Last night I decided to get up early, finish painting the front room, go into town for haircut, do shopping.
I'm still in dressing gown and been on the computer for hours. The paintbrush hasn't been dipped in paint and time is a ticking away.....
Still, found out a better route on the train without having to change. I'd better take a good book to read for the 4hr.45min journey.... Feeling excited about travelling, nearly as much as friday night's shennanigans...

Looking forward to seeing those bloggers I've met before, namely, Juzzzy, Dyingtobethin, Molty, Subville. I think that's all the ones I've met in Leeds who are definitely coming. It's great that some of the Blog.co team are coming too, feels like a family. Looking forward also to meeting those whose blogs I've enjoyed but aren't on my friends list.
Big decision whether or not to wear high heeled ankle boots (3") or clunky buckled knee boots. I suppose the ones that will see me through the night walking a bit unsteadily probably.

DINNER - has yet to be decided.

Right! Time for arse to be shifted into gear mode...........

Menu of the Day further down the page.

Friday we are going to the Blogmeet in Liverpool. Well.
After gathering up my wits, I booked a hotel and looked into booking a ticket for the train. As Mr A is already in Derbyshire, we've agreed that I'll get the train to Crewe, where he can meet me, then we'll drive up to Liverpool in his works van.

I was delighted, when I checked the ticket prices to see it was cheapest fare £18, one way. That's quite good I thought, so I told Mr A and said I'd recheck it all today.
Because, I've realised, I have come to dislike buying things, or checking timetables online. I don't know what it is, but I feel nervous, especially when I have to give the credit card number.
Anyway, rechecking today, I realized that it's too late to buy a ticket first. So, checking the time that I want to leave and the fare for it, it appears to be a lot more. £32 for advance, I guess that's buying the ticket before you go. The £18 ticket was only for travelling after 6pm! Damn! There's another price of £42, and another, so I don't know which one I'll have to pay.
Our station (bless) doesn't have a ticket office, only a signal box with a person in it that you can't easily get to. So I'll have to wait till I get on the train before I know how much the ticket's going to be. I don't feel like driving up, so I'll just think positive, that I haven't been anywhere for a long time.
I've got to find out what side of the platform I have to wait on. This station is a request one, where you have to stick your hand out to get the driver to stop. So I'll dance and wave to make sure I'm noticed!

DINNER
Black Haddock Fillet, with Fresh Lime Juice
Last Nights Aubergine Casserole leftovers

Very nice it was too, the tomato sauce from the casserole compliment the fish well.

Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream.

Morrisons haven't had my usual delicious ice cream, the Walnut Delight one, with Advocaat Flavour and Chocolate in it. So, I've had to buy another one, not so good.

I'm so excited to be going away, it's been a long time since we stayed anywhere away from home. In fact, it might have been the last blogmeet, about a year ago!

T.V. CRISIS!
My tv suddenly lost ITV just when 'I'm a Celeb' came on. Oh no! I managed to find it on another channel, but with no sound. Damn! I'm really getting into it now. Yes, I've been reeled into the drama and personality observation show.
So, in desperation, I tried to get it on the internet. YES!! I could! Also, I can get ITV2, which I can't get on the tv. I don't know what's happened to the tv, could still get BBC.
So, I took out the aerial, fiddled with the scart lead.
Then I found I couldn't even get a picture, just a bad signal notice over the screen.
Really buggered up this evenings viewing then.

Still, that's not going to get me down. As long as I can see Spooks on Tuesday.

DINNER
Aubergine, Sausage and Halloumi Cheese Casserole in Tomato Sauce
Fresh Asparagus

I tried the casserole a different way this time, a lazier way. Usually I put the aubergine in a dish and bung it in the oven and cook the tomatoey oniony sauce separately then add it to the casserole. This time I just bunged it all in the oven cold. Well, it was ok, but not as nice as the previous method.

Just watched 'Spooks', both episodes, the second one on BBC3. Wow! A fantastic programme, really exciting, excellent writing. One of the best dramas I've seen.

Now, I've gotta sort out this weekend, the blogmeet in Liverpool.
I've got to book a room and book a train. Mr A is in Derbyshire this week, so I'm going to get a train to Crew and he can meet me there, then we can drive up together.
Not quite as exciting as Spooks, but it's going to take some juggling to get there.

My lifestyle has been so locally orientated for quite a long while, so going away is a bit of a thing for me, especially going on my own for the first bit.
So, I'd better get cracking and sort it out.

DINNER
Baked Potatoes with Butter n Cheese
Prawn Cocktail in a Tub
Sushi in a Box

The only thing I cooked tonight was the potatoes, I chucked them in the oven basically.

Studio recording called off as Carol has a stomach ache. Just as well really as I've been driving so much past few days it's nice to have a day off.
The concert went really well. It was packed out. A lovely function room in the Dylan Thomas Theatre, with chandeliers!

Getting regular emails from the in-laws who are on holiday in Malaysia and the far east, having a wonderful time, even with monsoon weather.

Still waiting to hear from the Pension Agency....

LUNCH
Baked Beans on Toast with a Slurp of Worcestershire Sauce on Homemade Bread.

DINNER
Organic Pork Chops
Boiled Potatoes
Cabbage from t' garden

Off shortly to sing for a charity benefit to provide means to get water in Africa.
Felt really tired this morning, sleep around 2 so I guess that's why I just feel like not much today.hes
We had a car rally go through from 12.30-2am with car roaring past sounding like big motorbikes. We had been told they were coming weeks ago, I'd forgotten about it, and also forgotten to tell Mr A. He wasn't best pleased! I'd hate to have been driving around these narrow country lanes in the middle of it. I can imagine, pootling along, a huge roar behind me as this monster of a car wants to overtake at breakneck speed.

Mr A as usual has done about half a dozen things, gardening, loading the van with wood, pottering around outside. It is actually a nice day.

DINNER
Fresh Organic Asparagus
Spag Bog with Organic Spaghetti
Salad a la Moi with Feta Cheese

Walnut Vanilla and Chocolate Ice cream

BARGAINS OF THE DAY
Brass Door Handles (3 pairs) £2 a pair. Brass Door Knobs (5 pairs)£2.50 a pair
Wardrobe - £5 (new)
Yes, I've been to Crazy Macs again and found some treasures.
Because of the wardrobe, Mr A and I have rearranged the bedroom and the music room. The bed has been moved round the other way, so tables on either side (matching ones that Mr A made). Moving out 2 chest of drawers into the music room and turning my roll top desk so it leaves a whole wall free. Well, it was free for about 5 minutes till the 2 chest of drawers got placed against it. Still, there's a lot more room now as I've chucked out the table I had the computer on which was huge. The lap top is now on the roll top desk, a legacy from my dad, a beautiful walnut with lots of compartments inside the top. I do enjoy rearranging a room so it looks better!

Match of the Day is on now, so Mr A is happy. We spent a pleasant day bottling his home brew beer which should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Enjoyed Nick Harper, he was really good. I'll put the pic up when I download it from the mobile.
Gig tomorrow at a theatre in Swansea after Mr A and I deliver a van full of firewood to someone in town.
It really is good firewood, seasoned and burns really hot. We've been toasty with it on the Rayburn.
I still haven't needed to light the woodburner yet, well, once this year, it's still quite mild.
So, on that fascinating piece of information, I'll say goodnight.

DINNER
Baked Potatoes with Melted Butter, Ratatouille and Cheese
Chicken Soup made from Sundays leftovers with added Vegetables.

I wasn't the most popular person of the evening, when I suggested we watch Lynn do her trial on t.v. at singing rehersal on monday evening. At that time we were drinking tea and chatting, so I thought, might as well see how Lynn copes with all those creepy crawlies. Only Anna has been watching 'I'm a Celeb etc' so she was up for it, but I got some disapproval from the others.
However, it did get turned on for a bit so I watched it after all!

With regard to Lynn and her meditating. I thought the idea of it was to find a quiet place, surround yourself with peaceful vibes and get on with it. Not sitting in front of a communal fire, with lots of activity happening and people around and asking them all to be quiet while meditating!
If there was a biscuit to be taken - then she would have it!
Yes, I'm enjoying it this year, and even Mr A, who wouldn't normally watch a reality tv show has been watching it with me, and getting into it.
With Marks outrageous flirting with Cerys, no wonder his live-in girlfriend is furious!
Can you imagine watching your partner calling someone else 'darling' and constantly seem to have an arm draped around her being all lovey-dovey! You'd be furious too! See, that's how involved I've become, treating my emotions to a full airing over people I don't know.....

Tonight I'm going to see Nick Harper tonight in Swansea at a lovely intimate venue, very small so you can have a great view of him. Last time I saw him there he started off by leaping from table to table playing the most amazing guitar non-stop.
This time, with this camera phone I'll be able to download any pics I take. The photo taken last time is still on my old phone, trapped.

So, there's a mountain of washing up to tackle and general tidying up to do.
I lost the opal stone out of a ring last week. It's somewhere in the house, so I haven't hoovered yet in case it's on the floor. It's the most beautiful opal, full of colour which I bought when I visited my sister in Australia.
I dowsed last night to ask where it was.
Firstly, I ask if the pendulum would work with me. I got a yes.
Then I asked in the stone was in this room.
No.
I went from room to room, and in the bedroom I got a yes.
I looked around but couldn't see it. Then I thought to specify the questions.
'Is it on the floor?'
'No.'
'Is it in the bed?'
'No.'
'Is it in a drawer?'
'Is it in some clothes?'
'Yes.'

Aha! So I've looked a bit around, as there are some piles of clothes on different surfaces, washing up basket etc but can't see it. So I'll carry on looking. Unless, of course, this pendulum has a sense of humour and is chuckling away at me looking in entirely the wrong place!

Still waiting to hear from the Pensions Agency whether or not I can celebrate or get depressed.......

As I am in town for the evening to reherse with Scarabella, I decided to go for Sushi. I had
California Roll, with Cucumber, Avocado, Bright Orange Fisheggs, they call Caviar, but it's not, Crab Stick, Mayonaise, Lettuce

Eel and Rice Roll, with, well, Eel, Rice and Cucumber
The usual Washabi, which is bright green horseradish that gets your nose steaming with the hotness, and pickled ginger, which is sweet and well...gingery.

Mr A has arrived safely at the digs where he will be for the rest of the week whilst he works.
Liberty's mum came down earlier and asked if my head had been itching.
'Err, no, why?' I asked with sinking feeling that this conversation was going to centre around nits and the getting rid of them scenario.
'I have nits. Actually London nits.' She said, explaining that London nits were hard to get rid of, probably like some superbug, they have evolved into armour incrusted bugs who bite off the edge of a nit comb.

So, since then, I have had a few itchy moments, not sure if it's just cos I know there's a possibility that I might have them.
After a close comb through Liberty's hair, her mother couldn't find any eggs, so it may just be her mother who has them. She'll be sleeping in bug killing shampoo tonight, to be washed off in the morning.
I expect most parents of school going children will have encountered these little buggers at some point by now.
They spread by swinging from one hair up onto another head of hair. A bit like Tarzan swinging through the jungle.

SPIDER SHOCK NEWS
So I gets in the car, ready to drive to town, and pull down the visor, as there's a bit of sun. Soon after I set off I catch a swinging shape out of the corner of my eye. I focus, and AHHH! it's a spider dangling on a thread of web from my visor, right IN FRONT OF ME!!!
What to do? What to do? I can't stop as I'm in a narrow country lane.
I grab my hat off the seat, open the window and swing it out, hoping that it doesn't drop off into my lap on the way.
Quick look around, nope, it's gone.
Phew!
It was one of those yellow fat bodied ones with patches, fairly big.
If I were dispassionate about it, I'd say it was attractive.

That reminds me of something that happened to my sister who lives in Australia. A true story.
She was driving along, and like me, pulled down the sun visor.
There, sitting on the inside of it, right in front of her face was a Huntsman Spider.
Now, these are big buggers. I mean size of your hand big.
She couldn't pull over at that point and so had to drive on with this monster in front of her.
We come from sturdy stock, I tell you!

So, the girls are here, so I'd better go and we can chat, er I mean, reherse. We are headlining next Sunday and going into the studio to record next week, so there's lots to do.

Have a great evening all.

DINNER
Roast Chicken
Roast Potatoes
Cabbage from t'garden
Organic Carrots

Mr A's homemade Apple Pie

As Mr A has hurt his back and has to stand up, he decided to make an apple pie, and brew more beer since he was upright and likes to be busy. Poor thing didn't sleep that well last night, as turning over was painful. So, a steady diet of Neurofen should see him through the day. He may delay going away for work and take a day's rest tomorrow instead of driving up.

Made some more bread - it takes 5 mins to chuck in the ingredients, but 3 hours to cook in the bread maker. I use flour with seeds in, it's very nice. I've got into have an 'American' breakfast recently, peanut butter and jam on toast.

Last night was really windy. It blew the Yucca plant over which is about 7ft now. I brought it into the lean to now, so it's safe.

Ooo it's a dark and wet day. I went off to Spar for a few supplies and found my car wouldn't start! Sometimes it does this. Something to do with an automatic choke. Mr A reckons it gets stuck. Anyway, it took a while to start, but it did get going in the end. I'm taking it for a service tuesday, which is worth it cos it'll help keep it going through the winter.
Luckily, my car mechanic lives and works next door. Not too near, and we can't hear any noises from there. He is a trustworthy person, and nice to boot, it takes a lot of pressure off about car problems.

2 of my regular friends have taken time off from blogging. Juzzzy and Going Somewhere. Bit of a shame, as I enjoyed reading their blogs. Still not gone forever and hope they'll be back before too long.

Ooo the Liverpool blogmeet is creeping up soon! Looking forward to it.
Going to see Nick Harper on Wednesday in Swansea, the same place I saw him before. He is a fantastic guitarist and really nice guy. I went with Scarabella, and we were lucky enough to perform a song for him after his gig. He said it was the high spot of his evening! We were all blown away by his performance, and I like his songs too.

I should hear from the Pension Board whether I get the full pension next week. After waiting for many many months to get to this point, I'm trying not to think about it in case I get disappointed. A lot of my future rests on their decision though, gulp.

The birds are on the feeders constantly now and get through a fat ball a day! We had a nuthatch which is quite rare. Mostly though it's tits, great, blue, coal and marsh. Being able to see the birds so close is a perk of autumn/winter for sure.

OK, LISTEN UP YOU DURDY RAT. HERE'S DE DINNER

Pasta Shmasta wid de Shpicy Tomaytow Sors
Salad - Whdja need salad for, for gawds sakes I'm sitting here! I'm sitting here!
Ged outta my face, you durdy rat!

Actually, probably some of you younger readers may never have heard of Jimmy Cagney. He was in gangster movies basically and talked tough. So there you go. Next time I'll pick the style of someone a bit more modern.....

Mr A is adding a bit extra to the second hand door he is fixing in the front room. For some reason, the doorway is higher than the standard. Then this house doesn't have a standard size of anything. Being built of wood, straight, level walls, windows and doors don't figure. Anyway, he was sanding away and got a bad twinge in his back and couldn't move. The muscle had gone into spasm. So I packed the tools away and he has had to sit down and not do any work till it gets better. I had a similar thing a few years ago. It's an awful thing, you get a shooting pain in your back and can't move because it hurts so much.
Thank goodness it seems to be easing up now.

The greenhouse is now up and he has been leveling the ground for the other greenhouse to go in. It's great to be able to shove the garden tools away somewhere dry in the garden and not have to carry them all back down to the house. Oooo I want orchids, I want exotic plants, I want a Chelsea Flower Show in my garden next year.

So X Factor, then I'm a Celebrity etc. That's this evening sorted!

DINNER
Fresh Asparagus - I'd like to say home grown (they are just whispy fronds in little pots so far) but they are from Peru. A place I'd love to visit but not that bothered.

Morrisons Best Pork and Bramley Apple Sausages
Mashed Potato with Lashings of Butter
Salad a la Moi

Mr A really likes these sausages with apple, so I texted him the Menu of the Day and he texted back that he'd come home as soon as he could.
While he's been at work in the Cardiff office, I've been recovering gently from a late night/early morning session of playing live music. Bleary eyed, I actually got up around 10.30ish, after telling Rhiannon that
'O I'll be up at the same time as you and leave when you go to work.'
Yeh, right. The sofa was quite comfy and I did manage to get some sleep in between cats trying to get on the sofa with me. Rhiannon has 3 cats, and as she will tell you, they are her babies.
There's Ellie, who is the fattest cat I've ever seen. She has a belly hanging down like a skirt. Very sweet natured and about 13 yrs old.
Jimmy, a grey, black and white cat who keeps himself to himself. Nice enough though.
Then there's Oscar. A fluffy black cat. The first time I saw him, as a little kitten, I knew he wasn't going to want to be a pampered pet. There was a look of fierce independance in his eyes. Sure enough, he's always going off for a few days, even a week at a time, and returns as if nothing has happened.
Some cats like being petted, hugged and stroked. Not Oscar though. I can see that he really doesn't like being picked up, though by now (4 years on) he tolerates it grudgingly.

Yes, I am actively looking for a kitten. The words actively is not to be taken literally. Actually, I've done nowt about it but expect the Universe to answer my call for a kitty kat.

There is a partially painted skirting board in the front room which I started then abandoned as Liberty came to visit and demanded total attention after watching me paint for a while, then got bored.
So, the weekend should see me with my old sweatshirt on slapping on 2 shades of green on the woodwork, and possibly may get the walls painted as well. I chose a lemony yellow. It looks fresh and clean with the 2 tone green. I love working with colours!

I've just forwarded a prayer sent from a friend that she asked me to send on to 11 people. Well, I only managed 6, it takes time! Basically a positive prayer for peace. The only thing that rankled a bit was talking about god as a 'he.'
Even as a child it didn't seem right to me to put a male identity on some being designated as god.

In the end though, I guess we're talking about a being that should transend gender and be a blob of light, emitting rays of kindness and compassion (but not doing anything about war).
No, I guess the Supreme Being can't be interfering in human affairs, where would it end? The Being Formally Known as 'He' could be smiting so many baddies that - Ok, I'll allocate my own dual-gender pronoun - Shehe, wouldn't have any time for relaxing and chilling out.
Some of you might point out that Shehe can manipulate time, along with everything else, being omniwhatsit, so can have as much time as Shehe wanted.

Right, enough about god, back to meeeee!
We had a good music practice, and I managed to write down a few chords that sounded good and ideas for song themes.
So I've got some homework to do before next week. O yes, it's going to be a weekly thing till we're together enough to let ourselves loose on the general public.
Finding somewhere to play won't be a problem, there are lots of open mike nights in pubs and clubs in town. (This is where performers come to play without being paid, just to get an airing in front of crowds, with free drinks thrown in (not literally though)).

Favourite flavour crisp of the month?
Salt n Vineger.

Off to Swansea shortly, so will be eating out. Mr A will have to fend for himself. Not a difficult job with leeks and spinach in the garden.

A musical evening for me, taking keyboards along to tootle to the stars in full boogie funk style!

Had Liberty for a visit earlier. Had a game of 'Pickasticks.' She was surprisingly dexterous for a just 3yr old, showing patience as well, in order not to move the no go sticks. Most people know this game, but I'll tell you about it anyway. You have about 50 think sticks which you hold in a bundle, then let go, so they are scattered over the floor, many right next to each other and lying on top of each other. The idea is to pick up one stick at a time without moving any of the others.
She is usually a bit cack handed, so I was delighted to see her so patiently concentrating on playing the game like an adult would.
I learnt a new nursery rhyme from her, here it is.

Miss Molly had a dolly,
the dolly was sick sick sick.
Miss Molly called the doctor
to come and see her quick quick quick.

That's it!
Making me think about my Dr's surgery. It is all women including receptionists. There are 3 female drs, and at the surgery in the next village, there are 3 female g.p's there too.
Just an observation, not an opinion.

The birds are coming thick and fast now. We have; Blue Tits, Marsh Tits, Great Tits, Tree Creepers, Robins but haven't seen any Chaffinches yet. A Golden Chaffinch is a treat for the eyes, red and golden colour.
It's certainly getting colder now, waiting for the last minute before bringing in the Yucca Plant.
So, time to get in the bath, then straighten my hair afterwards. It does make quite a difference, I can see now why women use straighteners. I don't use them all the time though, as it lasts quite a while.
I'm rambling now, you see, I love typing, even if my thoughts aren't keeping up with my fingers, I'll type any old rubbish just for the exercise and nimble feeling I get whilst typing.
As I can touch type, literally write at the speed of thought, it's not difficult for me to slap away at the old keys. Why they are called keys anymore I don't know. More like flattened buttons.

Which reminds me. As a young child, I wanted to be a check-out person at a supermarket, because I wanted to press the buttons on a till. I found it very enticing, but now the tills are all flat and doesn't seem like the fun it used to be. (Fun for me anyway.)
In fact, buttons aren't pressed anymore for items, as they are whisked over a red light to be buzzed through with an automatic reading of the price.

Yes, really rambling now..........so a quick Columbo moment...
Just one last little question Sir...........

DINNER
Baked Aubergine and Halloumi Cheese Casserole in Spicy Sundried Tomato Sauce
Baked Potatoes
Salad a la Moi

Very, very delicious. We haven't eaten it yet, but it smells gorgeous! Lots of garlic in between the layers of cheese and aubergine. I cooked the tomato sauce separately then added it after the aubergines had brown off in the oven.

Had a good shopping experience at Morrisons. They should pay me as I'm always talking about what I buy there.
Got a nice wooden cheese board with 2 cheese knives and a cheese slice. £2.99.
Got the latest Spiderman3 dvd.
I'm the reverse of those people who boast about how much they spend on something. I'm always proud of how little I pay for things!

Mr A is happy. He is singing along and tapping his foot to some Europop he's listening to as he's working. He's had a good day in between working on the computer. He cleared the side of the house of a load of wood that's been there for nearly 3 years. It was a shed he built just before we moved from our last house. A purpose built shed, with decking out front. He managed to build our deck platform here out of it, but there was quite a bit left.

I had my grandaughter Liberty down for a visit this afternoon. She had a new toy we played with. It was a mini slide and steps that a duck and a dog could climb up, then slide down. It's quite clever. There's a button to press that lifts the steps so they climb up, unaided, then at the top they slide down to the bottom.

I played the rock n roll version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Baa Baa Black Sheep, and she danced around the room to it.
I also tap danced in the bathroom while she was having a poo. (Maybe too much information?)
She is supposed to have chicken pox, but she seemed fine to me.

As dinner has yet to be decided, I thought I'd blog anyway, and take a little trip down memory lane, to share a memory with you.
It's a traumatic event that I can remember clearly, although it happened 26 years ago. I had just moved to Wales with my 11yr old son from Ireland and was living with a friend, Hilary, who had a son the same age. The boys went out for a ride on bikes, the one my son had was borrowed. They were told to be careful on roads, as it was near a main road, though not a busy one.

I walked to the shop and as I was walking back up the hill I had a strong feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was a horrible, icy feeling that something dreadful had happened. I started to run, for no particular reason other than I felt I needed to be somewhere up ahead. I remember one of my shoes (clogs) came off, so I kicked off the other one, making it easier to run faster. Then, in the near distance, I saw a little crowd, standing around a figure in the road, lying down. My heart thumped, and I knew it was my son, although no one had said anything.

He was lying in front of a van. The driver was saying that the boy on the bike just came out from nowhere and he ran into him. He said that the boy leapt onto the bonnet of the car, but the bike went under the front wheels. Jumping up onto the car must have saved his life. I leant down and took his hand and told him everything would be alright. He answered, a little groggily, but he was awake and conscious.
I then prayed, as I've never prayed before, that he be ok.
The ambulance came and took him to hospital. I travelled with him. Then waited for the doctor's verdict.
He was ok, apart from a few scratches and bruises.
Phew!

What a presence of mind he must have had to leap up onto the bonnet of the car rather than be run over. Also, I learned, that the bike's brakes failed. He had come out of a side turning, put on the brakes, and they didn't stop the bike from carrying on straight into the main road, into the path of a van.

It seems like a dream now, unreal, as I could have so easily have lost him. That doesn't bear thinking about.

So, this post is dedicated to all of you who have lost a child. Whether through accident, separation or any other way, my heart opens in compassion for your loss.

DINNER
Cauliflower and Chicken Curry
Spinach from the Garden
Basmati Rice

Llanboidy Cheese. Organic Goats Cheese. Poppyseed Crackers

There are 2 peppers on my plants, which have turned a lovely rich red now. We had one yesterday, so there's one left.
If you ever see Llanboidy Cheddar cheese buy some! It is a delicious cheddar made here in Wales with a unique taste, not too strong, but very nice.

Been painting a door frame and skirting boards on the floor and near the ceiling.
We are going to be a 2 shade of green woodwork and yellow wall room. I do enjoy painting. Learning the technical names for things. Like the very fiddly bit of painting a straight line on the edge is called 'cutting in.' You need a steady hand and lots of patience.

I can't resist picking up those deep maroon coloured leaves that you see this time of year and adding them to my nature altar. Autumn seems to evoke memories of earlier autumns. I can remember being really cold at this time of year before. Now, it's quite mild. Haven't needed a coat yet. Have not had a hard frost yet either. So the Yukka plant is still ok outside.
Dum de da.
Been wondering what an earth so many people find interesting about my blog, as the visitor numbers have increased lately. It must be down to the Menu of the Day, I hope I've inspired some of you to find fresh food, preferably organic to eat and ditch the junk, fast foods.
Saying that, I got a veggie burger from a stall today. It was not tasty, it was filling, but that was all.

Looking for a kitty now. The mice are leaving us alone since. Erm...since Mr A put naughty bait down. Otherwise we were getting overrun with them. They've taken the bait and not been back. Don't like to do it, but they weren't invited, and didn't leave when asked to.....

Liberty has chicken pox. I can't remember if I've had it or not, yes, I'm that old!
Going for another music rehersal on thursday with Paul, the brilliant musician. Mr A may come along and play drums on part of his kit. The room isn't big enough for a full kit. I've got to write some words to finish off a song that I've written the music to.

Still waiting to hear if I get a full pension....it's been a long wait, but shouldn't be long now.
Once I know what's happening about it I can plan a bit for the future, and decide what I want to do. At the moment, it's a bit like being in limbo.

Anyhoo, enjoying Spooks tonight, and watching 'I'm a celebrity etc'. Haven't heard of most of the people there, I certainly wouldn't call them celebrities. There seems to be a nice, laid back camp, and another full of strong women constantly rowing and bossing each other about. I know what camp I'd rather be in...the laid back one!
No worries!

DINNER
Yup, It's going to be Roast Chicken
Roast Potatoes
Leeks from t'garden
Organic Carrots
Heavenly Gravy

Mr A has been out in the garden all morning, it's a lovely day. I de-weeded the steps leading up the terraces yesterday and uncovered some steps that hadn't yet seen the light of day. Pulling weeds out is a bit like pulling hair out, all those little roots that come away with a tearing sound from the earth.....

Noticed that one of the Passion Flowers is out! They are amazing flowers, they have 2 levels, like 3d chess with a deep purple ring like a bullseye in the middle. They were only planted this year, so am delighted they've come up already.
Any inspiration about what to write has dried up. So I'd better get on with some work.
Today I shall be banging in nails, filling the hole with putty, then painting an undercoat prior to painting the door frame and skirting board. It's a job that's been waiting for the right tool. A punch, so now there's no excuse not to do it. Ho hum...

DINNER
Spag Bog with organic spaghetti
Cabbage from the Garden

Walnut and Advocaat Flavour Ice Cream

Salt n Vinegar Crisps with Minty Yoghurt Dip

The meal continued for a while. I included the crisps because it was only about an hour later that I had them.

Got emails from Molly and Eve. Molly has started belly dancing after Eve's Kung Fu. Should be interesting!
I told Mr A that I fancied going to Salsa classes and asked if he'd come too. At first he declined, because he would tower above everyone else (he's 6'5"). I told him that people in all shapes and sizes go to Salsa and that he should come if he's at all interested. I want an excuse to dress up and wear heels! Yes, I am a feminist, we can wear heels too you know! As well as dancing, of course.
My mate Brenda goes to Salsa and says it's great fun - and very sensual! I love watching men that can dance, and hold themselves straight as they move proudly to the music. A lot of men though feel inhibited about such public display.

Well, my bath awaits. Mr A is watching footie, we parted company when it came on.....

LAST NIGHT'S DINNER
Welsh Beef Steak and Ale Pie - Made by a very good bakers. A bit pricey, but worth it. £3.75.
Baked Potatoes
Cauliflower
Organic Carrots
Shallots from t'garden

Oooo, where to start about the last 2 evenings! I know, I'll work backwards.
Last night Mr A went for a band practice at a neighbours while I continued to read a John Le Carre book, The Mission Song. So far so good. It gets better.
Mr A came back about 9.30, and I dished up this delicious Steak n Ale Pie, while we watched 'Oceans 13' on dvd.Gawd, you had to pay attention! There's so much going on, I think I'll enjoy it second, and third time around, where I'll catch up on all the nuances I missed this time. Anyhoo. It was a great dinner, and good film. That's it!

Thursday evening saw me trek over to Swansea, electric keyboards and guitar in the boot of my car. My mission? To play music with the very talented Mr Paul, who is a shot hot musician and singer.
Wayellllll........with Rhiannon, (my singing mate and Mr Paul's girlfriend) making drinks and pancakes, we had an absolutely STORMING session! I haven't enjoyed playing the piano with another instrument for quite a long time. We played jazz, we played blues, we played funk, we played twiddly riffs, we played ballads, we played stuff I didn't know I could play! I found my fingers flying over the keys, sounding like I knew what I was doing, though much of it I'd never played before! I found chords that had been hidden away amongst the keys that gave life to a song and made it sound good. Yes. I had a great time!
So, Mr Paul suggested we get Mr A to play drums and audition for a bass player - and there we have it.
I'm going to be in a band!
A really funky band. A band where you have to move with the rhythmn, a band that makes you move your body to the hypnotic beat. A band with 2 damn fine singers! Hooray!
It's very early days (1 jam so far) but we feel that we have a musical compatibility made in Rock n Roll Heaven.
Mr A is keen too. He knows how well Mr Paul can play, so (as the Dragons' from the Den say) he's in!

Time to go shopping. I have yet to decide what to cook. The likliest probability is that I'll get a chicken to roast for tomorrow, an organic Wye Valley Chicken.
Oooo X Factor later. I'm enjoying it so far. Can't understand how Alicia is still in. She can't sing very well, and her musical phrasing is way naff. Enjoying Niki and Beverley's voices the best so far.

Right. Blogging time is nearly over. Just enough time to mention that the garden birds are back! Putting food balls back in the feeders has encouraged them back, so I can see them now through the window, sitting there pecking away. There's a blue tit. Ah!

Going to town today. Got a mammogram appointment, where your bosoms are crushed and looked at by a machine to check for any bits that shouldn't be there. Ho hum. Exciting eh?
Later though, I'm going to a mate's house for a musical jam with Paul. He is an exceptionally talented musician who's been having a hard time healthwise recently, having a thyroid problem. Jackfrost's blog was very helpful, as it gives his story and journey about hypothyroidism, so I forwarded that onto Paul. There's nothing so reassuring as someone else having the same problems and telling you how they dealt with it - the ups and the downs. Mostly downs though.
Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to playing music with another person, as it helps me to grow musically with new ideas. Also I find it helps to play with someone better than myself, and he is, according to Mr A, sh*t hot, a much better guitarist than me, so I'll play piano. Blues, boogie n reggae being styles we both really enjoy playing. Hoorah!

Mr A assures me that he will be able to transfer the video of Scarabella onto the computer, so I'll collect that from Carol today. Hopefully it'll be posted soon....don't hold your breath though.....

Right. Time for a bath, then change from slob to girl-about-town chic!

Hoorah! Another photo I've had space to download. This is a simple Stir Fry in the wok. All the work is in the preparation of the vegetables. I had it with noodles and Soy Sauce. Very tasty.

More photos coming up!

Hoorah! I had enough space for this photo. It's a side dish of olives, spicy Green Peppers and Red Pepperdew Peppers. I made this the other day to go with a Stir Fry - I've got some photos of that too!

DINNER
Smoked Bacon in Spicy Tomato Sauce with Sweet Red Pepper
Organic Pasta Twirls
Salad a la Moi with Feta Cheese

I think there's an Italian name for this dish, but using bacon instead of ham. Also using half a chilli gives it a bite without burning the mouth.
Yup, very tasty.

Mr A went to a neighbour to watch the Arsenal match, as it was on Sky, which we can't get here because of all the trees in the way.
He's just come back. They couldn't get it on t.v., so listened to it on the radio.

Hells Kitchen final was on earlier. I enjoyed it, the first one I've seen of Gordon Ramsey's competitive cookery fest. Each service, as they call it, seems like a marathon of endurance. Mostly enduring Ramsey's swearing and taunts up close and personal. Facing that every evening doesn't seem like a job for anyone who prefers an easy life. I didn't realise that being a chef could be so dramatic, cooking on a knife edge!

Good news! The ganglion I had on my wrist has almost gone. It was starting to be a problem, hurting when I used my hand, so limiting what I could do. I don't know if it's all the guitar playing I've been doing lately, using the wrist a lot, picking out riffs, but it's done the trick. I also did some Reiki on it, so that may have helped as well. It was a really hard lump, now I can hardly feel a little squishy bobble there.
I'm going to see if I can download any of my photos into my media - if I've any space left as I've now put all my photos from camera and phone onto the computer. There's some beauties.

DINNER
Pork Chops made from Outdoor Reared Pigs
Mashed Organic Potatoes
Leeks from t'Garden

We had leftover, leftover Chicken Soup as a stop gap just now, and was great, even though that chicken had been lasted 3 meals.

What amazing colours we have around us now! I had to pick up some leaves and lay them on the table, like a mini altar to the gloriousness of changing seasons. A maroon and bright yellow leaf, and a yellow and green oak leaf. There's a chill in the air, so tonight Matthew, I'm lighting the woodburner as well as having the Rayburn going.

I took down the bean poles and the remains of the dwarf beans. They did well, there were still some on the plant, but a bit too woody to eat now. Next to go is the runner bean poles. Mr A may have to do it as they are really high - I can't reach the top of them.
A general sweep up of the leaves, and put in the compost for mulch.

Oooo Spooks tonight! Hooray!

I didn't go to the impro session last night. I got too damn cosy with Mr A after dinner. As I was going on my own, I wasn't letting anyone down. Next month, some friends will be coming, so that'll be the kick up the arse I may need to go out after dark. I took a photo of Mr A, beer in glass on table, packet of Dorritos on lap as he is just putting one in his mouth, looking very relaxed with his feet up, watching telly. I'll post it when I download the phone. Also took a pic of Liberty in her fairy dress, complete with wings. Something for everybody then...

SUNDAY DINNER
Roast Chicken
Roast Potatoes
Cabbage from Garden
Organic Carrots
Gravy from Heaven

Very tasty it was. Sometimes I find after cooking a roast, that I don't have much of an appetite, but I did yesterday!

MONDAY DINNER
Chicken Soup with Organic Veg.
Homemade Bread n Butter
Yup, it's the leftover chicken from yesterday made into nourishing soup. Delicious with homemade bread. I've been using Allison Flour, with seeds in it. Makes a great loaf.

Had all 3 grandaughters down for a visit earlier. Liberty was dressed in her fairy dress, a long pink silk dress with wings to match! We sat around saying stuff like:
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
Red Leather Yellow Leather
She Sells Sea Shells on the Sea Shore
If Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers, how many Pickled Peppers did Peter Piper pick?
etc.
Try to say it lots of times, fast!
We held some sparklers out, writing our names in the light of it. Then it started to rain lightly...

Mr A has got the greenhouse up now, and the plants have been moved into it. Hurray!
I've given 3 coats of varnish to the wooden wall in our front room. It's good varnish, water based, so no polyurethane, doesn't smell at all. It's expensive though....

So, time to get chopping veg., as I'm doing dinner before I go out tonight for the monthly improvisation music session that I wrote about in an earlier post.

Tell you all about it tomorrow...da da da dumdum

DINNER
Cauliflower Curry
Basmati Rice
Salad a la Moi
Extras: Raita, Lime Pickle, Mango Chutney, Naan Bread, Bellvini Hot Peppers, Honeydew Peppers

FRIDAY DINNER
Morrisons Best Pork and Bramley Sausages
Mash with lots of Butter, Ground Black Pepper, Ground Sea Salt, Gravy
Salad a la Moi

Mr A loved friday's dinner, the compliments came thick n fast. Tonights dinner was good, but not quite as good as last nights. I use Pataks Coriander and Lemon Paste for the curry and add my own chilli, for an extra hit. I've only recently discovered just how nice potatoes are in a curry. Definitely recommend them if you're making one. Put them in raw, and cook them along with everything else. They don't overcook that way and retain their shape and taste.

I had a visit from Liberty and her 3yr old friend Holly yesterday. They are both about the same size, 2 little cute girls. We sat on the swing seat, all cosied up and I told them stories. They wanted a scary story, so I told them the 'Dark Dark' one. If you haven't heard it, here it is. As you can see, it's suitable for 3yr olds. They loved it and made up their own stories after that, usually involving pretty princesses, butterflies and rainbows.

In a dark dark land there was a
dark dark house. In the
dark dark house was a
dark dark room. In the
dark dark room was a
dark dark cupboard. In the
dark dark cupboard was a man,
trying to fix a fuse.

Told you it was corny!

With Mr A back it's back to house renovating business. I've been varnishing the wooden wall in the lounge. Mr A put it in recently, replacing all the old timber, so it looks like the wall of a sauna in there. The varnish I used is not polyurethane, or plastic at all. It's water based, which makes it more expensive, but doesn't smell and is better all round. 2 coats so far, and I'll do one more tomorrow.
Mr A has been putting in foundations for the greenhouse on the top terrace in the back garden. He had to lug heavy sleepers (big pillars of wood) up the stairs to garden. He used a winch and Taff, our neighbour came to help.
The greenhouse frame is up. Hooray! Just the glass to go in now.
As winter (where is it?) is approaching we need somewhere for the overwintering plants to go, like asparagus and globe artichokes. It'll be full in no time.

Molly and Eve, my 14 and 11yr old grandaughters are staying with their dad, next door for a few days.
Molly wanted to borrow some footless tights for a party. It does me good to know that my grandaughter feels happy to wear my clothes! She is almost as tall as me already.

It's great to have Mr A back after 15 days away working.He managed one day of rest, he sat around reading for a day, I bought 2 new Terry Pratchett books which is such a treat!
Footie's on now, so he's a happy bunny.
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