Sunday 25th October

What a wet and windy day today! The clocks went back last night, so we had an extra hour in bed - the best place to be on a day like today. So, I managed to get up and shower and went to church. Our vicar was away and we had a really old man taking his place. he was very slow at everything and, although he had a beautiful speaking voice, I couldn't actually hear him speaking very well, despite the microphones. Never mind, we sang some good hymns!
This afternoon I tried to tidy the back bedroom and sort out some clothes for the charity collection tomorrow. Many of our charities now post a plastic bag for you to fill and coleect it again a few days later. Unfortunately, in some areas, other people have been collecting the bags and making money for themselves. Sometimes it's a sad old world. Anyway, I can almost see my desk top and even the bed!!!!! A couple of hours tomorrow should do it and then I start on the shelves.
I'm in the middle of making a costume for kev to wear at halloween. It looks awful at the moment, but will look Ok when I've finished - I hope. It's only a bit of fun, after all. My Frankenstein head looks good now I've finished it - at least jasper thinks it's scary. Talking of that little monster, he's just drawn blood on my leg - he was catching one of his toys and missed and caught my leg. He's asleep at my feet now and that's how I like it.
I've also been looking at the work of my friend's son. It's called Hippolyte and Jeremie and is so good. We have some pictures of pigs that he drew for us when he was only 14 or 15 and we love them. I wish I could draw half as well.
Anyway, time for coffee so I'll close now.

22nd October

Well it's been a beautiful week this week - bright autumn sunshine and the trees are so gorgeous. Last Saturday we went for a drive into Derbyshire. We bought a picture in an exhibition a few weeks ago and we went to pick it up. Not that it's on the wall yet, but will be this weekend....I hope! Then we have the garage to sort out - what a job!
Jasper's good - still ripping paper etc.but generally improving. He began his Kennel Club Good Citizen bronze award on Tuesday night and did quite well for a little fella. Whether he'll pass at the end I don't know - here's hoping.
I've been into Manchester today visiting a member of our Trefoil Guild. She's just had her 80th birthday but fell at home last week and broke her hip. She's had surgery this week and looked better than I expected, but I would think that she'll see some changes in her life. She lives alone and her family are in Australia so I don't know whether she'll go into sheltered housing or whether some support will be put in place for her. She's a grand lady - feisty and full of fun. her mind is sharper than mine (not hard) and she tells some wonderful stories.
Guides is closed for 2 weeks as the hall is being used. Last week we took them swimming in Stockport, but the pool was being used.So we went to the pictures to see 'Up' the new Disney film. I don't usually like animated films but this was really good. I'm not a great cinema fan, so if I enjoyed it, it must be good!!
Well I shall have a cuppa now and then try to get Kevin to try on his costume for Hallowe'en!! A sight to be seen, I think.

Sunday 11th October

I can't remember when I did my last blog, but it must have been a few days ago. I have just finished getting our small former dining room floor clean as we are having a wooden floor laid tomorrow .......at last! We seem to have spent the last couple of days moving things from one place to another. Last night we went out with friends for a chinese banquet in Manchester. It was pretty good and we ate far too much, of course. When we drove into the city centre there were so many police around that we wondered what was going on, but then remembered that there had been a demonstration in the afternoon. We didn't see any trouble, thankfully.
Today has been parade day - it was Harvest and baptism at church this morning and then I was invited to a standard service in the afternoon. It was good to see al the kids taking part but also rather sad. The service was dedicated to a 7 year old brownie who had died last december of a brain tumour. Mum and dad were there, but how they coped, I don't know. The guides had made up a lovely song which was very moving.
On to happier things - my Jasper is growing very tall and takes full advantage of this. His latest trick is to grab anyhing he can off any surface he can reach, which is pretty well everything! Today he has removed a bottle of wine from the wine rack, a hammer from Kev's toolbox, a milk bottle, thankfully empty and various pieces of paper, socks, hankies etc. Goodness knows what goes into his little tum but he's impossible to catch.
Well, the smell of coffee has just drifted across my nostrils, so i must go for my injection of caffeine.

Tues 6th October

Have you had one of those days? It has rained hard all day - my washing basket is full,but I can't wash because I can't get things dry- the drier is behind all the bookcases in the garage. Don't ask me why we have our bookcases in the drier, it would take too long to answer. Jasper has been a bit of a hooligan today. he shreds everything he can get hold of and the house looks like a litterbin a lot of the time. Kev's out tonight and I had a million, well four, things to do and I have done 2. I haven't done my homework for art yet - looks like I'll be up late.
I had a lovely weekend. I had to go to a National Conference for the Trefoil Guild and I didn't really know anybody very well, if at all, so I was quite apprehensive. However, the drive down through the Peak District was lovely. All the trees were just beginning to show their autumn colours and the sun was shining. - just my kind of day! The conference centre was OK, at least I had my own room and the sessions were interesting. As always with guide functions, we stayed up far too late and had plenty of laughs. I did miss the younger people though, as most of the Trefoil are over 60 in age if not in spirit. Last night I had another meeting in Manchester and have two more this week, so I'll be absolutely sick of meetings!!
This afternoon it was praise and play for the little ones. Some of them have moved on to school this term but we have several new ones who are quite small. I took my 'harvest' bag with me and took out a banana, onion, potato etc. Where does all the food come from? Tesco's, of course!!
Well, I'd better get my homework done as Jasper is having a little nap. I've just discovered a jazz programme on the radio so I'm enjoying that while I am writing.

Monday

Gosh! My life is so exciting....not! I didn't sleep well last night, which is very unusual. I had to get up at a reasonable time as we had to try to get Jasper an appointment with the vet to have his anal glands cleared. No appointments available until tomorrow at ten. Then we went shopping for a new fridge freezer as the one we have is leaking all over the place - there's a story to this which I won't bore you with. Jasper went to doggy day camp for 4 hours while we shopped - it's like a doggy nursery where they all play together and have fun with lots of toys etc. in a big arena. Jasper loves it and he gets loads of exercise. Kevin has gone out with the boys and I have either been on the phone, playing with Jasper or trying to make a new rota for Sunday School. I'm also trying to organise a Christmas Carol Service for my 60+ group and a nativity play for the sunday school. No time to read or paint today! Still, tomorrow is another day!

sunday

Today has been quite a pleasant day. The weather is lovely - the sun is shining but there is an autumnal nip in the air. I love autumn days like this, especially in the Lake District, though it's rather nice here where we live.
I'm sitting with my feet up with a little spaniel sleeping at my feet. He's been in my bad books recently as he chewed a hole in our brand new carpet - I think it was payback for having been in the kennels. Then this morning he chewed up and swallowed one of my earrings. Add this to 1 ruined duvet, 2 pairs of sandals and various cloths, this pup is proving expensive. All is not bad though. he did very well at his puppy class and has 'graduated' from his second class.He has learned a lot and I have to keep reminding myself that he's only a pup.
I'm quite pleased that I have remembered to write this blog even though I have nothing much to say. Watch this space!!

hello again! ....

I have just been reminded by a friend that I haven't written my blog since April. I'm not surprised as things have been a bit hectic since then. We have had a lot of problems with the house which means we have a new carpet, curtains and chairs. We had a couple of our chairs recovered and we're still waiting for them. In the meantime , we have had to decorate downstairs which means the hall and stairs look as though they need painting too - it just goes on. In all this time Kevin has been recovering from his knee injury and our little pup has been making his presence known. Kev is doing well but needs another operation and the pup has been neutered.
September sees the launch of the Centenary of girlguiding, so there have been lots of planning meetings and celebrations to sort out. Our County had a day in one of Greater manchester's biggest parks where 8000+ girls enjoyed all sorts of activities and shows. It was excellent! The saturday afterwards I had organised an activity day for manchester's 60+ members and we enjoyed archery, aerobics, a photography session, a BBQ and a centenary challenge. It was a beautiful day at our campsite and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
We are having a few days in St Anne's on Sea which is just south of Blackpool. It's more sedate than Blackpool and a favourite with pensioners! As Kevin has just retired, we felt that it was appropriate to come here. We're staying in a lovely small hotel which is very comfortable and where the food is excellent. We've had a day in Blackpool, but that is a really tacky place. Anyway, we've recharged our batteries and ready to go home. jasper has had his first taste of kennels, so we hope he's enjoyed it. He has a 'test' on Saturday to see how much he has learned at his puppy improver classes. He does OK at the class but has his moments at home _ like eating my new EXPENSIVE Mephisto sandals aaaaagh!!!
Well, I shall have to go and get myself beautiful for this evening's meal. From now on it'll be back to me cooking, sadly.