jillytees

March 8th Happy Birthday MarkT! XXX

2007-03-08T00:00:00.000Z

Happy Birthday to my wonderful, lovely, kind, funny, gorgeous husband who makes all my days special!

School Trip!

2007-02-21T09:55:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I know bad blogger but there has been a lot going on and sometimes it just doesn't seem necessary to write it all down! However I have just come back from a school skiing trip to Hermagor in Austria, one of my sons is a teacher and takes a party every year. This year they were short on staff so he asked if I'd like to go along to help look after my grandchildren! I couldn't refuse an offer like that, and as I am still job hunting I had plenty of time on my hands! I should hopefully have some good news on the job front in the next few days, I just need to make the right choice. Anyway here are a few photos including my son, daughter-in-law and eldest grandaughter trying out her new skis, and the lovely ski lodge where we stayed.

2006!! -- 2007!!

2007-01-01T16:48:00.000Z

First of all A Very Happy New Year to all our friends in Blogland. It's been a fantastic year for me starting with the birth of my 3rd grandaughter in January and buying our house in February. We have travelled to Tunisia, Turkey, New York, Vancouver and California. We saw some amazing and beautiful scenery and met some equally lovely people. Best of all we got to stay with two very special people, Gary and Steph, they are truly good friends. Then there were Rachaels gigs and The Who concerts, meeting bloggers from around the world and Mariettas blinner! Summer in England this year was long and hot which is very unusal but the end of the year has been rain, rain and more rain! At the beginning of December we went to Norfolk to celebrate an early Christmas with my mother, sister, nieces and extended family. Christmas was busy with 14 family and 1 black labrador squeezed into our little house with people sleeping on sofas and airbeds, but it was fun, and to have all my sons, daughters in law and grandaughters together was so sweet. The autumn saw the passing of my dear aunt in October, she was a lovely, kind and generous lady and I miss her. Then sadly Marks mother passed away 3 days before Christmas. Although she was only poorly for a couple of days, her quality of life was poor as she had had dementure for several years and was unable to do anything for herself. So in a way it was a blessing for her and she passed very peacefully with Mark and I at her side. Last night, New Years Eve, saw us providing the lighting for a rock band called The Bite at a party for around 180. A very lively celebration and a very late night 4am bed! So what of this fresh New Year 2007? Well I hope to find a new job soon, as always I'm excited and optimistic that that everything will fall into place and if it doesn't then we'll work it out. Also I'm hoping that Gary and Steph will come to visit us, we miss them loads. I'm hoping that Marks guitar playing will improve and that he and Gary will write a song together. But most of all I'm hoping for love, peace and good health for my family and friends.

CHINESE THEATRE HOLLYWOOD

2006-11-23T13:32:00.000Z

This the interior of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, all hand painted and stunning, also the VIP lounge.

M0RE VANCOUVER

2006-11-20T09:05:00.000Z

Views of the ferry to Vancouver Island, Deep Cove, the lake in Stanley Park and one of the many totem poles along the shore

more photos

2006-11-13T16:19:00.000Z

Here are a few more pictures of beautiful Vancouver!

travelling -Vancouver

2006-11-13T14:18:00.000Z

Well we're home and what a wonderful time we've had. I know Mark will want to post all about the musical events so I will stick to holiday photos. First off we flew to Vancouver to stay with Marks aunt for 4 nights, what a beautiful city, how I wish we'd had more time there. We were staying in the West End a lively and vibrant area with just about everything you could want. Whilst there we visited Granville Island famous for it's fabulous indoor produce market and many arts and crafts. We walked in Stanley Park where we saw racoons and black squirrels. We were taken on a drive to Deep Cove by a kind friend and saw yet more stunning scenery. The colours of the autumn leaves and the truly amazing architecture along with meeting Marks aunt for the first time made it a great start to our trip. More photos to follow.

NEW YORK NEW YORK!

2006-09-26T22:58:00.000+01:00

Well we made it to NY and had a fabulous but exhausting time. We walked our socks off all week and managed to see all the famous sights. We saw a show on Broadway, took a yellow cab, rode on the subways, ate from deli's, street sellers and all night diners, and chatted to NY cops and complete strangers. We walked in Central Park, went to the Guggenheim, crossed the river on the Statton Island ferry (it was free!!!) We climbed the Empire State Building, (in the lift), visited the fabulous art deco Chrysler Building, Times Square, Maddison Square Gardens and Radio City. Whilst walking in Chinatown we came upon an Italian street festival. Shopping in Macys and Bloomingdales was fun and so were the many other shops we found, but for me the 3 hours I spent wandering in the fabric district was just mind blowing and I'd go again just for that! Seeing Ground Zero and the little church was very poignant and we spent a long time just reading many of the strories and letters from around the world. The photos are just a few from the hundreds we took, I thought I'd include the one of a rather ambitious menu we saw in a back street cafe, (we didn't try it!) I know Mark has been reporting on Joes Pub, so suffice to say that while he got his photos of Pete, I got a KISS from him ......

Who needs toys?

2006-08-17T10:51:00.000+01:00

Just thought I'd share a few pics of Maisie taken a couple of weeks back when they came to visit. It just goes to show what a great tme you can have with a washing up bowl and a mini watering can, provided of course that you are only16 months old!

Norfolk!

2006-07-20T13:29:00.000+01:00

I've just spent a few days in glorious Sheringham in Norfolk where I lived for 30 odd years just yards from the beach. The weather was perfect not as hot as the rest of the UK but just lovely. These photos were taken around 7.30am yesterday when the tide was on it's way out and the local fishermen were bringing in the famous Sheringham crabs. I saw a few old friends but spent most of my time with my Mum, helping her in the garden and going on expeditions to choose a microwave oven which at 84 is the first one she's ever had. Somehow I don't think she will use it, she doesn't have much faith in "these new ideas" as she calls them! Sheringham is a great place, a little sleepy perhaps but I'm glad my children were born and brought up there even though we've all moved on now.

Holidays, Hyde Park and the Stocktons Blanket

2006-07-08T15:01:00.000+01:00

time for a blog

2006-07-07T23:05:00.000+01:00

At last I have time to do a little blog. Honestly I don't know where people find the time, every time I think of doing one something comes along and I never quite make it... But anyway here I am at 11pm with a glass of red and Jonothan Ross (and Mark), so here goes. Well Hyde Park was brill, v hot but the best atmosphere, amazingly out of 40,000 people we managed to sit next to a family who live about 3 miles up the road from us! Small world or what? My brother in law Neil and neice Laura came with us and we managed to meet up with Marietta and one or two others so all in all it was a very special day. We also took Gary and Stephs blanket for it's first outing, v comfy thanks you two ! You can tell it was hot 'cos we're all wearing funny hats which is definately a bit English! Mine is like a flowerpot but it did the trick. That reminds me about dying my hair, or not , as the case may be. I don't much like the thought of bleach, sounds a bit like lavvies. You know sometimes when you see products that are 'Herbal' you think they sound like maybe they'll do the biz without actually doing any damage? Well wrong, they don't, do the trick that is, I tried one for highlights but after an hour and a half I just had a wierd orangey yellow colour and I have fairish hair anyway. How can they go on selling stuff that doesn't work? So I went back for the bleachy stuff that you mix in a plastic pot and now I have fab highlights for £2.99 I love it.... We went to Turkey a couple of weeks back and stayed in a friends house out in the countryside, which was just beautiful. The weather was perfect and the locals were so lovely to us, bringing us fresh oranges and eggs and the children loved watching Mark do magic tricks for them, and playing football which they are mad about. It's such a lovely country. One day we hired a boat all to ourselves and went up the river in Dalyan and then down again to the famous Turtle beach and past the fabulous tombs cut into the rocks. Something's up with this blog, it won't let me post any more pics, so I'll just publish this now and then try some more photos.

Sunny weather and sausages

2006-06-17T13:50:00.000+01:00

Wow it's been so lovely this last week! The weather has actually been good for about 10 days which is amazing in this country even in the summer. It's been an interesting week and I have been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time working at home, so have been able to sneak some time in the garden in breaks from the dreaded paperwork. Last week we bought a cast iron chimnea which is very elegant and also VERY HEAVY !! The easy put it together in minutes instructions were seriously optimistic and had Mark sprawled on the lawn (sorry grass patch) it's not big enough for a lawn, for over an hour and involved a fair bit of swearing and 2 cups of tea.... And so to light it. hmmm not so easy either, however after some discussion and a bit of encouraging it eventually got going and by 9pm we were READY FOR THE SAUSAGES (appologies to any veggies out there). Not just any sausages mind, no, only Tescos Finest 2 packs for £3.50 yummy. Mark decided to take charge,well the first sausage fell through the rack and had to be rescued from a firey grave, brushed off and carefully placed back on the rack (the other way round). The same thing happened to the next 2, but finally we had 6 cooked sausages, slightly charred looking but totally yummy.We also had a VERY HOT chimnea that was just asking for more food, so, we cooked the other 6 and totally pigged out (sorry for the pun). I reckon with the charcoal and lighters our tea cost about 7 quid! Anyway it was fun and we'll definately get some more practice in if the weather stays fine.

My Sunday

2006-06-04T18:59:00.000+01:00

Well we decided to give ourselves a day off today, we've both had a really busy week and I have the biggest backlog of paperwork ever. But no matter, not today anyway, the sun was shining so we were up early and off to Worthing at 8.30. the drive was lovely everything is so green and fresh. Worthing is a lovely resort on the south coast and much quieter than Brighton, I spent many childhood holidays there. Anyway we walked a long way down the prom, the sea was calm, the tide was going out, the sun was warm on our backs. Then on the way back we stopped at an hotel and had yummy full English breakfast sitting on their terrace overlooking the sea. This may all sound a bit trivial, but you don't get too many days as perfect as today in England. Later we walked back through the town and did some shopping then popped in to see Marks brother who lives nearby. Even later we came home and went for a very long walk in the woods backing on to our house and discovered some beautiful spots we haven't come across before. Finally home for a cold beer and a little supper. ....perfect day

Long Family Weekend

2006-05-31T20:32:00.000+01:00

For the first time in a year I actually got all my sons to visit on the same weekend! It was fabulous, the weather wasn't too bad, positively nice on the Sunday. For those of you not in the UK, it's seems to have been cold wet and windy here for weeks, even though we have a drought order in Sussex! We all had the best time and with 3 little grandaughters to play with there was so much fun and laughter. They are 2 actors, 2 teachers and a musician, so it was a very noisy weekend with everyone trying to get themselves heard! They were all very sweet about my taking photos every five minutes, (well I had to make the most of it)! We ate a ton of food and drank a fair bit too much wine, went for walks in the country and had lazy breakfasts with coffee and eggy bread .... All too soon it was Monday they were all on their way home. And afterwards? I must admit Mark and I just crashed out in front of the telly exhausted.

This and That

2006-05-10T11:28:00.000+01:00

Hi there everyone, I know, bad blogger, but there are times when there just isn't enough time! Today is NOT one of those times. Today I do have work but with spaces inbetween so I decided to make the effort. Southend was fab, meeting friends as well as watching Mikey and C C who were all amazing with their perfomances. And the weather was kind too, what more could you ask for? So what else have I been up to, well this and that, working of course which has been busy, it's the moving season. Trying to decorate, I now know there are at least 1000 variations of palest cream/ivory/magnolia/white !!!! But I finally found the right one ( I think? ) Also trying to set up the garden for now and future summers with climbing roses and clematis, I need to soften the boundries so that they become part of the woods beyond, but keep us sheltered as well. It's only a small space and so far hasn't ever been planted apart from grass so I have to start from scratch, which is good really as I get to choose everything, but it does look a bit bare right now. The weather has been lovely lately so we've also been out and about to see friends and family, celebrated my grandaughters Maisies 1st birthday, and had a great day when my mum came to visit recently. Now I want to introduce you to my niece Alice who has just launched her new card company,The Little Acorn Company. They produce beautiful personal stationery for all occasions, please take a look at her website; www.littleacorncompany.com and see what they do!

Hi Folks

2006-03-28T07:31:00.000+01:00

I've just realised that it's 2 weeks since my last blog, although I have been taking a look at everyone elses. Work has been particularly busy, as has our social life which is great! Everyone is moving now spring is here so I've been run off my feet this last week. I can report that we now have a whole new bathroom, oh what bliss, it's probably one of the smallest bathrooms in the world but it is now all new and shiny! I can't wait to start on the lounge now, I'm going to get one of those steamer things today to get all the paper off. My mum is coming to visit next week so I have to get a move on! Just a thought ......... Isn't it funny when the answer to a mystery you've been puzzling over for ages suddenly just drops into your lap with practically no effort at all? It makes you laugh!

3 good things!

2006-03-15T07:27:00.000Z

Oh hooray the old bathroom is no more! It's gone, vanished, leaving behind bare boards and walls in ruins. But no matter, John the FB (friendly builder) will do his magic and give us a sparkling new one within the week! At the moment the NEW ONE is sitting in the conservatory looking less than elegant, but soon it will be INSTALLED. No more leaks or clouds of steam leaving sneaky patches of mildew, yuk!

Another good thing this week was a night out with the girls last Saturday, we always have a great time at our favourite Chinese, and Saturday was no exception! One dear friend had such a good time she fell off her chair, need say more ? !! Okay so Kevs definately not one of the girls but he is lovely, and he'd never been on one of our nights so we let him come along! They truly are the best bunch of friends and I love them to bits.. And of course the best thing of all was seeing my darling Maisie. They came over on Sunday and we spent a lovely long relaxing day chatting and catching up with all the news while Maisie played happily and got the most cuddles ever. She's almost 1 year old and has the sweetest nature and a real sense of fun

Home and Away

2006-03-01T17:28:00.000Z

Our lovely friends

We moved 2 weeks ago and are still surrounded by boxes, ( some of them have been packed for 3 years)! However all is well, apart from the oven doesn't work and the washing machine is a tad touchy. Oh and water from the shower leaked through the kitchen ceiling yesterday,( now I know why the kitchen lights keep flickering) and the new bathroom doesn't arrive for another week... But it is lovely to be in our own place at last and to be able to choose the way we want things. Today I forgot the oven didn't work and bought vegetables to roast, oh well.... Last weekend we went to a bit of a 'do' in Bournemouth, (on the south coast) and had a whale of a time with some friends from Norfolk and Sussex, we stayed 2 nights in an hotel on the seafront and it was beautiful. We even managed drinks on the balcony at sunset ! I made my first ever speech and even made my audience laugh, I quite enjoyed it actually and wasn't nervous at all. I really must be getting old..... The girls singing was far better than the guys who were all far to drunk!!

Mark sang with the band though, completely unrehearsed, and I was so proud of him, he was brilliant.

Holidays and Houses

2006-02-08T18:52:00.000Z

Well I can't believe how long it is since my last post! Last week we were in Tunisia and this week we're moving house. Tunisia was lovely, I've not been there before and we went on the recommendation of Marks brother, staying at the same hotel as he did last spring. It was a good decision and they knock spots off us when it comes to service. Nothing is too much trouble and they are so friendly. The weather was fine although it rained a bit the first couple of days, but it didn't stop us doing anything and the rest of the week was warm and sunny. There was a terrific storm the second night and the next day we walked along the beach for 2 1/2 hours to Sousse. We saw loads of tiny jellyfish with pink middles and wierd looking seaweed pods. Some palm trees had been washed away along with concrete hotel terraces. The locals said it has been the worst winter they can remember. We also saw millions (well lots) of date palms Yummy and orange trees. I'm glad to report no disasters befell me, nothing, no dropped food, no falling over, no getting lost what's happening, oh no I hope I'm not growing up??!!! I haven't said much about the new house but I have been cleaning it ALL DAY! It's only a modest 3 bedroom place but we have to move into as it is and then decorate as and when, but today it felt like a mansion. However it is now VERY CLEAN and really not bad at all so I'm looking forward to next week when we finally get to move into our own home........

My Girls

2006-01-19T16:25:00.000Z

Well all's well in West Sussex this week, nothing much of note to report. I think if the sky stays this grey for much longer we''ll all have forgotten what SUNSHINE looks like!! We went to see my new grandaughter last weekend which was lovely, and stayed in pub/hotel in the next town along from them. After we had left the hotel on Sunday I realised I had left my specs behind, (I was wearing THE LENSES). I phoned and arranged to collect them later on. On our way home I called into the hotel bar, asked for them and was duly handed my glasses. Fine up til then. 'Oh no' says I staring at them 'they aren't mine' ... puzzled looks .... 'Mine don't look like that' .... staff 'Try them on, are you sure?' ...... 'No, no need they aren't mine' .... call the manager. Manager arrives 'Room 108?' .. me 'Yes' ... manager, 'You were the only people staying here last night and I found them on your bed this morning!' At this point I decided to try them on.... me 'Oh yes so they are!' and I beat a very hasty retreat feeling totally stupid.... really my contact lenses aren't so good you know...... I have put up some new photos, one of Daisy and the other two of Connie aged 4 days. Connie slept pretty much the whole time we were there but as soon as Mark held her she opened her eyes. (Typical little girl!!) Just like her sister Daisy who adores Mark and wants to play with him all the time, I think she and Mark have the same sense of humour..

IT'S A GIRL !!!!

2006-01-12T08:10:00.000Z

Well she's here at last! My beautiful, perfect,darling new Grandaughter. Although she has arrived 3 weeks early she still took her time coming and eventually made her entrance at 3.12am yesterday.. 11/01/06. So she kept everyone up all night!! She's a healthy 6lb 2oz and her name is Connie Grace. Her sister Daisy was given a nurses uniform to wear when she visited the hospital yesterday and is taking the whole nursing thing very seriously as you can see! I think this picture is quite possibly the most beautiful one I will see this year. Here she is just 12 hours old ........ It really reinforces my memo of positive, brave and loving thoughts.........

Fairy

2006-01-06T18:12:00.000Z

I just had to share this joyous picture of one very happy little FAIRY! My great niece Tallulah, 14 months old, she spent the whole of Christmas day in her outfit.

Be brave for 2006!

2005-12-29T11:05:00.000Z

So here we are Christmas is over and New Year just a couple of days away. I was planning to tell you all what a great Christmas we had, because we really did have a lovely time and rounded the holiday off with a trip to the pantomime on Tuesday which was a splendid affair. But I know some people hate this time of year, so decided not to give a long report! I always feel very brave about this time, hopeful that good things are just around the corner,that somehow things will get sorted out, not just for my family but for all folk. Sometimes I'm right sometimes not, but I still feel BRAVE! Feeing brave seems to make me be brave so I can tackle all those jobs and people out there that I just know are heading my way!! ........... I know one good thing coming, we have a new baby due in the family anytime now who will be a very precious gift, especially as the parents have had IVF treatment ............. I've had some very sad Christmases in my past (although I never let my children know), but I always try to face the New Year with good hope and a brave heart, I think that to try and be positive and to pass this feeling on to others is the best way to start each New Year. So thats my memo to myself, be brave, be positive be honest and give lots of love! Blimey this sounds like a bit of a sermon, it's not meant to be, it's just how it came out, but I'll post it anyway 'cos it's what I'm thinking!

Crackers? OH YES! Barking !!

2005-12-21T16:16:00.000Z

Some time ago I had this vague idea about making my own Christmas crackers this year, you know with nice little gifts inside and pretty ribbons.Well anyway as I said it was just an idea, then, a couple of weeks back I saw the very thing down at Tescos, A KIT! Yes DIY, make your own, HAND MADE, personalised, it had words like 'JUST' and 'SIMPLY' in the instructions.... I should have known then that those words cannot be put in any set of instructions no matter what the project is! But no, I just put them away to do sometime before Christmas lunch.. Lucky then that I found myself with an unexpected day off today due to the vagueries of letting agents, (an unreliable bunch at the best of times). So aha! I thought CRACKERS it is, just the job .............. I only had to make 5, normally it would have been a dozen, but not this year, -- thank God! So I started with 'simply roll the card into a cylinder and slip the tabs into the pre-cut slots' WHAT?? I rolled it and FORCED the first tab in, then I went for the second one, the first one popped out, how can something so hard to get in come out so easily? After several more attempts and a lot of sellotape I had 1 very battered looking tube of card! Now for the ribbon, 'take a length of ribbon' STUPID CURLY LIFE OF IT'S OWN RIBBON is what it should have said.. By the fourth cracker I felt I was making progress even if they were all held together with tape. Now for the GIFT! Well that was a laugh, it dropped in ok but try getting a stiff folded gold hat and a joke in as well (did I say JOKE)? I poked and prodded with the scissors, a pen, even tweezers... As I said by the fourth one I had devised a cunning method, now to tie the OTHER END. Did I mention that the BANG was glued to both ends of the cracker? Very silly design, as when the first end is tied the BANG twists and gets in the way, so now tying the other end makes it all SQUIFFY and makes the last tab burst out AGAIN!!! TWO HOURS later I finally had 5 crackers finished although not strictly as per instructions, and they'll never pull apart, I reckon we'll have to cut them open. I worked out that the wretched things cost 5 or 6 quid each which is pretty appalling . Next year I'll definately be buying them..

Christmas

2005-12-18T21:20:00.000Z

Hi everyone, at last I've got time to post! Well we have been so busy since BJ, I've barely managed the odd comment. Last weekend we were up in Norfolk to see some of my family, especially my mum who is 83 and seems to shrink every time I see her.We had a good time and caught up with all the news from my old home, and we did the Christmas lunch bit etc. Also I saw my sister, my niece and my great niece, 4 generations of women, very powerful! This week I've had a great night out with my girlfriends, then on Friday with Marks company, a wonderful riverboat cruise/dinner/disco on the Thames from Tower Bridge to the Thames Barrier. It's so beautiful at night when all the buildings are floodlit, then last night we were out to celebrate a friends birthday at The Latin in the Lanes which is my favourite Italian restaurant in Brighton. Anyway I've done our tree at last and it looks so pretty, I change the colours each year (it's a girl thing). There's only one thing that never changes and thats THE FAIRY. She is 50 years old and actually started life as an ordinary doll when I was 3 years old. I was brought up quite strictly post war time and we were taught to look after our toys,so she has survived, much loved but in good condition. I'm not sure when she was promoted to FAIRY status, probably when I was 9 or 10. She's been making her magic for a long time though and has had the occasional new dress along the way. This year she was looking a little faded so now has not only a new dress but new wings too! Well thats it for now, have a great week!

Oh What A Night!

2005-12-05T14:56:00.000Z

Well what a night it was! The excitement of getting ready, making sure we got there in good time, hoping it wouldn't rain, making sure we had everything, camera, new batteries, sat nav in case we can't find it. We were only doing an hours drive! ! What about all those intrepid Bloggers from the States and Holand and Italy? So we found it first time, parked easily and for free ........ not too close to the river, we know about high tides! (unlike our poor friends!) .. Into the pub and there they are, Koos, Gary,Steph,Debby and Jim, how fantastic is that? Drinks for everyone, plates of sausage and mash, fish and chips. Then, 'Where's Marietta' says someone and with that in she walks, what a star! Much chatting and questions, more Bloggers arriving, it's time to get down to the gates to be at the front of the queue. It's freezing but no one cares and we stand like excited children, hopping around talking loudly for 45 minutes waiting to be let in..... The light goes on, the gates open, tickets are checked and we're off! Up the path and into the studio. There's a bar and some CD's to buy, but we go straight in to see our venue for the evening. It looks FABULOUS, transformed into an intimate and comfortable place for friends to sit. There are gold chairs with red velvet seats and round tables with red cloths and tea lights in little red glass holders, it looks so cosy and really quite festive now I come to think of it. I'm not going to go on to describe all the artistes as others will do it better and with photos, suffice to say it was a shining evening full of life and love and incredible talent. One of the highlights was when Marietta and Mark and I were invited by Rachel to take a look at the Attic during the second interval. As we walked into the control room there was PETE standing right in front of us ! ! ! He was very kind and we all shook hands then we went into the attic and Rachel said we should sit down, the next thing you know we're on BJ live !! Oh my God!! The rest of the evening went past in a dream, the whole crew on stage for the last number, what a wonderful sound. We left much later and dropped Blogger Debbie and her man back at their hotel before driving home to the sounds of sweet and lovely Mikey and the rugged Simon. THANKS RACHEL AND PETE AND EVERYONE FOR A BRILLIANT NIGHT

Busy Busy

2005-11-29T08:40:00.000Z

Hi everyone, well where did last week go then? I have been so busy that last week just disappeared without trace. The trouble with going away for the weekend is that all the work is still there when you get back! We did have a fantastic weekend though, very relaxing. For anyone who doesn't know, www.laterooms.com is brilliant for getting hotel rooms at knockdown rates. We were really lucky and got 1/2 price. The Vibrants were brill, the taxi driver nearly killed us all (twice), God white knuckle ride or what, and he wanted us to call him for the return trip!!!! I don't think so! We got a black cab back. Sunday we wandered round Richmond for an hour or so, then visited my aunt in Sheen, a couple of miles down from Richmond, and had coffee then Sunday lunch at a pub on Ham Common which is a very pretty place.Then on to anther aunt for afternoon tea. Yes Molly we do have it sometimes! The house moving saga continues, what a performance house buying is in this country. The original purchase fell through so was a complete waste of time and energy Grrrrrrrrrrr Anyway now we have started again with a different house so hope to move mid January. In the meantime we are surrounded by boxes and with Christmas just around the corner it's all getting a bit cluttered! I've been making my grandaughters fleece covered bean bags and also little fleece dresses and hats, Sooooo cute and cuddley, think I might start selling on ebay. Well guys I have just masses of paperwork to do so that's it for now. We are so looking forward to Sunday when we'll be meeting up with Marietta and Mikey and Rene again and GARY and STEPH who are coming over. So see you all very soon.

A Sunny Monday Morning

2005-11-21T10:56:00.000Z

Well what a busy weekend.... and what a beautiful Monday morning! It's cold and frosty and the sun is shining in a clear pale blue sky. Has anyone noticed the sunsets this past week? They have been stunning with streaks of pink and that lovely turquoisey blue that only lasts for a few minutes, then red and gold .......... fantastic. Friday night started with a night out with the girls at a leaving do. A friend and his family emigrating to Perth in the next couple of weeks. He said every day when he gets home something else is missing (they are selling everything) and are now down to camping status. Saturday was a long working day in Brighton, again a glorious day and the sea sparkling in the sunshine. Then out to eat with friends ( Italian, my favourite) and home very late indeed. Sunday, late up, coffee and cinnamon bagels (yum), then into town to visit Marks mum. Next a quick whizz round the shops then home. Marks brother and wife called round and stayed for supper and Roxy and I were treated to the painfull twangings (is that a word?) of Mark and Neil practising their limited guitar skills...... OOOOHHHHH it can only get better .. please God. So thats me up to date with you all. Looking forward to Wednesdays' In The Attic. Have a good start to the week, Think POSITIVE and PEACEFUL j xx

My Organic Weekend

2005-11-15T17:15:00.000Z

Hi everyone, hope you all had good weekends. I have been down to Somerset to see my darling grandaughter and to celebrate her 2nd birthday. We had a lovely time and she loved opening her parcels and trying on her new clothes.We did playdough and reading and dancing and singing and her favourite game of playing with balloons. She'd never had them before so didn't know they burst if you sit on them!! They are a very health conscious lot so we made an ORGANIC birthday cake which turned out to be nicer than it looked.... yum We went to the park and played on the swings, (she's so brave!) . Later after tea I did the bath and storytime which was very cuddley and cosy. Then my son made us a lovely ORGANIC chicken casserole which was delicious, washed down with a couple of bottles of Non Organic Red ( my idea!!) and we all slept well. The next morning Daisy ate her breakfast and then half of mine. Then she got on with some serious playing while Toby and I hung the curtains I'd made. They've been decorating so I thought I'd help out a bit.. Then we all went off to an ORGANIC deli for an ORGANIC lunch, you know the sort of faded posh place. It was busy with public school boys having treats with their parents after the Rememberance Service, and older ladies with grey Not Permed Hair and corduroy trousers and fusty old cardigans that must have been expensive once.... Anyway the food was good and so was the people watching, (I love looking into other peoples worlds). I felt a bit sad as I drove away, leaving a part of my family to carry on their Sunday afternoon lives as usual. Ah well, I just popped in and it was a nice break.........

Mine Eyes !!

2005-11-08T21:45:00.000Z

I've been back to the opticians today, Specsavers actually,they are such nice people.

Having practised at home for 5 days (what a laugh that was), I was back for 'The Verdict'

I feel like the Mum in the telly ad.

Well that got off to a dodgy start because I read the time wrong on the card,(it's so small) the 2 looked like a 3 to me, so I was nearly an hour late. But no matter, they were really sweet and saw me straight away even though they were fully booked. I felt a bit guilty about that.

Anyway I did it the chin - shelf and boobs thing AGAIN, look up, down, round the back etc. -- Orange Eye Drops coming up. By this time I can't breathe let alone see!

' Have you brought your glasses?'

' Yes'

'Oh good you can take them out'

So I rummage, watery eyed, in my bag and hand him the said specs (reasonable?)

' Have you taken them out?'

' I gave them to you ----------------- what?'

' Have you taken your lenses out?'

Well of course I haven't, what does he think I am, a magician?!!

' What without a mirror?'

' There's one in front of you'

Oh God now he thinks I'm a total LUNATIC, it's about 2 inches from my nose

I try but no luck, and now I'm starting that idiot laugh

' Sit down and I'll do it for you'

It's like school, and now I'm having an hysterical laughing fit

So I tell him I need a stronger reading lens

He puts the BIG BLACK SPECS on me

'Oh yes thats much better'

'I haven't put the lenses in yet'

Oh God!

He writes notes about stronger lenses and asks if I want the Easycare Scheme, do I , I don't know

'Yes you do'

'Why'

Triumphantly he says, 'Because we post them to you so you won't have to remember to collect them'

'OK'

Oh God, I don't feel like the telly Mum now, and I've got ORANGE EYES !!!

Beverly Shideler

2005-11-03T22:36:00.000Z

This is a photo of proffessional sculptor Beverly Shideler (Kid Rics friend) Mark T and me. We visited her exhibition at Plumpton Green this evening. She is a very talented and lovely lady and we really liked her work.

Weather and a posh do

2005-10-31T13:08:00.000Z

Well here we are on a damp old Monday lunchtime...one of those days when it never really does anything properly. The sun looks as if it might just appear but never quite gets out, it rains a bit, sort of, but not so you get wet, it's not really cold, still warmish in fact. But in the supermarket just now there were people done up for a winters day, anoracks, hats, boots you name it,.... and then theres a guy who looks like he's off to the beach!! They say the British are obsessed with the weather, but really, are you surprised!?? On Saturday evening we attended a fairly formal poshish kind of a do, (not something we do all that often). Now, I'm well known amongst family and friends as not being too successful with food and drink....(in a tidy eating kind of way), liquid seems to plop from my glass when I've hardly moved, and food leaps recklessly onto my chest with out a second thought. I can't help it, I don't mean it to happen, I'm not clumsy (no really), I think I probably try too hard to be careful and end up making it worse! So there I am, we've arrived late (traffic) everyone is seated so all eyes are on us as we are invited to sit in the only remaining seats next to the Main Man and his Wife. Mark is looking nervous........... But no matter, the duck pate and toast is a breeze, no crumbs disappearing down my cleavage.... 'red wine madam? ' yes please, not a drop spilt, marvellous, ... chat chat . Later comes the wonderful spead, a COLD BUFFET, no problem, the main table, that's us, must go first,... away we go, oh so polite. I know I must be careful, high heels and shiny floors can be a bit dicey. My plate is gradually filled with delicious morsels, a little of this and just a small bit of the salmon, ( oh I like everything), the nice waitresses are so happy I'm not the picky type. Until the very last dish that is, buttered new potatoes, I think no, I don't need any more, but the waitress is having none of it! You've had everything else you'll have my spuds! So on they go, oh well never mind I've done okay so far there's just the LONG WALK back to my table. Oh God it's a long way with a full plate.. ... You know how people look and watch when it's not ther turn, seeing how much you got....so head up, walk gracefully across that slippy old floor, half way then PLOP, a large BUTTERED SPUD goes careering across the dance floor, leaving it's buttery trail behind. Oh really! I'm mortified , why me, why not the skinny cow with two bits of lettuce and a few prawns?? Now I have to work out how to bend down , in high heels and holding a groaning plate, pick up the said slippery spud and get back to my table in one piece. Mark is looking a bit funny which makes me want to laugh. Luckily AFTER I've nearly crippled myself retrieving it in an elegant manner, a waitress scuttles alongside and rescues it, I retreat to my seat and eat SLOWLY and CAREFULLY.

Surprises

2005-10-29T00:26:00.000+01:00

Well now, what a busy day.......here there and everywhere, a day full of surprises! Went for the said contact lens tests, it was so funny..... i had to put my chin on this little chin shelf.... but, bit of a problem... short neck and big boobs = can't get near the stupid thing, it gave me a fit of the giggles and that set the nice optician man off too. In the end i had to hang on to the sides and stretch my poor little neck as far as possible, squashing boobs and not being able to breathe! Anyway it turns out I'm suitable for lenses, thank god, I don't fancy doing it again.. I had some pictures of my georgeous grandaughter today, she'll be 2 next week and is very sweet. Enough, it's very late and I have an early start to another busy day

Friday already AGAIN!!

2005-10-28T07:29:00.000+01:00

Well here we go again...can you believe the clocks go back Saturday night? That means it'll be dark by tea time.....gloomy in one way but kind of promisingly cosy as well. Do you have that in the States I wonder? It was nice to hear from Marietta this week, also love Mollys ballet shoe pics. Busy day today, appointments all day AND........ I'm going to see about contact lenses this aternoon as well. I've never tried them before but I reckon they'll be good, so quite excited about that. Had a bit of a disaster yesterday, spent a good hour doing an inventory, then I had a tiny wrong twitch of Peter Pointer and deleted the whole thing, so I did swear a bit! ..........good job Mark wasn't around (he's on a no swearing week) ..ho ho So onwards with the day, it's just about light now and guess what ....Raining Again, although yesterday was fabulous and sunny. Have a good weekend everyone out there in Blogland

Tuesday

2005-10-25T19:20:00.000+01:00

Another amazingly wet and windy day here........ spent the morning tidying my office stuff, it was getting just too awful.... out for 2 jobs this afternoon. Will be watching enders in a mo, love it..

Sunday afternoon

2005-10-23T17:02:00.000+01:00

Well I love this time on a Sunday, we've had a really nice weekend and still have the evening ahead. The sun is just going down and the lounge is filled with light, it's still warm too. Went shopping in Crawley late morning, bought 2 gardening books, I'm planning to make the garden at our new house really special. We should be moving in a few weeks......we had coffee and generally chilled... Saturday I had 4 jobs but Mark came with me, so we spent the day together.... in the evening I went for drinks and a Chinese with some of my girlfriends which was lovely, I hadn't seen some of them for a couple of months. They all work in admin at a private hospital, (I worked there for 2 years) so the conversation is always about the consultants and hilarious ........ So I think we'll probably wander out tonight for a while, then onwards to another week........

Friday already

2005-10-21T08:25:00.000+01:00

So here comes the weekend again, out tonight, Mark wants to sing or find a band to watch, or both. Weather is crap so hope it dries up tonight, I hate getting wet! Not much work on today, unusual for a Friday, most people tend to move at the weekends, so I will be packing stuff for our own move. Does anyone else out there think that conveyancing is money for old rope? What do they do that takes soooooooo LONG?? .... No offence to any conveyancers reading this! I just wonder.

the 1st post

2005-10-21T04:50:00.000+01:00

hi , this is my brand new blog! my name is jill and i'm just about to find out how to do this stuff, so more later!