WOYWW #645

 WOYWW?  What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday of course!  The day I go travelling round as many desks as I can to see what other folks have been up to and, of course, my Thanks go to Julia at Stamping Ground for enabling so many desks and lifestyles to be shared each week.  Thank you.

Some days I get up with a purpose, some days I don't . . . . get up with a purpose I mean!!

Today my purpose is Wednesday!

WOYWWednesday . . . .I remembered . . .  only cos MaryAnn and Spyder posted so early . . . .

My desk

I am in the midst of trying to make my swap cards for the month.  I have sorted out what I am going to do but since then I have watched a couple of videos . . . . . so it's all change!

I was going to make the tartan card with the left overs from my ATCs For All swap but then I decided that it wasn't really 'Shades of Lilac & Mauve' so started on the second one.  The pens are laid out, not cos I'm bragging, but because I never know which one, if any, will work on the day.  I have some images to cut out but then decided to go with the diecut and stamp.

I shall spend this afternoon visiting the desks . . . . . just letting you know so that if you're out you can leave the key at the neighbours!1  lol

Stupid sizing of text courtesy of blogger . . . .

Seventh day of October

 I had hoped to join in with Blogtober in the hope that it would get me back to daily blogging . . . . . that never happened!!

I seem to be so busy and then forget to blog, only remembering when I'm in bed!!

Today I woke from a rather heavy couple of hours sleep, really groggy and not knowing what day it was.  I went downstairs to make myself a coffee and looked out of the kitchen window. . . . . 

The bird feeders were empty again and Cyril was bouncing his way from one to the other looking to see what he could find.  It was sunny and looked warmish which, after all the rain, was quite uplifting.

I filled the feeders and, looking around, thought I might have a tidy up while I was there.  If you're a gardener you know what those words mean!!

DDC and I, more her than me, had removed most of the wood from round the chicken ranch and propped it up against the run.  I decided to put all the wood inside, out of the way and in the dry.  

Once that was all inside and out the way it meant that the birds would be able to use the bird bath in safety . . . . I have seen as many as ten sparrows at a time, washing, drinking and chatting.

I brought my beautiful peacock light over to the 'windmill' garden as it can't be seen in the blue garden, which is overgrown now. I can't wait to get started on clearing it all out as it has a lot of nettles growing there,  I am not sure when the butterflies pupate so am leaving it a bit longer. 

Once that was done, I decided to put my new lights around the pond, for some reason my old ones are not lighting anymore . . . . .had them years so can't complain.

I wrapped a cane with the new lights and hung them up, fastening the ends so the wind doesn't blow them down.

Then I discovered why the old lights have stopped working!!

Broken cable!  

Time to take the old stuff down.

Working down that end of the garden drew my attention to the plant theatre.

I have a number of houseplants which have been 'on holiday' out there and must come in before the frosts of winter arrive.

I decided to put them into the greenhouse for later and also to dry out a bit.  I like to repot the houseplants and wash the pots before bringing them back in for the winter.

So now I have the greenhouse full but with all the sorting out to be done, it should keep me gardening throughout the winter!!!

FYI

All this text is large, all of it the same!  Blog on Blogger!!

12 Months

 My first 12 months without Peter.  One of my hardest years, little things still catch me out and I am in tears.  So sad I know but the feeling of grief washes over me and  . . . . . .. 

I did not want to be at home for this 'anniversary' so I arranged to spend the day with my Darling Daughters.

It was very overcast when I started out and by the time I met up with DDC it was raining!  It continued raining all the rest of the day . . . . .

DDC and I went to Kings Heath, known as the Village because around the outskirts of Birmingham the small village centres still remain.  The name of the village is dependant where you live in Birmingham, it's still known locally as 'the village'.  I knew that the land outside the main church had been landscaped and all sorts of events were held there.

We decided to walk down one side of the road and then back up the other side to, what appeared to be, a Farmers Market outside the Church.  We shopped and chatted and walked round the Market, we could see a queue for one stall when on the other side of the road . . . . . Samosas!!  Such a  popular food!

As we waited to DDN, I realised the time and started to get weepy, then an ambulance went by and I lost it . . . . . 

DDC was in a shop and was causing havoc cos she asked for something being displayed in the window.  This eventually took my mind off things as I watched the capers in the shop and I managed to get control again.

DDN took us out to a Miller & Carver restaurant in the countryside, we had decided to go to a M&C because DDC and myself had never been.  Peter and I always intended to go . . . . . 

We went for the full blown meal!

We all had starters, two had Prawn cocktail and one had Calamari.  Delish!

This was followed by steak, of course, with different sauces and accompaniments.

We struggled with the amount, doesn't look much but, boy!, was it filling

We took our time to order dessert and we each had something different.  Mine was to die for!!!

Passion Fruit Eton Mess

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Banoffee Pie

      

A fair few hours later we left and came home . . . . . it was still raining. . . . . 

I had a very enjoyable day, one which will be a wonderful memory as I close the door to my first year on my own.

I have come a long way in the last twelve months . . . . I have kept busy, I have changed the garden and my rooms around and slowly I am building a new life and new memories.

I am so thankful for my family and friends who hear me out, let me cry and never criticise.  It means a lot to know you're there.

WOYWW #643

I am sure you will be pleased to know that I am back in fighting condition . . . . .for my age!

I have been sorting out my stamps ready to create my October Swaps.  I have no idea when I will get them done as I am having a pretty busy time since this photo was taken . . . . . just the desk remains the same!  lol

I like to sort through my stamp file, choose my stamps then collect them out of the storage boxes.  Each page in my folder has a copy of the stamp with maker and box number, makes choosing my stamps so much easier for me.  Quite a relaxing way of sorting stamps.  I have bought Tattered Lace Magazine this month because I have several swaps on an Autumn Theme and, as you can probably see, there is a free die, embossing folder and papers which are all on an Autumn Theme . . . . . 

Last weekend the chickens went to their new home, it is now so quiet round here, I can go in and out of my house without being begged for food!  lol

DDN and Dx came to help box them up and then add them and all the other chicken extras into the car.

Don't let the facial expression fool you . . . . once we arrived and discovered a large play area . . . 

it was smiles all the way!

We took them over to Lapworth to an animal rescue place which I have been supporting for a couple of years now with donations.

Peter used to take DDC round there when she was young, they had a tiger called Nina and monkeys then but now it looks as though they only rescue animals.

I mentioned Nina to the owner and he said yes, definitely a tiger.  I managed to take a photo of his photo . . . so beautiful . . . .

The chooks soon made friends and were 'shown' around, the large white cockerel is known as the Boss round here.  

Hope that Snowflake won't be offended!

One of the buildings contained bric a brac, donations I suppose, so I had a quick look round . . . . one never knows what one with find in these places!

I found these . . . . 

. . . . . . Guess I'm making Christmas Tree cakes soon!!!

The smaller cake tins create 3D cakes so the boys will have a great time decorating those!!

I will post about the rest of the changes round here in separate posts, today is really all about the desk!!.

WOYWW #642

WOYWW?  What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday of course!  The day I go travelling round as many desks as I can to see what other folks have been up to and, of course, my Thanks go to Julia at Stamping Ground for enabling so many desks and lifestyles to be shared each week.  Thank you.

Not much going on really . . . . some received cards that I have yet to thank folks for, some envelopes ready for my next batch of paperwork, and all that entails.

I have a bad back.

I can't move without being in pain.

I have been very blessed by God and have always been, mostly, fit and healthy.  THIS pain is something that I am finding difficult to deal with  . . . . . so I withdraw . . . . When I find my own level is the time I will let people know that I have been a 'bit off colour'.  I always say that I don't have time to be ill, I am at the wrong end of the timeline . . . . Well, I think that is going to have to change . . . . 

Thankfully, I have two darling daughters who help in every way they can.  

DDC came and pruned my roses, cleared the frontage and cleared up behind her!  Makes me feel so happy to look out of the window at my tidy frontage and remember how lovely it was, me sitting on a chair, her doing the garden and both of us chatting . . . . in the sunshine . . . . smashing.

DDN does my shopping and this weekend will be taking the chickens to their new home . . . . The decision has been made so at least some good has come out of the pain . . .

I will keep you all updated.

Have a good week

WOYWW #640

  WOYWW?  What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday of course!  The day I go travelling round as many desks as I can to see what other folks have been up to and, of course, my Thanks go to Julia at Stamping Ground for enabling so many desks and lifestyles to be shared each week.  Thank you.

Good morning, Good morning!!!  The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the pigeons are bathing in the puddle on my flat roof just outside my window . . . . 

It is currently 15C but is forecast to be another scorcher in the late 20Cs, I am not complaining as it is also forecast to rain tomorrow!!

The desk:

Not much going on do I hear you say?

Oh! yes there is!  I am joining in with some swaps at ATCs For All and the makings of number one is there . . . . The tartan bits of paper . . . . 

The swap is called 'make me happy', or MMH.  You ask for a coin with the words - Who's going to make me happy? and then add a suggestion of three themes.  The reply reads - I'll make you happy with (one of the themes) but who's going to make me happy?

And so it goes on, it's been running since 2011 and members can hop in as and when they like . . . . I've joined in as I have just found some tartan paper!  The reply is going to make me happy with a tree coin . . . .

Now admit it . . . . you didn't know such exciting things went on in life!

DDC came round earlier on in the week with FX and R, removed my broken fridge (the Council will charge me £33 to take it away - is that good?) and cleared my patio.  The patio looks soooo good, I have cleared a few more weeds and it will soon be useable again . . . . Tell you all the exciting things are happening round here!

Have yourselves a good week, maybe something exciting will happen . . . .

WOYWW #639

On a dull September morning I greet you with a photo of my desk....

Not much happening as I have cleared the desk, apart from the happy mail, ready to ensure I visit as many deskers as I can before actually starting work . . . . .

My happy mail consists of a card, which has been redirected, and an ATCoin swap from Mary Ann.  I am so happy . . . . I shall keep this with my other MaryAnn artworks.

 I love the idea of having a SHAPED Coin swap.  I may even have to go to ATCsForAll and host a swap . . . .

Short but sweet this week as I need to 'get on', lots to do as once again I have had a few techie problems, they have taken a couple of my days to sort and are not completed yet.

Ho Hum, Ho Hum  . . . 

Have a good week

BTW 

 WOYWW - All the deets on how to link up etc. and, more importantly, why you should, can be found at the top of the page.  Thank you Julia for hosting another week of fun and mayhem.