8 January 2008
Another year starts and the weather cannot make up it's mind what to do with itself. The promised snow was no more than a sprinkle which did not worry me but OH was extremely disappointed.
The window saga is ongoing. We were somewhat startled to receive a letter from the company's Managing Director to tell us that he was very disappointed with the way that the fitter had handled the installation (missing off two things which were to be done, arriving late, not sealing one window at all on the exterior etc.,) and that he had let the fitter go. He assured us that it was not solely as a result of my letter but a cumulation of difficulties which made me feel better because the young man involved was a really pleasant young chap - but he didn't do the job properly.
One of the reasons we had chosen this company who have now completed all our windows, doors and a conservatory, was that we were impressed by the attention to detail and that all fitters, materials and supervisors had always turned up on time and cleared up leaving a good, professional job behind them and I was sad that the young man in question had not taken advantage of the opportunity offered to work for a really good firm.
Another year starts and the weather cannot make up it's mind what to do with itself. The promised snow was no more than a sprinkle which did not worry me but OH was extremely disappointed.
The window saga is ongoing. We were somewhat startled to receive a letter from the company's Managing Director to tell us that he was very disappointed with the way that the fitter had handled the installation (missing off two things which were to be done, arriving late, not sealing one window at all on the exterior etc.,) and that he had let the fitter go. He assured us that it was not solely as a result of my letter but a cumulation of difficulties which made me feel better because the young man involved was a really pleasant young chap - but he didn't do the job properly.
One of the reasons we had chosen this company who have now completed all our windows, doors and a conservatory, was that we were impressed by the attention to detail and that all fitters, materials and supervisors had always turned up on time and cleared up leaving a good, professional job behind them and I was sad that the young man in question had not taken advantage of the opportunity offered to work for a really good firm.
22 January 2008
We do not have a flat-screen plasma television so were a bit surprised to receive a correctly addressed letter concerning the renewal of the guarantee on this from a well-known electrical company. OH discovered that we had bought a chest freezer from this company about March last year and concluded that this must therefore be the flat-screen plasma TV. Wouldn't hold much food, though.
We do not have a flat-screen plasma television so were a bit surprised to receive a correctly addressed letter concerning the renewal of the guarantee on this from a well-known electrical company. OH discovered that we had bought a chest freezer from this company about March last year and concluded that this must therefore be the flat-screen plasma TV. Wouldn't hold much food, though.
9 February 2008
A friend has found a lost dog in some kennels not far away and today she had her house inspected and was passed fit to have the dog - this despite having kept dogs for most of her adult life. It is, of course, important that lost dogs are properly homed and not farmed out to any old soul but it has been a bit of a stressful time for A whose last dog died over three years ago so this has been a big decision for her and not one undertaken lightly.
It caused me to reflect on various things; not the least that it is perfectly possible to buy a puppy from a dealer without any sort of check at all and it is a sad fact that January/February is the peak time for dogs to be turned out from a home where the decision has been made that this is no longer a home for them. I have kept dogs most of my life save for the last ten years when it has simply not been possible for practical reasons and when A confided in me yesterday it was a toss-up as to who was the most excited about her news.
I am really thrilled for her and will be able to go with her on Monday to meet the dog whom the kennels have curiously named Bambi although she is a bitch and not a deer, then on Friday, all being well, the dog will take up residence. It will be so lovely to visit and get to know the dog and I just hope that nothing goes wrong and nobody claims her between now and then - oh there would be tears, I know.
A friend has found a lost dog in some kennels not far away and today she had her house inspected and was passed fit to have the dog - this despite having kept dogs for most of her adult life. It is, of course, important that lost dogs are properly homed and not farmed out to any old soul but it has been a bit of a stressful time for A whose last dog died over three years ago so this has been a big decision for her and not one undertaken lightly.
It caused me to reflect on various things; not the least that it is perfectly possible to buy a puppy from a dealer without any sort of check at all and it is a sad fact that January/February is the peak time for dogs to be turned out from a home where the decision has been made that this is no longer a home for them. I have kept dogs most of my life save for the last ten years when it has simply not been possible for practical reasons and when A confided in me yesterday it was a toss-up as to who was the most excited about her news.
I am really thrilled for her and will be able to go with her on Monday to meet the dog whom the kennels have curiously named Bambi although she is a bitch and not a deer, then on Friday, all being well, the dog will take up residence. It will be so lovely to visit and get to know the dog and I just hope that nothing goes wrong and nobody claims her between now and then - oh there would be tears, I know.
11 February 2008
My friend A and I have been today to see her lovely dog and it was hard to tell who was the more excited. The dog is just lovely although bewildered at the place where she now finds herself; she does not appear to have been ill-treated and does not cower away when approached but the kennels is a myriad of smells, sounds, other dogs, dog walkers and kennel maids and it is clear she does not know which way to turn sometimes.
The day was glorious, sunny with blue sky although chilly and our little walk round a field was on the top of one of the escarpments round here with beautiful views. I am to be allowed to go with A on Friday to collect the dog and bring her home and I am so pleased. Robinson was not pleased when I got home and his disdainful sniff at my trousers was evidence that even if I could cope with a dog, certainly he would not be prepared to! Cats rule!
My friend A and I have been today to see her lovely dog and it was hard to tell who was the more excited. The dog is just lovely although bewildered at the place where she now finds herself; she does not appear to have been ill-treated and does not cower away when approached but the kennels is a myriad of smells, sounds, other dogs, dog walkers and kennel maids and it is clear she does not know which way to turn sometimes.
The day was glorious, sunny with blue sky although chilly and our little walk round a field was on the top of one of the escarpments round here with beautiful views. I am to be allowed to go with A on Friday to collect the dog and bring her home and I am so pleased. Robinson was not pleased when I got home and his disdainful sniff at my trousers was evidence that even if I could cope with a dog, certainly he would not be prepared to! Cats rule!
26 February 2008
Well, there seems to be some small problems in the dog area with A and her new acquisition. A rescue dog is always a challenge and although there was quite a lot of hope in the beginning of A's relationship with her, it has become evident over the last week that challenge is a small word for the stress which is being felt on both parts. It would seem that the dog has been kept indoors quite a lot and has been trained to use newspapers in the house as her toilet area. This was after she has ruined A's beige carpet as the newspapers were not put down in the place which the dog wanted to use.
When I first saw her I was surprised by the length of her claws and also that she was neither spayed nor micro-chipped but if, as I now suspect, she has been kept indoors all the time then that is explained. Having been initially told by the kennels that she is about four, A's own vet seems to think she is no more than two and I think that fits her better. A is struggling as she loves the dog, who is beautiful, good-natured and elegant but has this one flaw which is fairly major. After a two-hour walk at a local National Trust property the dog was returned home having not performed at all and promptly peed on the carpet. It may be that she is fearful of being vulnerable outdoors but I cannot see A putting up with this for long.
The Saturday before last I went to a Singing Day arranged by one of the Choral Societies with which I sing and we learned the Karl Jenkins setting of the Requiem Mass which was really good. One of the best bits is that some of the movements are haiku and we were lucky enough to have a Japanese lady who teaches at one of the local sixth-form colleges to speak to us for an hour on the subject of these spare poems, telling us some of their history and teaching us how to pronounce them correctly. It was a beautiful day and I had invited a couple of friends to go with me which made it all the more special and I shall never hear this piece again without remembering the lovely lady who explained so much to us.
Well, there seems to be some small problems in the dog area with A and her new acquisition. A rescue dog is always a challenge and although there was quite a lot of hope in the beginning of A's relationship with her, it has become evident over the last week that challenge is a small word for the stress which is being felt on both parts. It would seem that the dog has been kept indoors quite a lot and has been trained to use newspapers in the house as her toilet area. This was after she has ruined A's beige carpet as the newspapers were not put down in the place which the dog wanted to use.
When I first saw her I was surprised by the length of her claws and also that she was neither spayed nor micro-chipped but if, as I now suspect, she has been kept indoors all the time then that is explained. Having been initially told by the kennels that she is about four, A's own vet seems to think she is no more than two and I think that fits her better. A is struggling as she loves the dog, who is beautiful, good-natured and elegant but has this one flaw which is fairly major. After a two-hour walk at a local National Trust property the dog was returned home having not performed at all and promptly peed on the carpet. It may be that she is fearful of being vulnerable outdoors but I cannot see A putting up with this for long.
The Saturday before last I went to a Singing Day arranged by one of the Choral Societies with which I sing and we learned the Karl Jenkins setting of the Requiem Mass which was really good. One of the best bits is that some of the movements are haiku and we were lucky enough to have a Japanese lady who teaches at one of the local sixth-form colleges to speak to us for an hour on the subject of these spare poems, telling us some of their history and teaching us how to pronounce them correctly. It was a beautiful day and I had invited a couple of friends to go with me which made it all the more special and I shall never hear this piece again without remembering the lovely lady who explained so much to us.
6 March 2008
I am really tired having just rehearsed for two hours following driving 40 miles each way across country which would be a joy were it not for the road works, road works and oh the road works.
Somehow I have been put in charge of the flowers which will be presented to the soloists and conductor at our concert on Saturday but I am a bit more blasé about it this time as it is the second time I have been allowed to do it. The last concert in November was much more fraught and I worried for at least a week before the event. Wrapping a single red rose in cellophane from a roll was much more difficult than I had anticipated; the first ones looked very amateur but I got the knack in the end. This time I have some lovely yellow roses, speciality tulips and will use greenery from the garden and feel much more relaxed about the whole thing. It is curious that I have been quite happy to do flower arrangements for church for Harvest and Christmas and they did not cause as many sleepless nights as a couple of bouquets and some red roses. Funny that.
I am really tired having just rehearsed for two hours following driving 40 miles each way across country which would be a joy were it not for the road works, road works and oh the road works.
Somehow I have been put in charge of the flowers which will be presented to the soloists and conductor at our concert on Saturday but I am a bit more blasé about it this time as it is the second time I have been allowed to do it. The last concert in November was much more fraught and I worried for at least a week before the event. Wrapping a single red rose in cellophane from a roll was much more difficult than I had anticipated; the first ones looked very amateur but I got the knack in the end. This time I have some lovely yellow roses, speciality tulips and will use greenery from the garden and feel much more relaxed about the whole thing. It is curious that I have been quite happy to do flower arrangements for church for Harvest and Christmas and they did not cause as many sleepless nights as a couple of bouquets and some red roses. Funny that.
8 March 2008
Well, it serves me right for being blasé about the flowers. Last night we drove to the Wirral to take my sister and brother-in-law for a meal as it was her birthday. We got lost as my lovely brother-in-law had misread the map but ended up in a posh place called The Cowshed. The food was excellent, likewise the company and the conversation but we did not arrive home until nearly 12.45 and then, of course, had to chat and have a cuppa so it was late to bed. I decided that I would wrap up the flowers, having done loose arrangements of them, before I left for rehearsal at around 1.55 pm today.
At about 1pm I confidently set about wrapping these flowers and got out my roll of cellophane and proceeded to pull off around a foot - and that was all. Panic stations and much recrimination that I had been so laid back and sure I was organised that disaster had struck. In case any one wonders it is vital to wrap up the flowers so that pollen, drips and the occasional petal does not mark the very expensive frock, tailcoat or whatever is the cut of the day. Lovely OH immediately rescued me and drove down to the village where by some miracle the florist was still open. Saved my bacon big style.
The concert was a triumph although the organisation was a little floored by the number of people who wanted to come and listen. It is a new venue for our choir and a bit of a learning curve but anyway 120 chairs had been put out and when they were filled with sitters there were still more people arriving at the door. Much logistical sorting out followed and ten minutes late the concert began with, what I am assured, was standing room only at the back. Whew! That'll teach me to relax.
Well, it serves me right for being blasé about the flowers. Last night we drove to the Wirral to take my sister and brother-in-law for a meal as it was her birthday. We got lost as my lovely brother-in-law had misread the map but ended up in a posh place called The Cowshed. The food was excellent, likewise the company and the conversation but we did not arrive home until nearly 12.45 and then, of course, had to chat and have a cuppa so it was late to bed. I decided that I would wrap up the flowers, having done loose arrangements of them, before I left for rehearsal at around 1.55 pm today.
At about 1pm I confidently set about wrapping these flowers and got out my roll of cellophane and proceeded to pull off around a foot - and that was all. Panic stations and much recrimination that I had been so laid back and sure I was organised that disaster had struck. In case any one wonders it is vital to wrap up the flowers so that pollen, drips and the occasional petal does not mark the very expensive frock, tailcoat or whatever is the cut of the day. Lovely OH immediately rescued me and drove down to the village where by some miracle the florist was still open. Saved my bacon big style.
The concert was a triumph although the organisation was a little floored by the number of people who wanted to come and listen. It is a new venue for our choir and a bit of a learning curve but anyway 120 chairs had been put out and when they were filled with sitters there were still more people arriving at the door. Much logistical sorting out followed and ten minutes late the concert began with, what I am assured, was standing room only at the back. Whew! That'll teach me to relax.
13 March 2008
After ten consecutive nights going out today I have promised myself that I can do nothing and not feel guilty but that is so hard; I feel I should be getting up to date with stuff and maybe I will. I have undertaken to knit some mittens for Operation Christmas Child which our church starts very early in the year and takes very seriously. Last year they managed to send nearly 1500 boxes and some of the pictures of children receiving the gifts bring tears to your eyes. Knitting is therapeutic for me and good for creaky arthritic fingers so I will get on with those I think.Toys are not allowed to be put in the boxes but you can do mittens with little faces on them which can be used as glove puppets which breaks the monotony a bit and it is a splendid way to use up all the stack of wool I have which was to knit wonderful sweaters etc., for me and I have never done them. On my own I could probably supply all the wool for the whole church!
After ten consecutive nights going out today I have promised myself that I can do nothing and not feel guilty but that is so hard; I feel I should be getting up to date with stuff and maybe I will. I have undertaken to knit some mittens for Operation Christmas Child which our church starts very early in the year and takes very seriously. Last year they managed to send nearly 1500 boxes and some of the pictures of children receiving the gifts bring tears to your eyes. Knitting is therapeutic for me and good for creaky arthritic fingers so I will get on with those I think.Toys are not allowed to be put in the boxes but you can do mittens with little faces on them which can be used as glove puppets which breaks the monotony a bit and it is a splendid way to use up all the stack of wool I have which was to knit wonderful sweaters etc., for me and I have never done them. On my own I could probably supply all the wool for the whole church!
27 January 2008
What joy - a day when I not only could get out in the garden but also felt well enough to do that. All the pots have had a bit of attention and some pansies, primulas and heathers which I bought whilst with my friend Anne in the autumn have now, at last, been planted. I love being in amongst the plants and the only thing I have to watch is that I do too much and get too cold and that is not good for me. OH used the garden hoover which lives in a place inaccessible to me but as long as he is prepared to use it that is OK with me.
When I planned the garden I did try to pick plants which would thrive in our heavy clay - little did I think that heavy clay would become treacle pudding clay but that is a consequence of lots of rain and not much sun. Two dry days have meant that leaves are eaten by the hoover very easily and all looks much better now, we could just do with some sun but that is unrealistic in January.
What joy - a day when I not only could get out in the garden but also felt well enough to do that. All the pots have had a bit of attention and some pansies, primulas and heathers which I bought whilst with my friend Anne in the autumn have now, at last, been planted. I love being in amongst the plants and the only thing I have to watch is that I do too much and get too cold and that is not good for me. OH used the garden hoover which lives in a place inaccessible to me but as long as he is prepared to use it that is OK with me.
When I planned the garden I did try to pick plants which would thrive in our heavy clay - little did I think that heavy clay would become treacle pudding clay but that is a consequence of lots of rain and not much sun. Two dry days have meant that leaves are eaten by the hoover very easily and all looks much better now, we could just do with some sun but that is unrealistic in January.
26 January 2008
We have a new sofa. It is splendid and has reclining bits so that you can fall asleep more comfortably watching television. It's delivery has meant a complete re-hash of our sitting room with the result that both OH and myself are a bit tired and in need of a sit-down but not in as much need as Robinson. He obviously had a catfrontation in the early morning with a black and white cat who thought venturing into his domain would be OK and it would seem that Robinson lost the battle in a somewhat undignified fashion by losing his back legs into the frog pond.
Although he is thirteen and a half years old, Robinson has never quite got to grips with the usual cat mania for washing himself and indeed we have in the past resorted to Bob Martin's grubby cat wipes which do prompt some activity in the washing department but are sadly, not easy to find. OH arrived at my bedside with a cup of tea and advised that he had locked Robinson in the kitchen until we could do a bit of remedial work. This required two people and towels both to wipe up and protect us from his evil, half-inch long claws. We were partly successful in the wiping and avoiding bit but I was horrified to find when I sat down to read my mail that the cushion on my chair was damp.
"Oh", said OH, "that's where he usually sits when you are not at home". The cushion has been rapidly moved to another chair as I do not want to continue the practice of sitting having breakfast in my pjs which I then wear for another night to bed! Meanwhile, Robinson has now been lying on cushions in the study under a hot radiator for the last six hours and he shows no signs of movement. Obviously he has lost face.
We have a new sofa. It is splendid and has reclining bits so that you can fall asleep more comfortably watching television. It's delivery has meant a complete re-hash of our sitting room with the result that both OH and myself are a bit tired and in need of a sit-down but not in as much need as Robinson. He obviously had a catfrontation in the early morning with a black and white cat who thought venturing into his domain would be OK and it would seem that Robinson lost the battle in a somewhat undignified fashion by losing his back legs into the frog pond.
Although he is thirteen and a half years old, Robinson has never quite got to grips with the usual cat mania for washing himself and indeed we have in the past resorted to Bob Martin's grubby cat wipes which do prompt some activity in the washing department but are sadly, not easy to find. OH arrived at my bedside with a cup of tea and advised that he had locked Robinson in the kitchen until we could do a bit of remedial work. This required two people and towels both to wipe up and protect us from his evil, half-inch long claws. We were partly successful in the wiping and avoiding bit but I was horrified to find when I sat down to read my mail that the cushion on my chair was damp.
"Oh", said OH, "that's where he usually sits when you are not at home". The cushion has been rapidly moved to another chair as I do not want to continue the practice of sitting having breakfast in my pjs which I then wear for another night to bed! Meanwhile, Robinson has now been lying on cushions in the study under a hot radiator for the last six hours and he shows no signs of movement. Obviously he has lost face.
6 January 2008
I have a splendid new camera which has so many functions that it will take me a while to get used to it. However, I managed to take some pictures in the garden today which, although not the best quality owing to my mis-management, show that even in winter the colours are really lovely and I am pleased that my planting schemes are turning out well. Of course, a garden is never finished and winter is a good time to look at the framework of what is there and what still needs to be done when the weather improves.
I have a splendid new camera which has so many functions that it will take me a while to get used to it. However, I managed to take some pictures in the garden today which, although not the best quality owing to my mis-management, show that even in winter the colours are really lovely and I am pleased that my planting schemes are turning out well. Of course, a garden is never finished and winter is a good time to look at the framework of what is there and what still needs to be done when the weather improves.
2 February 2008
At four o'clock this morning the world outside was white, silent and magical. Then a bird began singing and I wondered why. By eleven o'clock this morning the world outside was slushy, melting and not too pretty.
Initially I was glad that I had mistaken the time of the kick-off for the England/Wales match and would therefore be able to watch it when we were home from shopping. What a mistake! The first half was going well for England but whatever happened at the half time team talk inspired the team to play like a schoolboy side. Quite dreadful. First time they have lost to Wales at Twickenham since 1988 and boy, did they do it in style.
At four o'clock this morning the world outside was white, silent and magical. Then a bird began singing and I wondered why. By eleven o'clock this morning the world outside was slushy, melting and not too pretty.
Initially I was glad that I had mistaken the time of the kick-off for the England/Wales match and would therefore be able to watch it when we were home from shopping. What a mistake! The first half was going well for England but whatever happened at the half time team talk inspired the team to play like a schoolboy side. Quite dreadful. First time they have lost to Wales at Twickenham since 1988 and boy, did they do it in style.
4 February 2008
Visiting a garden centre is always dangerous for me as I buy plants which I possibly am not going to be able to plant - in other words I impulse buy, particularly if the plant is in the reduced corner and in need of a bit of loving care. I have decided to try to be more disciplined and only buy what I know I will use fairly quickly so when my friend and I went out last Tuesday we looked at plants for pots as mine are looking pretty dire (except the ones I have recently dealt with) and bought some fragrant primroses and pansies.
Then the weather intervened and the plastic trays stood in the porch until on Sunday I was determined to get them planted. I did plant all of them and partly emptied and renewed the baskets hanging from the trellis on the patio. I thought I had come across some terra cotta breakages in the compost from two of them but that was not the case as they turned out to be once more, tiny carrots. OH did not put them with the vegetables for dinner so I thought I had better record them for posterity.
Visiting a garden centre is always dangerous for me as I buy plants which I possibly am not going to be able to plant - in other words I impulse buy, particularly if the plant is in the reduced corner and in need of a bit of loving care. I have decided to try to be more disciplined and only buy what I know I will use fairly quickly so when my friend and I went out last Tuesday we looked at plants for pots as mine are looking pretty dire (except the ones I have recently dealt with) and bought some fragrant primroses and pansies.
Then the weather intervened and the plastic trays stood in the porch until on Sunday I was determined to get them planted. I did plant all of them and partly emptied and renewed the baskets hanging from the trellis on the patio. I thought I had come across some terra cotta breakages in the compost from two of them but that was not the case as they turned out to be once more, tiny carrots. OH did not put them with the vegetables for dinner so I thought I had better record them for posterity.
11 March 2008
Well, I was OK last night - just OK as I slept in a very tense way and woke up with a stiff neck. We had a burglar alarm fitted last week so I was not as nervous as I would have been but I feel a bit spaced out today. I had three phone calls from OH yesterday and I rang him this morning.
Robinson was really funny. He kept sitting by the front door listening for cars in the road and went to bed very reluctantly. Although he is not allowed in the bedroom, when OH is there he will find his way in in the early hours, master a number of obstacles deliberately placed in his way and then sit on the bedside table and gently bop the sleeping OH until he wakes and lets him out (no cat flap as a neighbour had a bad experience with a trapped squirrel) and I wondered what he would do last night. Apart from expecting to be let out at 4.45 when I got up to go to the loo he sat on the landing from where he can view our bed and simply waited until I got up having made no attempt to cross the threshold of the bedroom. I smiled. One of my luxuries (my only weakness) is visiting the chiropodist as my arthritis does not permit me to deal properly with my feet and so I am just off to see the lovely lady who not only does feet but also chat.
Well, I was OK last night - just OK as I slept in a very tense way and woke up with a stiff neck. We had a burglar alarm fitted last week so I was not as nervous as I would have been but I feel a bit spaced out today. I had three phone calls from OH yesterday and I rang him this morning.
Robinson was really funny. He kept sitting by the front door listening for cars in the road and went to bed very reluctantly. Although he is not allowed in the bedroom, when OH is there he will find his way in in the early hours, master a number of obstacles deliberately placed in his way and then sit on the bedside table and gently bop the sleeping OH until he wakes and lets him out (no cat flap as a neighbour had a bad experience with a trapped squirrel) and I wondered what he would do last night. Apart from expecting to be let out at 4.45 when I got up to go to the loo he sat on the landing from where he can view our bed and simply waited until I got up having made no attempt to cross the threshold of the bedroom. I smiled. One of my luxuries (my only weakness) is visiting the chiropodist as my arthritis does not permit me to deal properly with my feet and so I am just off to see the lovely lady who not only does feet but also chat.
10 March 2008
I have had a really hectic couple of weeks and am also feeling a bit odd as for the first time since I moved in with OH eight years ago, we are spending the night apart. He is in a profession which is desk based and it is unusual for him to have to be away so I hope that this is a one-off. I know that it is only one night but he has been such a rock for me through various traumas in my life that I will miss him.
I have had a really hectic couple of weeks and am also feeling a bit odd as for the first time since I moved in with OH eight years ago, we are spending the night apart. He is in a profession which is desk based and it is unusual for him to have to be away so I hope that this is a one-off. I know that it is only one night but he has been such a rock for me through various traumas in my life that I will miss him.
24 March 2008
When the going gets tough outside
When the going gets tough outside
This is what Robinson does best!
