Sunday, 29 January 2017

Weekend

I have had a lovely few days catching up with family, it has been a joy.  We met up with Amie and Honey at the Springfield's shopping outlet at Spalding on Friday.  There were a lot of sales, a lot of bargains to be had with as much as 90% off in some stores although 70% seemed to be the norm in most shops.  I impressed myself with the lack of purchases despite the bargain prices.  I don't need anything so my pennies were kept firmly inside my purse.  My one bargain buy was from Marks and Spencer's I bought some handwash for £1.  Despite my distinct lack of purchases we did have a lovely time catching up, chatting with Amie and playing with Honey.

We went into the garden centre for lunch and had a lovely ham baguette along with the novelty of chips served in a terracotta plant pot, perfect for the setting.  It was a joy to watch Honey eating her lunch, she is certainly growing up fast. 



 
We really enjoyed watching Honey in the little soft play area available in the garden centre.  She can certainly get about despite not walking as yet, she cruises around the furniture and soft pools.
 


 
Victoria Mike and the boys arrived Friday night and stayed for the weekend, it was lovely to catch up with them and have so much fun with Wilbur.  Rhyming words is a game that we enjoyed playing and so much fun to hear the laughter.  Hector cut another tooth whilst he was here, he is suffering a little, bless him and seems to have a constant dripping nose at the moment.  He is cruising around the furniture and is almost walking, rather than crawling he shuffles around on his bottom.
 


 
I feel blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with all my daughters and their little families.  We will be catching up with Lucy as we are planning to stay with them for a few days on our way up to Scotland.  Lily was 6 on Friday it just doesn't seem five minutes since she was born and we were driving down the A1 to see her, how time flies.
 
Ged has been watching the football this afternoon so I have sat with some crochet making a facecloth all ready for our new home and adding a crochet border to a flannel.
 



 
I do thank you for all your comments and appreciate you all.  I will be around to visit later tonight but probably in the morning as I am going to make some tea and sit and watch Call the Midwife.

See you soon.

Thursday, 26 January 2017

Crafting Inbetween Packing

The packing is almost finished just the kitchen to sort out, although this could be a mammoth task with all the crockery I have stacked in some of the cupboards.  I suspect the local charity shop will have a vast increase in stock.  It has been quite enlightening sorting through our belongings and decluttering.  A start on the kitchen will begin today.  No dates have been set for completion with regards to the house sale as yet which I find a little daunting I like to work to a timetable and find it a little unnerving not having an end date to work to.

I am finding time for crafting and catching up with family and friends now the bulk of the packing is out of the way.  The dolls house is almost finished just needs a little waxing, we are hoping to pop over to Alford later today to buy some  furniture suitable for a toddler for it.



 
I hope Honey loves it as much as we loved making it for her.
 
I have also finished the second throw ready for our new home, the Arran wool used is a delight to crochet with and works up so quickly.
 


 
I have made a start on a third throw this time a zig zag pattern which is another one that works up quickly.  I intend to include a third colour into the mix but need to go to the shop to buy it.  I like the idea of a heather type colour which will brighten the muted shades a little.
 

 
Another cold start to the day so soup is in order for lunch and I have the bread making machine on making a cheese loaf, the perfect accompaniment.   Have you got a go to meal for the cold weather?
 
See you soon.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, 20 January 2017

Thank You

Thank you so much for all your comments and emails with suggestions for the books it was wonderful to hear from you all.  I actually phoned a couple of local care homes yesterday who will be delighted to take the books.  I have also sorted out several jigsaws I just need to check that they are all complete before I take them.  I am thrilled that a home has been found for both the books and jigsaws.  It leaves me with an easy mind.  It didn't sit well with me taking them to landfill so I am thrilled an alternative was found.

Once again many thanks.

See you soon.

Five on Friday

It has been a week of trial and tribulation, a lot achieved not least we have signed the contracts for selling the house but no date as yet for the exchange of contracts and moving.  Alas there has also been a lot of jobs delayed due to the weather.  Sadly we have woken to a damp and misty morning so I don't see any progress been achieved today.  I am talking outside buildings and the mammoth task of sorting them out.  We are mindful of the damp and the damage it can do to Gerard's health particularly when there is so much to sort through but eventually I think we are just going to have to grim and bear it.


 
This is the view from a front window grey and misty and yet it looks quite pretty, the walks along the dyke will certainly be missed.
 
Two
 
We have amassed an enormous collection of books over the years and have had a big sort out this week, with a view to donating them to the local charity shop.  Sadly when we arrived with all our donations they wouldn't accept the books.  Apparently they have been inundated with books since Christmas and were not taking anymore.  It was the same story at a couple of others we tried.  Sadly they will now have to go to the tip for landfill which is a little disappointing.
 
 
Three
 
I can proudly report that the craft room is all packed up ready to go, I have a crochet project that I am working on and Honeys quilt which I making a little progress on.  Slow but steady, hand stitching a couple of squares a day.
 
 
 
I am hoping to have this finished by next Friday as I am meeting Amie and Honey at Springfield's near Spalding for a little shopping excursion and lunch.  I need to replace some underwear before moving.
 
Four
 
I came across a whole host of certificates and school reports, a lifetime of education, sporting and musical achievements.  What a joy to look back and read them, we were certainly proud parents both then and now.  We intend to give the girls a box each so they have them to share with their own children.
 



 
Even programmes from each of the productions they were in, lots of wonderful memories to treasure.
 
Five
 
Finally I have been having long relaxing baths this week, soaking the aches and pains of the days toil away.  Luxuriating in bubbles and candlelight, such a wonderful way to end the day.
 
 
I am once again joining Amy over at Love Made My Home for the Friday link up.  How are you filling your days?
 
See you soon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Yet Another Box

Another dismal day, overcast with grey skies although not cold.  So today is the day, a start is going to be made on the shed and the workshop we may need rescuing there is so much in there.  Half finished projects that have been long forgotten I suspect will be unearthed but time will tell.  There is certainly a large collection of tools that need to be sorted but this is a long job so it is our intention to do a little at a time.  It is paramount that we keep healthy, the last thing needed is a flare up for Gerard. 

The craft room is finally all packed up, I found the whole experience enlightening and learnt a lot about myself.  In the end I was unable to throw away all  the children's art  despite taking the time to take photographs.  Some collections matter more than others.  I was able to pack up  a vast quantity of things for the charity shops but was unable to give away anything that had been gifted to me.  It is these little things that make me, I don't think I am going to change now and in truth I don't really want to.  I value things that have been bought for me, the time and effort that family and friends have given is appreciated.  For now I have packed a whole lot more than I thought I would but if need be I will sift through it all again at the other end.

 
I thought my wardrobes would be hard to sort through but in fact thus far this has been the easiest job.  Shoes are my weakness...
 
We are now eating out of the freezers, so apart from a little fresh produce we are hoping not to spend anymore money on food.  The menu for this week is quite luxurious, using up a lot of things left over from Christmas.  Yesterday we had a beautiful creamy broccoli and stilton soup with a date and walnut bread.  I can report this was scrumptious, there is enough for lunch again today.
 
 
I have finally finished the crochet throw and have made a start on the second one.  A nice break in the evening to sit down and relax with.
 

 
What possessions would you find hard to discard?
 
See you soon.
 
 

Sunday, 15 January 2017

The Joys Of Packing

The snow came and went, it came down thick and lay softly on the ground creating a wonderful winter wonderland.



 
It went as quickly as it came.  The whole snow storm lasted all of 10 minutes.  The biggest worry for locals and all other coastal areas on the East of the country was the tidal surge predicted.  That too thankfully was not as bad as predicted.   The change of wind direction stopped what could have caused havoc and severe flooding problems for some.  The Environmental Agency organised a recorded message to all those living in coastal villages to stay away from promenades and coastal walks and warned of the dangers.  It was amazing then to see on the local news how many youngsters could be seen on Skegness beach awaiting the onset of the surge predicted at high tide.  It was such a worry, had the tidal surge been as bad as first thought those youngsters could have been in real danger, even losing their lives.
 
The packing and sorting of the craft room has begun in earnest.  I have been quite shocked at the quantity of fabrics, yarns and equipment I have collected over the years.  The buttons will probably take a whole truck to relocate.  Decisions, decisions what to take and what to pass on.  I keep having to walk away and then go back as more and more things are unearthed.  It has highlighted the fact that I am a craft hoarder, I knew that I was but the facts now speak for themselves.  Evidence is now plain to see.  A bigger job than I had anticipated...
 
 
 
On a lighter note, progress has been made on the crochet throw, albeit slower than usual.  I have only been working on this in the evening, packing and sorting are now priorities.  I have almost completed the border I just need to decide how to finish it all off.
 

 
What are you working on at the moment? 
 
Well I have had a break from the packing, I need to get back to it.  I think I may make a start on the wardrobes, they will be so much easier to sort out.  Who am I kidding?????
 
See you soon.
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, 13 January 2017

Five On Friday

Thank you for all your wonderful comments and suggestions on my last post, it really was appreciated.  We have now managed to source some boxes so a start has been made.  It is amazing how much stuff we have accumulated over the years of living here.  We had a sort out last year and sold many things when we did a car boot sale, I think maybe that was just the tip of the iceberg.  There is a lot to sort through.

One of the major issues for me is the children's artwork.  I have saved every piece that they have made for me, not something that I want to get rid of but realistically not something that I can take.  The perfect solution was suggested by my daughter, I have taken photographs of it all and kept it separate on one memory card so that I can see the progress they make through the years.  It will also show the children how much their creations meant to me.  A win, win situation for us all.

I am joining Amy over at Love Made My Home for the weekly get together to share five wonderful creations.  I usually have a board up in the craft room so that I can see the latest ones at a glance.

 
A clip for each family, these I shall take with me until such times there is too much on the board and then once again I will take a photograph of each piece.
 
Here are five earlier pieces that make me smile.
 





 
 
Precious creations and memories that will be stored in my heart forever and of course a tiny memory card can be taken with me wherever I roam.  The perfect solution.
 
See you soon.

Tuesday, 10 January 2017

Another Step Closer To The Dream

There is a SOLD sign in the front garden, it does say subject to contract in very small print underneath but none the less it is there.  I do keep going to the window to make sure it is still there and smiling.  It has been a dream for so long and now we are living the reality.  I am so excited I keep pinching myself.  My husband is also walking around with a big grin on his face too, we look at each other and laugh each knowing what the other is thinking.  We have enjoyed browsing the estate agents websites and we are also perusing Home Reports.  We have quite the list of possibilities, time will tell.  We have got into the routine of checking for new properties every day.   We also have a list ready of holiday lets so that we can book something as soon as we know dates.  Quotes are been sought for removals and storage, quite the difference in price by packing boxes yourself.  There is a minor hiccup with this option, we are unable to get cardboard boxes from any of the local shops.  Who knew boxes could be such a dilemma and the price of them to buy are extortionate. 

Although exciting times life goes on as normal, I have made a start on a throw/lap blanket all ready for our new home.  It has been on my list of things to do for so long but finally a start has been made.


 
I would like to make a few and have them rolled up in a basket, it is certainly a long term project and not one that will be portable enough to travel with, but I will work on them until such times we move and it/they need to be packed.
 
I have prepared a sewing project for when we are in transit between homes, a baby quilt for my eldest daughters best friend.  It is cut and pinned all ready to be tacked into place.
 
 
An outline plan drawn out all ready to begin.
 
 
Even the cotton chosen and needles packed into a project bag ready.
 

 
Now that I have projects ready for the interim period between homes I can now make a start on sorting out the craft room, a mammoth task.  Years of projects, collections and treasures to be thinned out or packed.  How on earth do you make decisions like that?  We are going to have the same dilemmas with the shed and the workshop.  We are working on a dolls house for Honey at the moment it is slow going  but hopefully it will be finished before we move and in good time for her birthday.  How do you decide what to do with possessions when moving?
 
See you soon.