DINNER
Smoked Mackerel
Fried Potatoes
Salad a la Moi

I asked Mr A what he wanted to eat tonight, and he came up with this. Good choice!

So I went to see the psychic lady today, as arranged 2 weeks ago, and I couldn't wait to find out what she was like.....She lives about 6 miles away. Not going into lots of detail, but she had a few messages for me and some of my family from 'the spirit world.' It took a while, cos at first she would ask me if a particular name would mean anything and I'd say 'no.' This went on for a bit until she mentioned the name of someone I do know who passed over, and a very encouraging message it was too.
I feel I might dilute the contents of the meeting if I tell all, so sorry folks, but you'll have to be happy with a general mish mash of the whole thing.
It was a very positive reading and reaffirmed that I need, and want to get on with the next stage in my life. She did say that I could work with wood or clay in an 'arty' way, and also teach classes, either from home or in a school.?. I haven't sculptured anything in my life before and wouldn't know where to start, but...I'd be willing to have a go.
That's what is good about someone giving you ideas about creative things that could be done, something new and untried, always worth a shot, but I doubt that Anthony Gormley need worry that he would lose any commissions to me!
There was a message from a female relativee. She correctly identified how she died and said some things that were feasible to me. Again, I don't want to go into details when something is so personal, but take my word for it, she was spot on at times.
Rosie is a little dog who was hankering after attention, and kept getting it which was starting to annoy me a bit, as I wanted to get going and get the attention for myself. So I asked Rosie if she would keep quiet, because I was going to get a reading.
So she came and sat on my lap and fell promptly asleep!
This medium holds spiritual awareness groups once a week in our local town. She invited me to come along as she thought I would get on with the other people that came along. Well, I think I'll give it a go, meet some new people....and spirit guides...and possibly some angels.....

Mr A could qualify for angel status as he has done 2 days worth of washing up! This was while I peeled the spuds for dinner. You see, what had happened was...there was a bubble of air in the hot water pipe, so it only came out in a thin trickle. The only way to sort it is to suck out the air bubble, before the water starts to run too hot. So because I don't like to do it (I'm a lady), I waited for him to do it. Meanwhile the washing up has been piling up..

Had a very nice morning in the woods with Mr A. I was using the log splitter to split up logs that then get bagged for the local petrol station to sell. Mr A was doing a charcoal burn at the same time. The sun was out, it was mild, and a flask of hot tea and granola bar made it perfect.

Right! Time for me to start frying the spuds and put the mackerel into the oven before Torchwood starts.

DINNER
Don't know yet. I've got;
Potatoes
Sausages (frozen)
Carrots
Quorn Mince
Oven Chips
Onions
Garlic
Baked Beans
Bacon
Bucket of Spicy Chicken Wings (alas probably not free range)
Red and Green Peppers

Got some tins of stuff, like meatballs in bolognese sauce, but Mr A doesn't like ready meals, unless they are good ones. So..........I think I might go for a fry-up of chips, bacon, chicken wings and baked beans, with fried peppers. I'm thinking out silently in cyber...

Been a slow day, I've finally drafted the letter I'm going to send to the pensions agency, having amended it many times till I'm happy with it. If they don't break down into tears and award me the claim immediately, then they must be hard hearted buggers. And that's all I've got to say about that. (As Forrest Gump says.)
Mr A got up early to deliver some firewood before driving into work so I've been on my ownio most of the day, except for Liberty coming to the door to say hello. I heard her coming along the path and her mother shouting 'no!' Apparently she had to go home at once to eat as she had been at school, but wanted to come and see me to say hello. Ah! How sweet! So I said hello, gave her a hug and she went happily up the steps to her house.
Now the leak in my car has been fixed, I don't have to bail it out everytime it rains, one less worry in life....

I seem to be baking a fresh loaf every other day, the breadmaker has earnt its keep many times over by now and the price of a loaf of bread. Also the smell of freshly baked bread throughout the house is sublime!
There's nowt on tv, except for dog borstal on later, and it's probably a repeat I've seen anyway. There's a load of reapeats on, I've missed Harry Hill's tv Burp twice this week, but guess what? It's on again tonight, so I will get to see it at last.

Tomorrow I go to see a psychic healer. Feeling quite excited about it. Will I get 'messages' from beyond? I'm sure she's genuine, well if she isn't I'll hopefully see through it, but if she's been doing it for 20 years then it must be working ok for her. Will tell all later tomorrow...

I'm going to have to raise my interest stakes, as this post is even boring me, while I'm writing it! Maybe it's something to do with the Archers being on at the same time and I've got an ear out for it. I find it hard to write while some other noise is going on, not like Mr A who works with music blaring out of his speakers, and he's singing along!
Oooo interesting bit in the Archers...cheerio!

DINNER
Lamb Curry made from leftover Roast Welsh Lamb
Basmati Rice
Nan Bread
Salad a la Moi, with red grapes and fresh Coriander

I added the gravy from yesterday's roast to the curry, and it is superb! I've learned that a couple of potatoes added to a curry really fits in nicely, as they absorb the flavour and bulk it out.

Mr A is lying sparko on the chair. I joined him in the woods today, where he has been splitting logs and winching trees up a bank. I shifted about 7 wheelbarrows full of logs from one place to another, so feel as I've done something today!

Eve (11) and Liberty(3) came down for a visit earlier. It was quite late and Liberty was in a naughty mood, head butting her sister and being a pain generally by not letting anyone speak without getting in their face to take the attention. I'll be generous and put it down to overtiredness, and near her bedtime. Eve is going back home tomorrow after her home education class. She is growing into a lovely girl, really thoughtful and caring. She's actually sold things on ebay! I was impressed, and told her so, as it seems a big thing to me, but then I'm still living in the past, where computers were big and bulky and the internet was something that lay in the future........

So, I'm going to finish this cup of hot chocolate, then wake up Mr A as dinner is ready...

DINNER
Roast Leg of Welsh Lamb
Roast Potatoes
Cabbage from garden
Organic Carrots

Mmmm.........waiting for spuds to crisp up and feeling hungry, with Antiques Roadshow in the background and Mr A commenting on every single item...

Feeling a bit bunged up with a cold today, so although it's been a sunny day I've stayed wrapped around the Rayburn today, not doing much.

Dinner nearly ready now so cheerio for now.

DINNER
Sausage Casserole made from leftovers from last night's similar when it was just a sauce to go with pasta.
It has now been upgraded so it can mix with the posh menus.
Boiled Potatoes with lashings of Butter(left it too late to bake 'em)
Salad a la Moi

After a fairly quiet morning we had a visit from Liberty(4) and Eve (11). Then about 3 hours later Eve's mum, Anna, and her son Bran (7) arrived. Liberty and Bran played together, boisterously and noisily, running through the house playing tag. I then played musical statues with them, they had to stay still when I stopped playing the guitar. It was controlled chaos at least. Actually they were both so cute dancing away in the way that little ones do...
Before Anna arrived Liberty, Eve and I walked into the woods where Mr A was sawing up some logs. We helped him to move logs into one of his bins for storeage. They were both very helpful, and if they were in the Brownies, then they would certainly earn some points.

I devised a game based on a very long flexible branch I found. It could be bent into an arch, so Liberty and I turned it like a skipping rope and Eve skipped over it.
We also paraded down the path in the woods with the stick arched over Eve. She put a piece of wood on her head to be a crown and walked regally along the path, under the arch to cries of;
"All hail Queen of the Forest!"

Yup, you can find the silliest games on this blog! All original, all bonkers! My inner child is not very inner.......

I have been very unselfish this evening. I wanted to watch Harry Hill's t.v. Burp, but Mr A wanted to watch footie. So, did I argue my case? Did I moan? Did I protest?
I did not.
Now that's what I call soul music!

As you can probably tell, I'm feeling a bit silly today. Maybe the effect of the milder, dry weather. Maybe.........

I don't know yet what I'll cook for dinner. Hopefully Mr A will be back around 7ish tonight, though it is a long drive from Glasgow. At least he will be home for a while now. Hurray!

Rehersed last night though it wasn't as good as the previous practice it was still ok. Had a bit of a jam, which is great as it raises the creative level after playing set songs. I've got some homework, namely to add a chorus to a song of mine called 'Walk Tall,' as Mr A is 6ft 5". It goes:

Walk tall my friend,
you have an amazing capacity to be
there as a friend,
whenever, I need you.

Come sit by me,
together we are a good team,
just you and me,
together, forever.

It has a reggae beat to it and is quite uplifting. Quite corny I know, but often the truth is!

Again enjoyed some Sushi and a bowl of Miso Soup. I particularly like the pickled ginger, horseradish (wow, hot!) and soy sauce in a tiny plastic fish. I have become quite a regular in there and as soon as I'm spotted, they say 'usual?' I think I'd prefer to spend an evening in there rather than a pub, could snack all evening, trying different tastes. They do sell beer, so anyone fancying a tipple can get one. I guess I rate eating higher than drinking.

Had a visit from 3yr old Liberty yesterday. As I had the piano out on the stand, we both played around with it. I put on the auto rhythmn and we were dancing around like in a disco to it! She played a few nice little pieces, which I duly applauded as I think encouraging creative talent will help her to do it more.

I've got a difficult letter to write, my appeal to the pensions board and will start on it later this evening. I have to photocopy some letters and reports to go with it, I'm just waiting for one more report to come and then I have, hopefully, enough evidence to convince them that I qualify for the ill health retirement. Also, I will tell them the complete story as to why I had to resign from work, as they didn't have all that information before. It will be like putting in place the final pieces of a jigsaw, so the complete picture will show that I can no longer work as a midwife due to ill health.
I must say that I don't miss work. If I miss anything, then it's the interaction with the women in my care. Being able to share with a stranger such intimacy is a priviledge. I certainly don't miss no meal breaks, the conveyor belt system of having to quickly deal with one women after another and the attitudes of some of my collegues. Some of them take the 'caring' out of 'caring profession.'

Righty ho, must go shopping now, get something fresh for dinner and more veg. Ciao!

DINNER
Leftover Cauliflower Curry with added Courgettes
Sweet Potato with Butter Dollops
Salad a la Moi with Feta Cheese, Pinenuts and Avocado

Managed to remember to make a salad with the meal tonight, and very tasty it was too. I treated myself to an expensive avocado, one that I know wouldn't be black inside, rather than those thicker skinned ones which are cheaper. Cos I'm worth it!
I was so full after the meal that I'm having to wait to have the icecream until there's room in my tum!

Another rainy day, but felt my spirits lift after giving the house a good clean. Hoovered, dusted, tidied, washing done. I love just walking round looking at the rooms and enjoying the tidyness. Because it's a bungalow, I can stand in the corridor and look into one room after another without having to move (except my head). Ah, the simple pleasures of life!

Met the WRVS lady and she told me all about the birth of her daughter, as she knew I was a midwife, in fact she talked more about that than about the volunteering work. I had to steer the conversation back into answering the questions I had. I do find that when women know I've worked as a midwife, they feel they can then tell me all about their pregnancy, birth and anything related to it. I suppose it is a compliment, and sometimes I feel that I am debriefing them, letting them unload stuff that's stayed with them and hasn't been aired. Traumatic birthing experiences should be shared in order for it to get all talked out, then left as a memory that doesn't cause upset, becoming just a memory.
I had thought that with the expenses it might help me keep the car on the road. However, at 40p a mile, and a very small area to do, it looks like I might be earning £1.20p per week, for 3 miles! Still, I knew I wasn't going to do it just for the money which is just as well then, as I don't get the mileage from my house to where I pick up the meals, just the distance for delivering them.

The leak in my car has now been fixed. Hooray! This means I won't have to bail out a puddle behind the driver's seat everytime it rains and I want to go anywhere. Still wanting to get a motor scooter, a 125cc one, with warmer weather coming (yes it will) I could save on petrol using it instead of the car. Actually I really fancy the idea of the wind blowing through my helmet, cruising down the open road seeing everything first hand rather than through a window. I must be regressing, as I feel like a teenager getting their first mode of transport!
Actually, when I was 16 I saved money from a saturday job and bought myself a moped when I was living in London. It was a honda 50 and served me well. I used to drive miles on it and it never broke down. It did get stolen though in the end.

Saw daffodils today on the bank by my house, and the snowdrops are grouped in lots of places, like fairy lamposts....
Mr A texted from Glasgow where he is working till friday. He is fine but knackered, so I advised an early night for him, to try and catch up with his sleep after getting home from France at 4.30am monday.

Tomorrow I go to town for a rehersal, taking my keyboards, stand and guitar along. I've been meaning to practice to the recording I made of the last rehersal and managed one, which helped to sort out a solo during one of the songs. I haven't practiced since though, and that was last week, so tomorrow I should really go through it again so I've got it and can tinkle away when it's the instrumental break!

Good episode of Torchwood again, although I did find it a bit boring in places. A memorable line from the doctor guy in the team when they thought it could be the end of the world. There was himself, Tash, the Chinese girl, Yanto, the sexy Welshman and him (can't remember his name) and he said;
"Let's all have sex!" Yanto made a funny reply which I can't recall, but it was something scathing and dismissive, putting the doctor guy well and truely in his place.

Well, that's all I can think of to post, which is a shame, because I'm sure that somewhere in my memory is a piece of really interesting story that I could have told you. Something will come to mind when I'm lying in bed, or driving the car, doing something completely away from the laptop anyway! I'm rambling on a bit because I am actually really enjoying touch typing at the speed of thought.
Shame the speedy thoughts aren't crowd pullers, ay?

Say lavvy!

DINNER
Cauliflower Curry
Rice

Didn't make salad to go with it tonight, I'd put the salad bowl out, then when it was all ready I just tucked in, forgetting to make the salad! It was fine though, very tasty with added Chillies.

Liberty, 3yr old grandaughter came for another visit today bringing her ukelele along, her mum asked if I could tune it and maybe give her a lesson. Right. Like she is going to sit still and listen to me, take it all in and treat the instrument with respect. No chance!
I tuned to the same as a violin,G/D/A/E - I think that's right. Anyway I played 'twinkle twinkle little star' on it so she would know that you can play it as an instrument and not play with it as a toy.
She was more interested in my thumb piano, and enjoyed playing tunes on that, and making up a song. Basically it is half a coconut with 7 flattened large nails which you pluck with your thumbs, holding it with the rounded part underneath. It makes a pleasant tinny sound and is tuned to notes. It's an African instrument and played rhythmically. I have many unusual instruments including a kazoo, swanee whistle, jews harp, autoharp, percussion bits and pieces.....just bits that I've collected over the years.
I have a marimba that I made, under guidance. It is like a xylophone made out of hard wooden blocks tuned to notes. I just have to string it up, as the block should not rest on anything as it dulls the sound. I've made several attempts, but eventually it breaks. I know I can do it, but being in the right mood...that's another thing.

Mr A arrived home at around 4.30am, I'd waited up till 4, then went to bed, not sleeping till he came in. Poor soul was exhausted, having to drive from Birmingham airport. He left around 2pm today to drive to Glasgow. At least he will be sharing the driving. Even though tired he was in good spirits looking forward to returning friday and staying put for a while.

The seeds in the propagator have come up that he planted, I think they are cabbage. Saw snowdrops out in our garden! Mr A said he saw crocus and daffodil leaves.....
Spring is on the way!
Hurrah!

Thank you Mr Walrus for your advice about how to do an advanced search on ebay. It's made it so much easier. When I told Mr A, he said 'didn't the words search and advanced give you a clue?' He still doesn't realise how technically and computer inept I am!
Decided to get a 125cc moped, Mr A has decided he wants a motor bike! Initially this was all to save money on driving around in a car, but I think it's really about mid-life crisis and wanting to ride around on an motorbike/scooter like a teen!

Time for 'The Baby Borrowers' so I'm off! Ta ra!

DINNER
Lamb Chops
Baked Potatoes
Cauliflower

Liberty, my 3yr old grandaughter was here for a visit this afternoon. I explained about opera,
'ladies sing high and men sing low' I sang in alternative high and low voice.
'It's a story where they sing all the time instead of talk.' So we gave it a go.
She was a natural, even with arm and hand gestures, pointing to things in an over the top way and singing what she wanted to tell me in a sing-song high voice.

We then played on the sofa bed which has a thin mattress that rolls up with the under frame. She sat on the bed with her toys and I rolled the mattress up, like a huge wave (it's blue) coming towards them.
She sat in a wire basket with her toys pretending to be in a boat, paddling out of the way.

Again, I was on ebay till the early hours. I have some photographic equipment that was my dad's. It's good stuff as he was a professional cameraman/photographer. So I looked up lens there were thousands listed, so I trawled through quite a few to get an idea of how much the lens may be worth. There are 8 of them and they have beautiful leather hard cases each, all in new condition. I might as well sell them as I won't use them, they are so complicated, covered with numbers, twizzling parts etc. He has 3 cameras as well, old fashioned heavy ones that the lens fit onto in hard cases. I guess with digital photography these objects are becoming obsolete now, though I guess the lens can still be used.

The moped I bid on has gone up to £30, got 4 days to go though, so I will confer with Mr A when he gets back tonight. It needs a brake fluid reservoir which is why it's so cheap I guess, but it's red, and that attracted me, I love red things! Driving around today in the rain though, I wondered how I'd feel having to go out on the scooter in the wet! Then thought of a device to keep the rain off, like a see-through canopy. That would be good, it could be removeable for dry days....
I looked up 'small cars' and found a website advertising tiny cars made in China. They were mostly electric and would be so cheap to run. This site was for businesses as to register you had to put the name of your business and enquiring about prices, they would give a price dependant on how many were ordered.
So, dreams of opening a Small Car shop started. I'm sure they would be cheap to buy and would be wanted by many in these eco-conscious days. They also had a motorbike with 3 wheels and a big box on the back like the back of a van! I want one! All the vehicals looked really interesting, like Noddy cars, some of them, in bright primary colours. Trawling ebay, there were no cars like that at all, I'm sure they'd sell.

Mr A texted, he's stuck in Lyons, I texted back that there was a big tea house there to get a cuppa while he waited! So eta flexible at the mo....

DINNER
Quorn Escalopes, Brocolli n Cheese
Salad a la Moi

Anyone able to answer these motor bike related questions?
I have had a licence for years with B categorys and the others, but no A, which covers cycles.
Do I have to take a test to ride a 125cc bike? I know a 50cc doesn't need a category A but only goes 30 mph....
I was up till the early hours on ebay bidding on a Suzuki ap50 scooter. I was highest bidder till today at £16.57! Outbid to the sum of £21. I may look for a 125cc in stead as I'm trying to save on using petrol in the car.
I definitely prefer a scooter to a bike.

It's been a boring dull wet day with me on ebay again, checking out scooters. I also checked out small cars. There was a white mini cooper, showroom condition, going for 1p! Some peopl
e had emailed to ask why it was so cheap, and what was wrong with it. The answer just said to email the seller, so I don't know why it was at that ridiculous price. It looked lovely.
One of those times when something looks to good to be true....

Finished a brilliant book, The Algebraeist by Iain Banks. A sci-fi tour de force.

With this laptop with the inbuilt mouse, I have to be careful as occasionally I accidentely tap it and find I've either lost most of the post or started typing in the middle of a paragraph further up the page. Mr A has a mouse he can turn off with his lap top, but I dont think I have one on this. Otherwise it's fantastic and I'm so pleased with it.
This seems to be a post of questions....

Have a good evening all...

DINNER
Starters, Hot n Spicy Chicken Wings - Readymade
Chicken Fajitas - Readymade
Salad a la Moi - Put together with my own hands

Walnut Dream Ice Cream

As Mr A is away and I have free rein to be as slobbish and lazy as I like, I decided to go for the readymeal option tonight. Looking at the menu, I realise I have overdone it on the chicken front. Also, I've gone against what I said in a previous post about not eating battery chickens. I'm sure the readymeals chicken aren't free range.
O well, I'll say a little prayer for the chicken when I eat it. May it have room to rest in peace.....

I have now got 5 Acts for the benefit on 26th April! Let me tell you that they are top class as well!
I thought tickets could be on a sliding scale, £6.50-£8.00 sounds fair, although I don't really have a clue. The venue is quite small, a maximum of 61, so if it does sell out then I may organise another benefit in a larger venue. That's if the performers would be willing to do it all again.
It's in Swansea, so if anyone is interested then let me know. You have to book in advance by ringing up the venue and giving your name. If anyone turns up on the night without booking and it's full then they will get turned away. Sounds a bit harsh, but it's how they organise it, and I'm under guidance here.

It is raining again. My mechanic told me that it is a bigger job than he thought to fix the hole where the rain comes into my car, so I'll have to book it in for next week. O dear, more expense!

Got a text in French from Mr A who is at a weekend stag do in France. At least I can remember 'J'taime' which got a 'et tu' response. So all's well in the relationship department, we get on especially well when we are in different countries.....

Right! *Opens TV guide* What's on tonight? Ooo we'll have a bit of Harry Hill's tv burp, then there's a film at 10pm which I can watch instead of 'Match of the Day' - since I am Lord of the remote controller this weekend I can ignore the footie.
Been watching BBC3's 'Teenagers Borrowing Babies' which has been quite interesting. Some couples (there are 5 couples) care of the babies is perfect! They are happy, the babies are happy, they do things and have fun. Other couples winge and moan about who is going to do what and if they aren't arguing, then they are not talking to each other and having a miserable time. Just what you'd expect really! Though some of the teens are only 16 and are doing really well. If it was me at 16 I wouldn't have a clue, even with the manual.

I've lit some candles for my friend. Her father is dying of lung cancer. They only found out a few months ago that he had months to live. She is with her parents at the mo. Her parents have done such a good job with her, she is a really good friend to many and very organised, the sort you would like to have around in a crisis....She has no siblings, so it's just her, shame really, cos the world could do with more responsible caring people like her in it to balance out the shiteheads that seem to abound in the political world...

Well, it's nearly time for Harry Hill, better put some more fuel on the Rayburn, heat the oven up and shove the fajitas in......will be back to visit friends' blogs later...ttfn!

DINNER
Pre-dinner appertizer
Left over from last night, Bacon and Chorizo in Tomato Sauce with Pasta Twirls

Chicken Soup from Sunday's Roast.
Homemade Sundried Tomato and Parmesan Cheese Bread

I bought a packet of the above flavoured bread to try it out. Very nice, but thinking about it, it cost 75p for one loaf. I could have probably made it cheaper if I put in my own ingredients!
It's very tasty though and the first time I've cooked anything other than a normal loaf in the machine.

I've started the process of organizing a charity benefit. I've been talking about it, and finally I got the venue booked! I've asked 3 other acts if they will perform, and got a positive from one, haven't heard from the others, but I think they will if they are free.
It's in aid of Women In Tune Camp. The wonderful music camp I go to every year. They are very low on funds as the tickets are affordable, so quite cheap and as they pay the performers they don't have enough left in the kitty for this year. Because it has given me so much joy and helped me be creative and share with others, it would be a shame for it not to happen. It's a unique event and so I hope I can raise a tidy sum to help it.

Mr A is off to France tomorrow for a mate's stag do. There about 20 of them going for 3 days in France. One day will be spent at a rugby match. Mr A said he's getting too old to be getting drunk for 3 days, so will let the younger men do the honours! Just whether or not he sticks to his guns is another matter!
He certainly deserves a few days off after doing 3 night shifts in the pouring rain and howling wind!

Torchwood was quite good, a memorable line in it:
"If it's the end of the world, then let's all have sex!"
Yes, there was quite a lot of gay kissing in it, not that I mind, why should I? Just thinking of younger viewers who might be embarassed watching it with their parents. I know I would be if it was me.
Still, it has introduced a new character, an old 'partner' of Cpt Jack's. He doesn't seem particularly interesting to me I have to say. Not much of the old charisma about him, just lots of posing.

My car is going into the garage tomorrow to get the leak fixed. In all this rain, I have to bail the car out before getting in to drive away of late...
On Top Gear recently they featured the smallest car in the world, the P5, the P standing for Peel, I think. Now, that car would suit me, as it can be picked up and carried around like a suitcase and be driven down corridors (not that I'll be doing much of that). It runs on a moped 50cc engine and has just enough room for one person. O, and does 100miles to the gallon!

DINNER
Chicken Soup made from Sunday Roast
Organic Spaghetti broken up and bunged in

The hyacinthe that was given as a christmas pressie has flowered and is covered in bright red/purply little flowers.
Thanks Anna.

Mr A was out in the elements, mainly rain, last night. He is on a night shift at an airport, doing 'gravity.' Yes, that's what I said too!
What a lorra rain!
There's a leak in my car, so when it rains, a puddle forms behind the driver's seat. I nearly had to go and get a mask and snorkle this morning! It's on my 'to do' list.

Went to the studio last night to record one song.
Just one song.
Did we get it down ok?
No.
Ahem. We had changed it a bit beforehand and I don't think we had all remembered it.
Not mentioning any names, but there were a couple of great takes, going well, singing away into the mikes thinking 'this is going well!' Kiss of death to think that in the middle of something going on as sods law someone (not mentioning names) suddenly forget their part.
O well, collective responsibility and all that. (Not mentioning names at all.)

DINNER
Roast Freerange Chicken
Roast Potatoes
Leeks from Garden
Carrots
Brussel Sprouts from Garden

Yes, another sunday, another roast which should last into the coming week, ending up as Chicken Soup.

I've had Liberty, my 3yr old grandaughter down this afternoon. She told me of her dream of a dinosaur eating a necklace, which makes his stomach huge, then turning into a bad witch. I told her that there were good witches as well. She was quite surprised and asked what good witches did. So I explained that they helped heal people, advised them on their problems and generally helped people feel better about themselves. I added that witches often got bad publicity. She then asked me what publicity was, which led me into trying to explain about how she got influenced, or affected by what she saw on tv or was told by grown ups. I think she just about got it. In fact we had quite a long talk where she said that she was afraid that all her food, especially licorice sweets, would stay in her stomach, make it bigger and bigger till she exploded. This must have come from somewhere, but I told her that we had to poo to get rid of the food, and that's why it was so important.

We then played 'saw and hammer statues.' Mr A is putting wood a new frame around the front door and so there was a bit of sawing and hammering going on. We had to dance when the sounds were going on then stop and stay still when they stopped. At one point, after both being stock still, I asked Mr A if he had finished hammering and he had!

I was treated to an acrobatic show which consisted of her 'doing exercises', lifting herself up by her arms as she was in between 2 chairs, using them as support, then swinging up on one chair and bouncing onto the other one, quite often landing upside down. With claps of encouragement after each trick, it passed a bit of time away.
She had her usual gherkins, olives and cup of hot chocolate, though recently since I bought some kitkats, she'd been asking for them also, I don't always give them to her, it's either sweets or pickles! As I'd run out of kitkats it was pickles, but quite often she chooses them anyway.

We then played marbles, which come from the 'Kerplunk' box. The straws in there are the prizes, for every marble hit, a straw is awarded. She made up a 'goalpost' of an open triangle of straws, in which the marbles had to land. I thought that was quite inventive of her, since I hadn't suggested it, or done anything like it.

I pulled out her collapsible chair (with Winnie the Pooh on it) for her to sit on. She didn't want to, being happy on the floor, so I sat on it. It does take my weight and I can fit in it, even though it is a kids chair. Anyway, I moved it and accidentally caught the edge of a large mirror, which then broke with a big bang. It had the edge standing out, leaning up against some shelves and most of the glass landed on the tiled hearth on which the woodburner stands.
So - don't say it! I know that particular saying, which may involve 7 years. But I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it! So, let us make up a new saying, which could well be -
'breaking a mirror brings you good luck for the next 7 years, which may continue for the rest of your life.'

It's been a rainy day, so I've avoided going out as much as possible. Some jobs entail me going outside, like emptying the ash box for the Rayburn, bringing in firewood from the stack outside, emptying the compost bucket into the Darlic looking big compost bin in the garden. To name a few. Also restocking the bird feeder, they are getting through a fat ball a day at the moment and tap on the front room window when it is empty to ask for more. It's always a blue tit who does the tapping, if they were in an animated movie, he would have the voice of a sassy american, like Eddie Murphy.

Time to start peeling some potatoes, the chicken is in the oven already.
There has been a lot in the press recently about how chickens have to exist on an A4 size of ground, often with their legs not suppporting their fat bodies, so they pick up sores from lying on the faeces and urine covered ground.
Well, I make sure it says on the label that any chicken I buy is not a battery farmed one. They are a bit more expensive, but as the battery chickens are so cheap anyway, it's more like a fair price anyway.
The suffering these chickens must go through is appauling, and, to me, it's not worth buying one as their lives are valued so cheaply (I know, a chance for a 'cheep' pun.'
Why, you ask, do I even bother to eat them then if I feel as strongly as I do about the conditions in which these chickens are kept?
Well, a roast chicken makess a very tasty meal. However, I always give thanks to the chicken before we start to eat it, usually by saying:
"Thank you chicken, for giving your life, so that we may eat you."
Yeh, I know, not much of an exchange is it? and if we find out that god is really a chicken, then I'm stuffed (another chance for a joke.)

Well, I still haven't gone yet, still here, looking for other things that might keep your attention.....
Mr A's band didn't rehearse here after all, much to my relief I must admit. The guitarist's mother died 2 days ago and he had family stuff to attend to. When asked yesterday if he was up to practicing after such a traumatic event, he said that it would be good to go out and keep his mind occupied, which is fair enough I think.

Not much on tv again tonight, though Mr A will want to watch 'Match of the Day 2' as he didn't see it last night, we watched 'Sean of the the Dead' instead.

.......and finally, a job that comes up every year, is to buy seeds for planting, so I'm going to have a look shortly and check with Mr A what we need. Even with postage it should be cheaper than buying from the shops, the prices has risen a lot over the past few years.
I always get Night Scented Stock every year, the smell is absolutely gorgeous, and they open up at night, so the scent pervades and dominates wherever you put the pots. I leave them just outside the front door.
This year we are going to get some soft fruit canes. I like raspberries, though gooseberries I could do without, Mr A likes them, so they'll probably be put in somewhere. Actually, they do make a good jam.

So, I'm definitely going now.......nothing else to say...........have a good evening one and all....

DINNER
Welsh Lamb Chops
Baked Potatoes
Salad a la Moi

..........and the good news is that MOrrisons are now stocking their 'Walnut Dream' ice cream again. Hurrah! Twice, thrice and again, Hurrah!

Yes, Mr A is 10 years and 11 months years younger than me today. I got him a Raku vase. This is a ceramic pot which is hardened by putting in the ground and building a fire around it rather than shoving it in an electric kiln. It is a pale cream colour with swirls of beigey brown. Small enough to sit on his shelf of knick knacks in his office.
Unfortunately I left the price on it, not only on the present but also the card. So now he knows exactly how much I have spent on him.
To be fair, after our recent 'budget evening' we both know that we have to 'downsize' as it is so elegantly put. In plain terms, to spend less money!

I've been formulating (nice word that) a letter that I am going to send in to appeal for my ill health retirement pension. Trying to write in an orderly way that isn't going to read like 'poor old me, you bastards, give me the money!'

It's been a very lax week for the ol' blog. For no reason I've not felt like opening up this site to have a nosey and chat. It goes like that sometimes, though even though I say it myself, the menu's have been up to their usual standard, as I love my food and it has to be tasty, or there's no point in bothering to cook it. Well, is there?

MENU FOR ONE DAY THIS WEEK (Forgotten which day)
This was an ongoing meal comprising of starters.
Salami Milano
Smoked Salmon with Fresh Lemon Juice
Poppyseed Crackers
Selection of Indian Appertizers, Samosas, Veggi Roll, Onion Bhargis
Houmous made with Coriander and Lemon
Salad a la Moi
Baked Potatoes
Assorted Pickles and Chutneys

I think that's the lot.

Tomorrow will see Mr A's band practice take over my room for their rehersal. I shall move the laptop elsewhere and stick earphones in and listen to something, anything! They are actually quite good, but I've heard them before and it's quite loud with all the instruments, including drums going full pelt.

Mr A's listening to Nick Cave, I'm going to stick a Norton cd in my laptop to eat all the bad bugs around.

DINNER
Spag Bol with Organic Spaghetti
Salad a la Moi

Been off the blog for a few days, no particular reason why not, just, you know, didn't feel like it.
What have I been doing?
Waillll....
Went into Swansea yesterday for a Scarabella rehersal prior to recording next monday. We recorded ourselves and realised that this particular song needed some more work on it. We spent the evening sorting out some different harmonies and rythmns to make it more interesting and decided just to record the one song in the studio on monday rather than try and do a few not so well. Xmas gift giving was abysmal this year, we usually exchange little gifts just before xmas, but we didn't meet as usual this year (or rather last year). Carol was the only one who had got everyone a little pressie. O for shame! So we decided to get something for next week, so we don't feel complete scrooges! Carol is very organised. She met up with a friend and they went to Berlin to buy their presents in the street market there.

Done a bit more winching in the woods (sounds good doesn't it!) Mr A hauled up some really heavy big trees, so the old Fiesta was groaning with the weight of it, as the engine drives the winch. Then the rains came.........

With me not working at the mo, we had to work out a budget, to make sure I had enough money to pay the bills, so we spent a couple of hours on bloody spread sheets. Mr A can work them ok, but I'd rather write it down on a piece of paper, but then, I'm a bit old fashioned that way. We managed to sort it out and find that there will be very little personal spending money left after bills and money going on building.

Bought a couple of cheap dvd's. Naked Gun ones. I think they're funny! Apart from that, haven't spent anything else as now on budget alert. Got a few Iain Banks books from the library. 'The Algebraist', a science fiction novel, which is his latest book. He has a very distinctive way of writing, not always easy to read as he uses a lot of words in describing something. Still, worth persevering though as his plots and characters are good. An intelligent writer who has a vast imagination!

I'm struggling a bit here to try and find something remotely interesting that I've done this week!
I drew some graffiti on a friends 'wall' on Facebook. It took bloody ages, but it should look like a flower opening when viewed. Anyway, I'd done it, then couldn't find it! So I did another one that took ages too, then couldn't find that either! So, I don't know if the friends' have got it or not.
Yes, it's a bit boring isn't it. I should really be showing this amazing bit of graffiti art to you, supplying a link, and all that, but, take my word for it.
It was quiet good.

Well, I'm off to bed. Mr A is there already, and if I don't get in soon the light and blanket will be off..
Toodle Pip!

DINNER
Paticlan! This is Aubergine, in Turkish! As Mr A is not a great fan of the Aubergine, I found that by renaming it in Turkish, he responds better. Maybe it's because when we were in Turkey, ages ago, they had loads of dishes with Aubergines in, called 'Paticlan' which he ate. So, a bit of the old psychology there...
Right, where was I?

Paticlan Casserole.
Layered Aubergine with thin sliced Potato in Spicy Tomato Sauce
Salad a la Moi

This dish is really easy to do. The only cooking, apart from bunging the raw aubergine n potato into the oven is frying onions n garlic n pepper with a can of tomatoes, then swishing it over the casserole after it's been the oven for about 15 minutes.
Cover it in grated cheese - and voila! Paticlan!

Rain stopped work in the woods this afternoon, much to Mr A's disappointment. He's felled about 25 trees so far, 6 or 7 big ones. It's mostly small trees as it's thinning out the woods that he's doing to allow the other trees to grow in enough space and light.

I've got a stinker of a letter to write to British Gas. They supply our electricity by meter. I have to buy tokens which slide in. Well, they wrote saying I need a new card which I show when I get the tokens. As the letter was addressed to 'The Occupier' I rang them. I wanted to change to direct debit anyway, also, I should be due a rebate since we've lived here since '05. They said they had no record of change of occupancy, so no rebate due!
Well, that's a load of bullocks, cos I've rang and written to them before with my name and address when we moved in. Also, they made 3 appointments for someone to change the meter and no one turned up, so I'd rung them then with my name as occupier.
The guy on the phone was really abrupt and said, well there was no record of change of address, so I wasn't entitled to any rebate. When I said that I'd let them know when we moved in he didn't seem at all interested. No bloody help at all.
So, I'm gathering the evidence, a letter from them with my name and address written when I sent them a token that didn't work. That time, my letter with the token went to several addresses and companies. It eventually came back to me saying that the department didn't deal with tokens!
Problem is, there are so many addresses for British Gas, and they use other companies to do different things for them. Like another company to read the meter, another one to make appointments to change the meter. It's a mess!

So, that's my 'Rant of the Day!'

DINNER
Lamb and Aubergine Curry made with leftover Roast Lamb from yesterday
Basmati Rice with Cardomom Seeds
Salad a la Moi

Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream. Morrisons seem to have discontinued Walnut Dream Ice Cream, but I live in hope...

Change of plans today. Originally was going to reherse with Scarabella, then cancelled that to reherse with Paul, that was cancelled, so back to original plan but Anna is still in Norway. She went there with her current boyfriend who plays sax in a band, they were touring Norway over the new year, so of course she went along too. So, ends up me and Mr A staying in eating a lovely dinner and watching tv, or a video as tonight's viewing is sprite.

Gave Mr A a hand in the woods today as he is felling trees. I was the Winch Operator. With gloved hand on the button I'd press 'in' and the cable would wind around the roller in the back of my old Fiesta, being powered by the engine. Then I would slacken it when it was in the right place. Ooo, it was a very demanding and complicated job! Not!
Mr A has built 'bins' or would you call them silo's, anyway big constructions made of wood to pile the logs in to keep them dry and off the ground. He also has various structures that can be covered with tarps, so it looks like a street market on a day when it's closed! He's got 5 'structures' at the moment going along the side of the track to house the logs, with bright blue tarps to cover them.
A cold, fresh day, it was good to be outside for a while, then to come into a warm house and pootle around, making bread, stocking up with firewood and coal then relaxing. Very important, the relaxing bit!

Eve wasn't well a few days ago, she felt nauseous and had diarrhoear (never sure how to spell it). Then I hear on the news that there is a bit of an epidemic going around of those symptoms at the moment, especially in Wales. It's called 'Roynes Disease', or something like that anyway..
Well, the thing is, I felt a bit nauseous earlier....but then I started tasting the lamb curry and felt much better. Maybe the chilli helped kill any lurking bugs..time will tell. I hope I haven't got this lurgy that's going around....

This week I will be mostly having 10 drops 3 times a day of Black Cohosh and Wild Yam.

DINNER FOR MOLLY AND EVE
Tomato and Basil Vegetarian Sausages
Baked Potato
Cauliflower

MR & MRS A'S DINNER
Chicken Soup - Homemade from Sunday Roast
Baked Potato

With the girls' being vegetarians, it was easy enough to serve up 2 different meals, as the soup was made more or less yesterday.

The girls have shot up and are nearly as tall as me! It's lovely to see them growing up into young women.
Molly and I watched Laura Croft whilst Eve chatted to Mr A in his office, trying to work.

Earlier today I helped Mr A in the woods, just for about an hour moving the bits of felled trees into piles. They are called 'habitat' piles, basically a rounded mound of branches, twigs etc so that the floor is tidied up a bit. Some of the branches were quite heavy, I couldn't shift them, so just moved the smaller ones.

Midnight last night saw us pause Lord of the Rings and raise our glasses of champagne to toast the new year. In the end, we both rather fancied staying at home rather than going out somewhere else. Bed around 2am. We knew when it was midnight as we heard fireworks going off in the village.

Sent off my summary for the year to Juzzzy's blog, along with others' doing the same thing. Interesting to read what others had got up to and the different styles they had. Molly read mine and it gave her quite a laugh! If you want to find out what I've been doing, then go and have a look!