enjoy themselves dancing, without being self conscious or twattish.

I have the very lovely Dollydaggers as my Secret Santa, so I shall be having a look at his blog, sum it up in a sentence and post it here later. (It may run to a paragraph.) I haven't read his blog before, but know a bit about him from other bloggers so feel he isn't a complete stranger. For instance, I know he is a guitarist, which gives him an immediate tick in his 'things that will endear me to Avrilo' box.

Had a delightful day with Liberty, my 2 and half yr old grandaughter. Again, we took bicycle trips lying on our backs on my bed, a lot of it uphill. We did acrobatics, where I took her flying, lying atop of my legs while I was in upside down cycling position.
We put on a puppet show with Teddy, Lala, Kookaburra, and girly doll. She exploded with laughter when I kept calling her a 'little thug' for hitting the puppets.
We played hide and seek, but I don't think she's quite got the idea of it as when I come looking for her, she calls out 'I'm here in the bed!' I think she wants me to find her....
We were both quite tired when her dad came to fetch her many hours later after non stop lunatic activity.

I made up a song that we liked to sing:
'Liberty wibberty woo,
I'm fine, so how are you?
Liberty wibberty wee,
come and play with me.'

Mr A is going to take some days off from logging - hurrah! A well earned rest which, I can foresee, will feature alcohol trickling into the picture.

We had an invite out tonight to an xmas gig with lots of friends in a lovely venue called The Chattery, which is a small, intimate place.
Saw Nick Harper there which was fantastic. It's so small that he was close enough to see what chords he used. He played so fast that it was a bit of a blur, or was it the alcohol?
Anyway, we were feeling too laid back to venture out, so copped out and stayed in.

Match of the Day is on, hence me doing my blog now. It gives him such pleasure I never begrudge him watching it, even though I've no interest. Do other football fans also call out remarks, even watching on your own? He's always done it, so it seems normal for him, especially if it's Arsenal, then he really goes for it, as if he's there at the match in person. Bless!

Right, so I've 2 things to do for this blog - soon.
1. Do a scintillating precis of Mr Dollydagger's blog.
2. Write an xmas story about Tyalskye and Pacy's detectivating adventures for xmas day.

So, now, I shall retire to reading my book, (Johnathan Kellerman,)
and have the box of Teacher's Whiskey Liquor chocolates to hand. I think I shall also have a cup of hot chocolate to round off the taste experience to a 10 out of 10 top mark for the chocolate factor.

Just went through the front room to verify the name of the cheese I had for afters and a delighted Mr A informed me that Arsenal won 6-2.
I think it's so sweet that he thinks I give a toss about it!

A Happy Solstice to everyone!

DINNER
French Onion Soup with Miso
Toasted Blue Cheese and Walnut bread with melted Gruyere Cheese
Baked Potatoes with butter

I love Miso added to soups. It has a unique 'brown' flavour and a packet can last for years without going off, as I've proven over the years....

I am still awaiting a cd from Orange so that I can go online they said it would come within a few days, and that was over a week ago.
So, Orange Customer Services - You suck!

Driving down over the mountain yesterday I could see a ribbon of fog stretching over the town I was approaching. It looked spooky and ephemeral like one low, dense cloud protectively hovering over the town and castle.
Mr A drove our neighbours to Cardiff airport to catch a plane to Europe for the hols, it was touch and go whether their plane would take off due to the fog but they were driven from there to Bristol
where planes where leaving.

A lovely day yesterday, cold but brittle and clear in the woods. I assisted Mr A in winching some huge logs down the path to add to the growing pile.
To get some trees out he had to use chains, ropes and straps wrapped around trees at an angle to pull them clear to the path. He was using the quad which has good pulling power.
I was linking and unlinking the chain around the logs. I do enjoy working with him, we work well together and he is very considerate that I don't overdo any lifting, my limit is a ton. (Not really, well, of course you know it's not really, sounds impressive though.)

Ordered lamb from our local butchers. I don't like turkey anytime of year, neither does Mr A.
Lots of nice cheese, fruit and nuts will be pudding for us. There are a few good programmes on the tv, so that's us sorted. A traditional walk on xmas day though, probably down the beach will be just the thing to keep the appetite nice and fresh.

I will be writing a short story on xmas day, a festive caper for the undynamic duo of Tyalskye and Pacy. My litte pressie to my blog friends.

DINNER
I can't think of the word - it's Spanish and made with eggs
bit like Paella, but not.
Chorizo and assorted vegetables in eggs cooked in a frying pan with dill and fenugreek
Salad a la Mr A

I forget a word from time to time, like the one above. It's either old age, or Altzeimers, but I think I'm a bit young for that.

So I did most of the xmas shopping yesterday, but stayed out of town and went to a big store instead, Crazy Macs. It has so many different things under one roof that I managed to get a new coat as well. A nice woollen tweedy well fitting coat, just what I needed.

TORTILLA! I've just remembered the name for the eggy dish.

I'm a Secret Santa! Or I've been given one. This xmasy thing that Lyndji is doing anyway. Teri was given me as her secret santa and had to read my blog and comment on it. This is the link to her blog (I hope.) Teri_R. Oh. It didn't go all blue...
Latest reports from her family say that she is doing well and recovering slowly, but a return to normal is hoped for quite soon.

The lovely Al is helping Mr A in the woods today felling and so forth. I can hear the chainsaw as I type in the distance (like the distant rolling of drums..) Is it rolling of drums? Or maybe rumbling....or thundering...where was I?

I shall be wielding my lovely red painted axe shortly to replenish the kindling bin. I love the feeling of aiming the axe onto the log, lifting it up, letting the weight of the axe drop onto it and split it cleanly. Well, we all get our buzzes in different ways. Different strokes for different folks (ha ha.)

I received a load of bumf from Business Eye, very helpful I'm sure. I feel totally out of my depth........ I can't really get started till I have internet access I'm still on Mr A's laptop, we are expecting a cd to come from Orange which should fix it. Ha!

The recipes are shaping up lovely. There's a great recipe for cockles...for the more adventerous of you, and some lovely soup recipes from Mr A, inherited from his mother.
So, from a foggy, cold westerly part of the country I bid you g'day, and trust you have no worries.

Meeting the rest of Scarabella later for an xmas get together and sing so it'll be pub grub beforehand with the delicious cheese n chilli potato wedges for the reasonable price of £3.75 for a big plateful.

Mr A is felling trees in the woods and luckily it's been dry. I give about an hours work, piling up the branches into piles, tidying up really and it's not heavy work, so I'm happy to help out.

One week to go and I think it's about time I went shopping!
I don't like shopping, I like it even less now I'm not earning a full wage! I'll have to get Mr A something really nice though, god knows what! He's bought his dad a hitch bar for his tractor, a very thoughtful gift, and so handy.

God this is a boring post! Even I'm bored with it, bored bored bored with it. I think I'm so full up with thinking about my new to be business that it hasn't left much room for more interesting thoughts.
I shall go and look at Going Somewheres new blog on her philosophy of life and see if I can pick a few holes in it.......

LAST NIGHT'S BUFFET
Best thing, King Prawn wrapped in filo pastry deep fried & Chilli sauce
Spring rolls with various fillings, chicken for one
Tough bits of meat onna stick - not very nice
Stuffing and Cranberry sauce spring roll

Not terribly impressed with the buffet. The meat was tough but the mince pies were nice. We had a good time chatting to Mr A's work colleagues, 10 of them went white water rafting earlier as part of the xmas do. Most of them are outdoors sporty types, despite this, they are nice people. Had a good chat to Nick about setting up a website for the personalised songs. He has had a lot of experience having set up 2 companies which are doing well.

OUR DINNER
Roast Lamb Chops
Roast Potatoes
Organic Carrots
Brussel Sprouts
Angel Gravy
Horseradish Sauce

MMmmmmmmmmmm!

I have my 15 recipes (some from Mr A) and 5 salad ideas written down by hand. Next step is to type it into PDF to send to those interested. I will cut and paste some of the Tyalskye and Pacy stories to put in as well. Ooooo! It's coming together!
I thought £4.
Whadja think? Too cheap?

I had the brainwave of calling the personalised song service 'giftsongs.' So I looked it up on the net - guess what! Someones done it already! An American firm, who just change the names so the song remains the same. They have all these different occasions you click on and you can hear the song. I thought it was too sugary sweet, but explains how they can charge $49.99 as most of the work has been done. Their songwriter has impressive credits though and a long list of artistes he's written for (never heard of a lot of them.)
There are also a few other sites, prices variable, but a totally original song about £150 is the going rate, sounds about right.
I heard a few of the samples and again, the singing wasn't up to much I have to say.
I think it's comparable to art. Some paintings of little orphaned kids on velvet would say they are original. Then you can get good art, and tell the difference. Not that I'm saying I'm an Old Master, but I'm sure I can do better than some of the stuff I heard.
It's going to take some organising and I'll see what the guy from Business Eye advises. A good web site is crucial though and worth spending money on.
My jaw dropped a bit to see all the competition, though some web sites were off putting, visually. It looked like anyone who can play a Casio and sing has had a go at it!

So, my friends, when I get the website done I will be coming, cap in hand, to ask if I can put a link on your blog as a helping hand.
A bit cheeky I know, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Had Molly and Eve here for a bit this afternoon. They are going to be in a play 'Phantom of the Opera' but calling it 'Phantom of the Auditorium' which I thought was funny. This is from their home education group. No songs apparently, and Eve is playing the phantom, and Molly is to be the love interest, who fancies the phantom. I suspect any similarity between the original musical and this production will be purely accidental.

As mentioned previously we are eating out tonight at Mr A's firm xmas do. I'm hungry now, so that's a good start!
Typing this to the background sounds of Mr A's band (well, not his band, I should say the band he's in.) Sue, a very talented musician plays piano and sings an eclectic mix from jazz to original songs. She studied music and it shows, able to read music and understand the workings of it.
Whereas I taught myself by ear. It was hard at first, as I could only play one note at a time, with my ears being on either side of my head........

Over the years various people have advised me to learn to read music and take lessons, and they are probably right. I'm an impatient sort of person though and can imagine that I'd just want to play and get fed up with hard brain work.

I can remember when I was first able to play the piano with both hands for the first time. I listened to boogie woogie on records and loved the energy of such fast paced music and wanted to play it myself. That was my inspiration to teach myself.
Getting the left hand to play a bass riff to accompany the right hand playing chords and twiddly bits (as we professionals say) was frustrating and a real test of patience and practice. I was determined though and felt such a sense of achievement when I finally could do it.

Using both hands to play different tunes, sometimes in different timings, seems to place the thinking brain into an altered state, because you can't possibly concentrate on everything that you are doing - there's too much.
The thinking tends to land somewhere in the middle of it all. Your eyes help to see where your fingers are and your mind hovers over the whole action, trying to separate out the different parts, yet bring them together at the same time. (If that makes sense to anyone, well done you!)

Saw a Santa Claus outside a second story window standing on the window sill, looking like he was about to climb in. It looked really funny as it was a lifesized dummy dressed up in the red suite with a sack over his shoulder. The rest of the tat, I mean, lights and decorations, I'm not bothered about, whingeing scrooge that I am, I think it's a waste of electricity. However, this particular Santa got the thumbs up.

The tree is still outside in it's pot, 3 years old now and I guess it's time for it to come in again and get covered with the same lights and glittery stuff it gets covered in every year. I haven't bought any new decorations for yonks, well, I never think of it till the tree's up, and there doesn't seem to be any room for anything else to go on there.
As you may have guessed by now, I hang onto things, rarely chucking anything out which still has wear and tear left in it.
Mr A is making tea for the rest of the band and said we shall have to go at 6, and I need a bath and transformation before then so I'd better get a move on.

DINNER
Starters
Artichoke Hearts in lemon juice and olive oil

Cauliflower Curry
Basmati Rice
Salad a la Moi

Ooo I love artichokes. Canned ones not as nice as fresh. I'm going to try and grow some next year.

Had 2 1/2yr old grandaughter for a visit yesterday. She knocked her hand on a hard surface and there was a mark. She said,
"I'm still happy though."
What a darling!
She was telling me about 'Enjy Benjy' apparently he mends cars, so we built a garage out of wooden blocks and she chatted away about Enjy Benjy making up a little story about him and making a bed for him in the garage.

Watched some CBeebies, kids tv. They make more of an effort than when I used to watch tv as a kid. I remember Muffin the Mule and Andy Pandy (it's still on). You'd get a puppet, not very well made and someone talking. That was it. There's songs every couple of minutes with proper instruments and lots of character and good costumes.
Still, I didn't watch much tv as a kid, don't know if it' a good thing that kids want to watch tv more cos it's at a better standard now.

My wireless connection is still off so I'm on Mr A's laptop.
I think we're going to have a game of backgammon later. He mentioned about going visiting friends down the road to have a game. I didn't fancy the walk and said I'd give him a game. He said he like playing Taff because he's good! I don't play it enough to be very good, and keep having to ask about the rules when we start.

Mother in Law gave me the phone number of 'Business Eye.' A government thingy that has advisers for people thinking of setting up their own business. It could be very handy, especially with getting a web page together. I am so computer illiterate at the moment. She also mentioned classes run for free, or very cheap to learn computing skills.

Xmas Do with Mr A's firm on saturday. Each year it's something different. One year it was a comedy club, then bowling, this year it's white water rafting in the day then dinner in the evening at a posh hotel. I think I'll skip the rafting in the day...It's a very nice and friendly firm, run by young guys. No logging done today, Mr A went to the office instead to tie up some loose ends.
There's his band's pratice here on saturday. We can play live music here as there are no near neighbours, in fact he has been practising his drumming most evenings recently.

I felt like writing a poem earlier whilst looking at the trees with bare branches. I was driving at the time so didn't do it. I just knock up something here now.

Skeleton trees
clawing upward toward slate
blue sky.
Limbs describe the reaching arms well.

There is an individual loneliness
that is felt by each
living aspect of creation.
All reaching to coalesce into
a summery swarm.
Honey tipped warmth to envelope
Everything.

DINNER
Starters
Artichoke Hearts in lemon juice and olive oil

Cauliflower Curry
Basmati Rice
Salad a la Moi

Ooo I love artichokes. Canned ones not as nice as fresh. I'm going to try and grow some next year.

Had 2 1/2yr old grandaughter for a visit yesterday. She knocked her hand on a hard surface and there was a mark. She said,
"I'm still happy though."
What a darling!
She was telling me about 'Enjy Benjy' apparently he mends cars, so we built a garage out of wooden blocks and she chatted away about Enjy Benjy making up a little story about him and making a bed for him in the garage.

Watched some CBeebies, kids tv. They make more of an effort than when I used to watch tv as a kid. I remember Muffin the Mule and Andy Pandy (it's still on). You'd get a puppet, not very well made and someone talking. That was it. There's songs every couple of minutes with proper instruments and lots of character and good costumes.
Still, I didn't watch much tv as a kid, don't know if it' a good thing that kids want to watch tv more cos it's at a better standard now.

My wireless connection is still off so I'm on Mr A's laptop.
I think we're going to have a game of backgammon later. He mentioned about going visiting friends down the road to have a game. I didn't fancy the walk and said I'd give him a game. He said he like playing Taff because he's good! I don't play it enough to be very good, and keep having to ask about the rules when we start.

Mother in Law gave me the phone number of 'Business Eye.' A government thingy that has advisers for people thinking of setting up their own business. It could be very handy, especially with getting a web page together. I am so computer illiterate at the moment. She also mentioned classes run for free, or very cheap to learn computing skills.

Xmas Do with Mr A's firm on saturday. Each year it's something different. One year it was a comedy club, then bowling, this year it's white water rafting in the day then dinner in the evening at a posh hotel. I think I'll skip the rafting in the day...It's a very nice and friendly firm, run by young guys. No logging done today, Mr A went to the office instead to tie up some loose ends.
There's his band's pratice here on saturday. We can play live music here as there are no near neighbours, in fact he has been practising his drumming most evenings recently.

I felt like writing a poem earlier whilst looking at the trees with bare branches. I was driving at the time so didn't do it. I just knock up something here now.

Skeleton trees
clawing upward toward slate
blue sky.
Limbs describe the reaching arms well.

There is an individual loneliness
that is felt by each living aspect
of the whole of creation.
All reaching to coalesce into
a summery swarm.
Honey tipped warmth to envelope
Everything.

DINNER
Starters
Artichoke Hearts in lemon juice and olive oil

Cauliflower Curry
Basmati Rice
Salad a la Moi

Ooo I love artichokes. Canned ones not as nice as fresh. I'm going to try and grow some next year.

Had 2 1/2yr old grandaughter for a visit yesterday. She knocked her hand on a hard surface and there was a mark. She said,
"I'm still happy though."
What a darling!
She was telling me about 'Enjy Benjy' apparently he mends cars, so we built a garage out of wooden blocks and she chatted away about Enjy Benjy making up a little story about him and making a bed for him in the garage.

Watched some CBeebies, kids tv. They make more of an effort than when I used to watch tv as a kid. I remember Muffin the Mule and Andy Pandy (it's still on). You'd get a puppet, not very well made and someone talking. That was it. There's songs every couple of minutes with proper instruments and lots of character and good costumes.
Still, I didn't watch much tv as a kid, don't know if it' a good thing that kids want to watch tv more cos it's at a better standard now.

My wireless connection is still off so I'm on Mr A's laptop.
I think we're going to have a game of backgammon later. He mentioned about going visiting friends down the road to have a game. I didn't fancy the walk and said I'd give him a game. He said he like playing Taff because he's good! I don't play it enough to be very good, and keep having to ask about the rules when we start.

Mother in Law gave me the phone number of 'Business Eye.' A government thingy that has advisers for people thinking of setting up their own business. It could be very handy, especially with getting a web page together. I am so computer illiterate at the moment. She also mentioned classes run for free, or very cheap to learn computing skills.

Xmas Do with Mr A's firm on saturday. Each year it's something different. One year it was a comedy club, then bowling, this year it's white water rafting in the day then dinner in the evening at a posh hotel. I think I'll skip the rafting in the day...It's a very nice and friendly firm, run by young guys. No logging done today, Mr A went to the office instead to tie up some loose ends.
There's his band's pratice here on saturday. We can play live music here as there are no near neighbours, in fact he has been practising his drumming most evenings recently.

I felt like writing a poem earlier whilst looking at the trees with bare branches. I was driving at the time so didn't do it. I just knock up something here now.

Skeleton trees
clawing upward toward slate
blue sky.
Limbs describe the reaching arms well.

There is an individual loneliness
that is felt by each living aspect
of the whole of creation.
All reaching to coalesce into
a summery swarm.
Honey tipped warmth to envelope
Everything.

Still on the sexy black laptop belonging to Mr A.
How a laptop can be sexy I don't know, it's one of those 'buzz' words that people who think they are trendy use.
I think I've just insulted myself.

I failed to tick a crucial box which is why I kept getting logged off. Right! Back to business!

DINNER
Chicken in Chilli Sauce
New Potatoes
Salad a la Moi

I've had a very helpful suggestion that I try and sell a recipe book online. Top 20 recipes for cheap and tasty meals?
Whadja think?
£4 a book?
I guess payment through PayPal. Haven't looked into it yet.

Gave Mr A hand in the woods today, he's taking holidays from work to cut trees, log them and winch them into a neat pile. I've been clearing the smaller branches into 'habitat piles.' That's what they are called.

Despite bribery from certain quarters, Mr A is not available for helping damsels in distress (or that dress). He has been known to respond to calls for assistance, but I soon managed to take up all his spare time and put and end to that.
Come on women! We are strong, we are powerful, we can ring our own bells!
Me, the feminist at the forefront of the Women's Movement (it goes like this, wiggle, wiggle), encouraging dependence on men! That's shocking!
Mind you, he is handy to have about the place......

Today I'm having problems with the internet. My wireless connection is not working so I'm using Mr A's computer which is working on the ethernet internet. That sounds quite mystical to me, ethernet - woo woo! So I may lose this post, as after every action I make I have to log in again. Just in case, I'm not trying to make this the most brilliant post ever.....

DINNER
Roast Lamb Cutlets
Roast Potatoes
Organic Carrots
Cabbage
Parsnips from garden

Ok, I'll make this post just a bit brilliant then! If it's lost, then the ethernet has gained something.

It's a rare day that Mr A is indoors in the daytime. Because it is so wet and windy he has had to put the winching of the logs on hold and spend time with me indoors! So far he has done the washing up, washed the kitchen floor, washed duvet covers and clothes. He's just come in from his shed after tidying that up.
I had hoped he could fix my wireless connection for me, but I think maybe that some Kryptonite is leaking from somewhere, and there has been a loss of his powers as it's still not working. I just asked him what he's doing and he said 'leaning up against the doorpost, then I'm going to potter around outside for a bit before it gets dark.'

So there you have it. Hot off the press, life in the *** household as exciting as ever.

Right! I'm going to try and see if this post will get published.
I'm going to press 'save' and take my chances in the adult world.

DINNER
Starters
Artichoke Hearts (from a tin but still nice)

Vegetable Curry
Basmati Rice
Garlic and coriander Naan
Salad a la Moi - dressing olive oil and lemon juice
Yoghurt and mint
Lime Pickle
Mango Chutney

Walnut and Advocaat flavour Ice Cream

In the woods this afternoon with Mr A trying out his new winch. The woods are just alongside our house, a track has just been made from the road by the owner, our neighbour. In return for managing the woods, we can have all the wood that is cut down.

Mr A has just purchased a winch that can pull 4 tons. He has mounted it in the back of my old Ford Fiesta Diesel and uses the battery while the car is running to wind the winch. He also got a 2 1/2 ton hand winch. After he has chainsawed down the trees that need to go (to ensure the younger trees have enough light to grow) they need shifting, that's when the winch comes into its own.
We winched down 4 huge tree trunks today and added them to the growing pile at the side of the track.

He introduced me to this tool called a cant hook.
(Can't Hook Won't Hook!)
It's great, cos it rolls over tree trunks that are lying on the ground with minimal effort. It's a stick with a hook and a moveable bar on one end. You stick the hook in the underside of the log and push it, it grabs the log and rolls it over, easy peasy! No grunting and swearing bending down trying and roll it with your hands. Good eh?

Watched the ballroom dancing competition and x factor - shows Mr A wouldn't watch normally, but it's become a regular thing we watch together now. However, after he came out of the bath I asked him if he was interested in knowing who was chucked out of x factor and who was in the final as he missed the results while he was in the bath.
He said no, he wasn't interested. So I didn't tell him.

I've won a holiday in Spain! It was a free scratchcard I'd sent off ages ago, getting 3 of the same symbols in a line. The prizes started at a million pounds, then 50,000 right down to the Spanish holiday. There are 3 options. First is to go alone, all paid for, except airport taxes, which is 20 pounds.
Second option is up to 4 people to go on holiday to a choice of Spain, Cyprus, Greece, and a few other destinations I can't be bothered to list. 39 pounds to be paid for each person as a 'processing fee.' Flights and accommodation free though.
Third choice is a holiday in the caribbean, but that has to be paid for, 379 pounds for 7 nights.

It does say that they may ask for a refundable deposit of 249 pounds for option 1, refundable when holiday is taken. If holiday is not taken then they keep the money. The holidays are last minute cancellations, so you give the 4 dates you'd like to go. If they are over subscribed, then you have to go when they choose.
They also mention that attendance to a time share meeting is not compulsory, which sounds a bit iffy to me. Sounds like they will try the hard sell to get people to buy in since they have a captive audience.
It sounds like I've listed all the bad points. However, it is a (relatively) free holiday. Something to think about. I wouldn't mind heading to some sun with a couple of books and suntan lotion in the new year........

Right! That got your attention didn't it!

DINNER
Baby New Potatoes
Stuffed Omelette - onion, mushrooms, red pepper and chilli
Salad a la Moi

The celebrity mystery guest has not yet arrived. I left a note under a stone by the bus stop outside my house asking Celine Dion if she could come and appear in my blog alongside Menu of the Day.
I haven't heard back, but that doesn't mean she's not going to come. She just may not have lifted that particular stone, or her agent hasn't - yet. I know she has been sighted taking her dog for a walk along the road with the stream running alongside outside my house.

At least a neighbour of mine, Nora (83) says that she is sure it was her, wearing sunglasses. She had a plastic bag and was scooping up dog poo.
I did ask if she happened to be singing that song from Titanic, but Nora's a bit deaf, so we're waiting for the jury to come in on that one.
Although, I did have the thought that a big star like her might get one of her staff to pick up the dog poo. However, she may like to live like 'the common people' as Jarvis so quaintly puts it and not be averse to getting her hands a bit mucky (not literally, because she'd use a plastic bag.)

So, Celine Dion, if it is you who walks your dog along the road in front of my house, you are most welcome to pop in, put your feet up and have a cuppa. I'm sure you wouldn't mind chopping some onions for Menu of the Day.

Other news: Nada, nothing, zilch, zero, nowt, uhuh.
This little pocket of the globe has seen little change since yesterday, except for the wind, which is blowing less fiercely today. I haven't counted the leaves on the trees so can't say if many more have fallen off, but a lot are almost bare.

Next thing you know I'll be making things up to make this blog sound more interesting.......

DINNER
Avocado Pear

Oven chips
Leek and Gruere Cheese Tartlet
Cauliflower and Cheese Grill

All ready to eat food tonight, just shoved in the oven. Not even salad, as I forgot to get any lettuce.

I've nearly finished the song to put on the website to advertise the personalised song service - still haven't come up with a catchier name for it.
Being honest though, I've been doing a lot more of distracting myself than getting on with it. Thing is, I don't have a time limit, so there's no rush.
Hang on! Actually there is, as I go down to half pay, being off work for more than 6 months in a year. Ulp! I'd better get cracking....

Fierce winds we've having here, the roof is still on though....

Been a bit glued to t.v., watching my hero, Dr Tanya Byron. She's a child psychologist on a programme called 'The House of Tiny Tearaways.' Very naughty kids, about 3-4 yrs old come with parents, or parent, to this house to learn better parenting skills, as their kids are driving them mad, basically.
Dr Tanya (sigh) gives such good advice, that the kids come away sleeping better, having less tantrums, or even none at all, and parents getting insights into what a complete wanker they were before going to the house.
And all with no slapping!
Well done tiny tearaways! Well done stressed out parents!

I wonder what Dr Tanya's home life is like. Does she give smiley stickers to her hubby to stick on his daily chart when he's good?
Or maybe, if he has a bit of a sulk, he'll get a big black cross on his chart. She looks so immaculate, hair, makeup, clothes, I couldn't imagine her cleaning out the bath with her hair in a scrunchy.
If I sound unfair, it's only because she's so perfect and I'm trying to find a flaw in her immaculate persona.

Mr A returns from Grimsby tomorrow. Hurrah!
The loudest thunder I've ever heard woke me up at 4am this morning.
It was so loud, it sounded as if it was just above the ceiling.
"CRACK!"
Me dopey with sleep.
"Whassat.....whass happen?"
Voice of God
"You will diss, Dr Tanya tomorrow in your blog. She helps many and is a brilliant child psychologist, so I am sending thunder now as a telling off."

That Dr Tanya, I tells ya, even God thinks the sun shines out of her perfect nose. Perhaps it would be wise of me to finish off this blog with a positive statement.
Yes, Dr Tanya is very good. In her programme, she helps many families to adjust their routines and behavioural problems and patterns to become socially aware and good citizens, within their own family and in their community. She is very pretty as well.

"That ok God?...God?...You there?......"

Sometimes I feel creative, and I'm not sure how to express it.
I wondered how any of you bloggers out there dealt with it.
By creative, I mean expressing myself in some form, playing a musical instrument, writing, dancing, singing, something external that involves me doing something, not just watching the world go by but get involved in it.
Today I felt like expressing myself but wasn't sure how. The creative energy is different to everything else, it's like communing with spirit. If th