Good grief, how did we get from August to February. Well an update. Dave x6 is now Dave x3 but soon to become Dave x10 when the new hen house arrives next week. It's an all singing all dancing hen house a sort of penthouse with built in run, they wont know where they are. We're also minus a rabbit since she took herself off one day and didn't come back but are plus 3 pigwigs who are at present living in MY SHED. They are noisy and I can hear them squeeling above the torch. Yes I have done some torching lately, despite the cleaning out of pig wigs and chickens and feeding cats and dogs.
I've almost finished my new collection, I need to hurry as I'm supposed to be launching it next week in conjunction with a visit to a lovely friend in the Welsh Valleys, Daffodil is her name. I've got my kiln now I'm saving for a big girls torch so I can make bigger and bigger beads. I even cleared out the shed to day and I've sorted loads of craft stuff out to stick on ebay to help with funds. I've crossed a bridge with the jewellery, its all mine now, no brought in beads and mostly on sterling silver too. All my own work, I'm very proud of that.
Well this is a boring old entry, nothing much to tell really, suprising since its been 6 months since the last one. I'm also 43 now, I'm at the top of the hill and I'm going to have one hell of a slide on the way down, whooping all the way.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Dave X 6
Where was I, oh yes, 2 cats, 4 chickens, 1 dog and 1 rabbit. Make that 5 cats, 6 chickens, 1 dog and 1 rabbit. 5 cats because one of the cats has produced 3 more, OK, yes they're cute, but now we have 6 altogether, well it will be 3, 2 are going to live with my brother, last I heard they were naming one 'The Vicar' I expect it will bring a smile when visitors are asked not to sit on 'the vicar'. So for the time being, 3 balls of fluff are exercising their claws on my feet and ankles and the two new sofas in the living room.
And 6 chickens I hear you saying, what happened to Dave, Trevor, Pablo and Tango, well they became Dave, x6 Dave because I figured it was easier to call Dave in at bed time than Dave, Trevor, Pablo, Tango etc, and etc. So Dave it is. Its taken a long time to get eggs, but eggs we have, in various shades of brown to cream, with the odd smear of mud I hope, it took them so long to get the hang of it that I started to threaten them with pastry overcoats but they're laying now, nice and steady, sometimes Dave even manages to lay one in the nesting box.
During the wait for chickens to lay, I've been whiling away my days working. Yes, you remember, that job I applied for eons ago, well I've started. I've never worked in a more boring job. The most interesting thing about it is trying to invent new ways of looking busy when 1 of the 3 sisters in charge appears and looks down her nose at the thing who dares enter her line of vision. Yes, we are at the far end, almost the 'on the soul of Sisters boot' end of the pecking order. If we had perches in the staff room, ours would be about 3 foot below the surface, if we were allowed in the staff room, well we're allowed in it, just not allowed to sit in it cause we only work for 5 hours not 6 so we don't get a break, its the law you know.
Things can only look up they say, so hopefully by my next post here I'll have been promoted to paediatric consultant for the unit and sister will be on the bottom of my left croc.
And 6 chickens I hear you saying, what happened to Dave, Trevor, Pablo and Tango, well they became Dave, x6 Dave because I figured it was easier to call Dave in at bed time than Dave, Trevor, Pablo, Tango etc, and etc. So Dave it is. Its taken a long time to get eggs, but eggs we have, in various shades of brown to cream, with the odd smear of mud I hope, it took them so long to get the hang of it that I started to threaten them with pastry overcoats but they're laying now, nice and steady, sometimes Dave even manages to lay one in the nesting box.
During the wait for chickens to lay, I've been whiling away my days working. Yes, you remember, that job I applied for eons ago, well I've started. I've never worked in a more boring job. The most interesting thing about it is trying to invent new ways of looking busy when 1 of the 3 sisters in charge appears and looks down her nose at the thing who dares enter her line of vision. Yes, we are at the far end, almost the 'on the soul of Sisters boot' end of the pecking order. If we had perches in the staff room, ours would be about 3 foot below the surface, if we were allowed in the staff room, well we're allowed in it, just not allowed to sit in it cause we only work for 5 hours not 6 so we don't get a break, its the law you know.
Things can only look up they say, so hopefully by my next post here I'll have been promoted to paediatric consultant for the unit and sister will be on the bottom of my left croc.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Dave, Trevor, Pablo and Tango.
Someone slap me, quick. Why am I getting chickens, isn't 1 dog, 2 cats, and 1 rabbit enough to be going on with, what do I need with chickens. Well eggs I suppose, and good manure, and, pets for the children. And more work, and running up the garden in the pouring rain and snow and cold to feed and water and collect eggs and clean out, ok wheres that slap, give it to me now before it's too late.
I've built almost 2 runs this week. I'm trying to do this on the cheap, 'cheap' get it. I know I've got some wood in the garage, someone gave it to me for a bonfire and it was new wood, much to good for a bonfire so I saved it, was going to build a one of those hexaganol things you sit under to take tea. Anyway I found 2 pieces, retrieved the other two piece I'd nailed together to make a clothes prop and an old picnic table the kids had when they were small er. got half way through and decided that the wood was too rotten and wasn't going to last a sparrow landing on it let alone a chicken being chased by a dog.
Off to B&Q for some more and find a bundle of 8 sticks 6 foot long. That'll do, it'll have to do at that price. Have you seen the price of chicken wire, I need £30 worth for this chicken run, when did chicken wire get so expensive, ever since I decided to keep chickens I bet. Anyway, back home and we set about building the run again, I think it will be ok this time, we've run out of screws, so another trip back to B&Q.
I've ordered the chickens, 4 brown ones who I'm assured love children and like company, shame cause Dave, Trevor, Pablo and Tango, (don't ask) will be down the bottom of the garden on their own. They're coming home on Monday. I have till Monday to change me mind, see sense and get lynched by the kids if I change my mind. So Monday it is. Omlette anyone.
I've built almost 2 runs this week. I'm trying to do this on the cheap, 'cheap' get it. I know I've got some wood in the garage, someone gave it to me for a bonfire and it was new wood, much to good for a bonfire so I saved it, was going to build a one of those hexaganol things you sit under to take tea. Anyway I found 2 pieces, retrieved the other two piece I'd nailed together to make a clothes prop and an old picnic table the kids had when they were small er. got half way through and decided that the wood was too rotten and wasn't going to last a sparrow landing on it let alone a chicken being chased by a dog.
Off to B&Q for some more and find a bundle of 8 sticks 6 foot long. That'll do, it'll have to do at that price. Have you seen the price of chicken wire, I need £30 worth for this chicken run, when did chicken wire get so expensive, ever since I decided to keep chickens I bet. Anyway, back home and we set about building the run again, I think it will be ok this time, we've run out of screws, so another trip back to B&Q.
I've ordered the chickens, 4 brown ones who I'm assured love children and like company, shame cause Dave, Trevor, Pablo and Tango, (don't ask) will be down the bottom of the garden on their own. They're coming home on Monday. I have till Monday to change me mind, see sense and get lynched by the kids if I change my mind. So Monday it is. Omlette anyone.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
43 Seconds of Fame
Well thats it, I've done it, does that mean I'm famous, does it mean that I can put as heard on LBC. I hadn't intended it to be an advertising excersise, not really, I just thought people might be interested in what I do in my shed so I told them, on LBC radio yesterday. The subject, 'Can a shed keep your marriage happy', or something like that. Well mine keeps me happy and if I'm happy, well you know the rest.....
So anyway, there I am sitting at my desk, wiring beads onto a charm bracelet when my hand lifts the phone. I know the number, its written on the shed wall, Abbie phoned up once to cry at one of the producers for slamming cat lovers. She didn't get as far as the presenter, I think the girl answering the phone probably thought it was more than her jobs worth. So I ring up and this girl answers, and said she'd ring me back.
She wont ring me back, she never does, I mean she didn't last time when Abbie rang in tears about the cat hater presenter. Its half past three. The kids will be home soon, if she's going to ring she needs to ring now or I'll be speaking to her and the door bell will ring and the dog will start raving, she'll say she can't hear me and I'll get passed over. Open the door, thats it, then they wont have to ring the doorbell and the dog will only bark his hello a little bit. I can be upstairs, shut myself in the bedroom, then it will only be a muffled bark.
I need to go down to the shed, when the kids get in we've got to go to the post office and I need to pack some stuff up to post off. If I go down the shed, I can't answer the phone down there cause the reception isn't good and I'll get cut off. I'll run down there holding the phone then if it rings I can run back and answer it where the reception is good. I do that, grab padded envelopes and run back. Oh gawd, if she rings now I'll not be able to talk to her, she'll think I'm having an asthmatic attack and call me an ambulance and how will I explain it to them. Deep breaths and a glass of water, thats it, OOh got my breath back now. Better not drink too much don't want to be sitting on the loo chatting to her. Can people actually tell you're sitting on the loo when you're on the phone talking to them, must test that out one day. 'Hello, its me, yes me, where do you think I am, yes dear, yes, I'm in the toilet, can you tell'
The phone rings, 'Hello, yes I'll hold, yes I'll turn the radio off, yes thank you' Ages, sitting there, while Bert in South Ham is telling her about his potting shed, he's had it for 47 years, the year after they married, when the first baby came along. Did they have any more? yes they had 14 more. He didn't stay in his potting shed all the time then ha ha. The travel news, then it's me. A short introduction and there I am, I'm on. Jeni Barnett is lovely, she asked lovely questions and made me feel like I was chatting to a friend, she asked me how you make beads, I giggle, did I giggle too much, and then she asked me, whats the name of my business, YES!!! I give her the address as clearly as I can, www.perfectlygorgeous.com and then she launches into raptures of joy as she looks at the site and tells London how lovely it is and what beautiful beads. In fact she thinks its so lovely she's putting it on the LBC website, Fabulous. Did I say thank you, too many times. I can't tell you what I said or what she said exactly, cause I can't exactly remember.
And there it is, the link on the 'Blast I missed it' page on LBC Radio. So does that mean I can put as featured on LBC Radio on the site then. ha ha. I'll send Jeni a piece then you never know I might get another mention. lol.
So anyway, there I am sitting at my desk, wiring beads onto a charm bracelet when my hand lifts the phone. I know the number, its written on the shed wall, Abbie phoned up once to cry at one of the producers for slamming cat lovers. She didn't get as far as the presenter, I think the girl answering the phone probably thought it was more than her jobs worth. So I ring up and this girl answers, and said she'd ring me back.
She wont ring me back, she never does, I mean she didn't last time when Abbie rang in tears about the cat hater presenter. Its half past three. The kids will be home soon, if she's going to ring she needs to ring now or I'll be speaking to her and the door bell will ring and the dog will start raving, she'll say she can't hear me and I'll get passed over. Open the door, thats it, then they wont have to ring the doorbell and the dog will only bark his hello a little bit. I can be upstairs, shut myself in the bedroom, then it will only be a muffled bark.
I need to go down to the shed, when the kids get in we've got to go to the post office and I need to pack some stuff up to post off. If I go down the shed, I can't answer the phone down there cause the reception isn't good and I'll get cut off. I'll run down there holding the phone then if it rings I can run back and answer it where the reception is good. I do that, grab padded envelopes and run back. Oh gawd, if she rings now I'll not be able to talk to her, she'll think I'm having an asthmatic attack and call me an ambulance and how will I explain it to them. Deep breaths and a glass of water, thats it, OOh got my breath back now. Better not drink too much don't want to be sitting on the loo chatting to her. Can people actually tell you're sitting on the loo when you're on the phone talking to them, must test that out one day. 'Hello, its me, yes me, where do you think I am, yes dear, yes, I'm in the toilet, can you tell'
The phone rings, 'Hello, yes I'll hold, yes I'll turn the radio off, yes thank you' Ages, sitting there, while Bert in South Ham is telling her about his potting shed, he's had it for 47 years, the year after they married, when the first baby came along. Did they have any more? yes they had 14 more. He didn't stay in his potting shed all the time then ha ha. The travel news, then it's me. A short introduction and there I am, I'm on. Jeni Barnett is lovely, she asked lovely questions and made me feel like I was chatting to a friend, she asked me how you make beads, I giggle, did I giggle too much, and then she asked me, whats the name of my business, YES!!! I give her the address as clearly as I can, www.perfectlygorgeous.com and then she launches into raptures of joy as she looks at the site and tells London how lovely it is and what beautiful beads. In fact she thinks its so lovely she's putting it on the LBC website, Fabulous. Did I say thank you, too many times. I can't tell you what I said or what she said exactly, cause I can't exactly remember.
And there it is, the link on the 'Blast I missed it' page on LBC Radio. So does that mean I can put as featured on LBC Radio on the site then. ha ha. I'll send Jeni a piece then you never know I might get another mention. lol.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Rabbits with Pastry Overcoats.
Well how bad is this, yes I know its Monday the 9th of June. Where have I been you may ask, the honest truth is, I just don't know. I don't know where the time goes. I do know that the more time that goes by the less I seem to achieve.
We have a new member of the family. I didn't intend adding to our number it sort of happened. Lunch with a friend, bit of glass melting, bit of putting the world to rights and I am driving back down the A217 with a car stuffed with a run a hutch and Fluffy Bunz. This'll suprise the kids, I only got it for the kids, can I manage to get home with enough time to unload it all from the car, screw it together and install the dark chocolate brown lump of fluff before they arrive. Being stuck behind the 154 half way home doens't help matter but as I pulled up outside I have 15 minutes to complete my task. I take Fluffy Bunz into the shade in the pet carrier and then do 4 trips to the car watching each time for any sign of the kids coming down the road. Lock the gate, they can't get in now, I'm only doing this for them. I grab a trusty table knife to use as a screw driver. I used to have a screw driver, a pink handled one, in fact I had a whole pink tool kit, I still have the carry case, with a pink handled craft knife inside, nothing else, everything els had gone to far flung (or chucked) corners of the house or garden or garage. I thought I'd be safe with a pink set, the PS would never want to be seen at work with a pink handled hammer, or a pink screwdriver and tape measure, but they've gone, all but this singular craft knife with the wobbly blade, I expect thats why its still in there.
Anyway, I start to screw this pen together and its only an hour since we took it apart and can I remember what went where, it becomes reminicent of something off of the Generation Game only my dad isn't there helping me. I finally get it half put together, it will do, I can tighten those screws up later. In with the hutch and in with the rabbit. I'm just returning to the car for the roof and a bag of rabbit dinner and the children appear. Can't let them see the rabbit dinner, hide it quick, it'll spoil the suprise. I leave the lid to the hutch in the car and walk to the garden gate and wait for them to arrive. We go into the house and they both rush for water to quench their walking home from school thirst. So how do I get them to go down the garden and come upon the rabbit. They want to watch TV they dont' want to go down the garden, I'm urging them to go play, I've just spent the last 15 minutes looking like a contestant on the Krypton Factor and the man next door is re-assured that I do suffer from some manic condition. In the end I send Joe down for a loaf of bread from the freezer in the garage and he has to walk past, I'm standing by the back door holding my breath waiting for him to find the rabbit. He walks past it, blind to it. Fifteen bloody minutes, I'm standing there looking like a beetroot, sweat pouring off me, blood pressure raised from rushing around and he walks past it. 'What' is his reply to the look on my face.
Abbie found her, Abbie cried with joy and thanks that she'd finally got a rabbit, shame it wasn't a white one but it was a rabbit. The lovely rabbit has settled in well, ignores the dog after his initial scurries into his hutch and safety and seems quite happy. So far the children have fed her every morning, and she's been cleaned out at the weekend. Not sure how long it will last but she's certainly getting plenty of attention right now. I've them if they don't keep it up she'll end up wearing a pastry overcoat.
So whats next....... chickens, Mmmm now theres a thought.
We have a new member of the family. I didn't intend adding to our number it sort of happened. Lunch with a friend, bit of glass melting, bit of putting the world to rights and I am driving back down the A217 with a car stuffed with a run a hutch and Fluffy Bunz. This'll suprise the kids, I only got it for the kids, can I manage to get home with enough time to unload it all from the car, screw it together and install the dark chocolate brown lump of fluff before they arrive. Being stuck behind the 154 half way home doens't help matter but as I pulled up outside I have 15 minutes to complete my task. I take Fluffy Bunz into the shade in the pet carrier and then do 4 trips to the car watching each time for any sign of the kids coming down the road. Lock the gate, they can't get in now, I'm only doing this for them. I grab a trusty table knife to use as a screw driver. I used to have a screw driver, a pink handled one, in fact I had a whole pink tool kit, I still have the carry case, with a pink handled craft knife inside, nothing else, everything els had gone to far flung (or chucked) corners of the house or garden or garage. I thought I'd be safe with a pink set, the PS would never want to be seen at work with a pink handled hammer, or a pink screwdriver and tape measure, but they've gone, all but this singular craft knife with the wobbly blade, I expect thats why its still in there.
Anyway, I start to screw this pen together and its only an hour since we took it apart and can I remember what went where, it becomes reminicent of something off of the Generation Game only my dad isn't there helping me. I finally get it half put together, it will do, I can tighten those screws up later. In with the hutch and in with the rabbit. I'm just returning to the car for the roof and a bag of rabbit dinner and the children appear. Can't let them see the rabbit dinner, hide it quick, it'll spoil the suprise. I leave the lid to the hutch in the car and walk to the garden gate and wait for them to arrive. We go into the house and they both rush for water to quench their walking home from school thirst. So how do I get them to go down the garden and come upon the rabbit. They want to watch TV they dont' want to go down the garden, I'm urging them to go play, I've just spent the last 15 minutes looking like a contestant on the Krypton Factor and the man next door is re-assured that I do suffer from some manic condition. In the end I send Joe down for a loaf of bread from the freezer in the garage and he has to walk past, I'm standing by the back door holding my breath waiting for him to find the rabbit. He walks past it, blind to it. Fifteen bloody minutes, I'm standing there looking like a beetroot, sweat pouring off me, blood pressure raised from rushing around and he walks past it. 'What' is his reply to the look on my face.
Abbie found her, Abbie cried with joy and thanks that she'd finally got a rabbit, shame it wasn't a white one but it was a rabbit. The lovely rabbit has settled in well, ignores the dog after his initial scurries into his hutch and safety and seems quite happy. So far the children have fed her every morning, and she's been cleaned out at the weekend. Not sure how long it will last but she's certainly getting plenty of attention right now. I've them if they don't keep it up she'll end up wearing a pastry overcoat.
So whats next....... chickens, Mmmm now theres a thought.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
I'm sitting down. Sitting down and not working, not eating dinner, not in a meeting, not torching, just sitting down and it's not even 9pm its 2.20pm in the afternoon. What a hectic week. Church meeting on Monday, run kids to drama class on Tuesday for dress rehearsal, come home make dinner for PS, pick kids up from Drama class, drop them home, go and get takeaway chinese, go over to friends house for evening. Wednesday, take Joe to tutor, come home, cooke tea for Abbie, drop Abbie at friends ready to go to Brownies, pick Joe up from Tutor, get takeaway (treat for behaving at tutors) come home, eat, go out pick Abbie up from Brownies. Thursday, Spend the morning in Church making up orange squash for Abbies whole class and the other 2 year 4 classes as they've spent the morning there watching the Easter Experience. Come home do mad dash around house, cleaning, polishing, hoovering, washing, making up spare bed. Parents arrive. Kids home from school, sling a quick chicken casserole in the over and prep some veg, burn the only potato's in the house, pretty positive I can't get away with instant mash on this occasion. Cut burnt bits off potatoes and mash with far too much butter and milk to hide the hint of burnt food. Eat dinner, clear away dinner, take parents and children to church hall for production of Aladdin which they are both staring in. Sit and watch the play, clap profusely at clever offspring. Parents are driving home tonight, not staying in the freshly made bed I made up earlier. Wave them off, get in the car and dash into supermarket before it closes at 10pm. Pick up milk and bread, get cadgolled into buying Mars bars and extra thick milk shake, get home get over the excitememt of the play and kids finally got bed on the promise that they needn't got to school till 10.30am tomorow. Friday, 10.30 drop Joe at school, Abbie at the church up the road where year 4 are practicing their Easter play to be performed on Monday. Dash back to school and YES I'm forth in the queue for the school assembly, a front row seat for a change.
There's Sallys Mum, tall, slim, elegant, dressed in the latest whatever with a fully made up face, Joshua's Mum Mrs Eco friendly, she's always late because she always has to make a detour to the recyling bins with yesterdays organic wine bottle and the gaurdian. Combat trousers and flowery jumper, hair in plaits and yoga monthly tucked under her arm. Sarahs Mum, Mrs Beeton, with her 1980's dress sense and a casserole in the oven. I swear she has a pinnie on under that mack. The kids are never without a vest and a cardigan and in the winter, mittens on elastic. And Chavvy Shaz. Chelseas Mum tracky bottoms, skinny tee shirt with bare midrift, and a smattering of tattoos and belly rings and the most enourmous bangle sized earrings any pirate would be proud to sport. Hair scraped back giving her the oriental look and a ring on each finger. Shes a nice girl, sort of the earth. Then theres me. Yesterdays hair twisted up into a knot and clipped, yesterdays tee shirt with yesterdays coffee stain. Jeans with added green paint, purple crocks and a spot on my chin. Why do I always only remember its class assembly when I'm dropping them off, why do I look like I'm married to the rag and bone man. Back home to work and make up some more jewellery as the beads are back from being annealed.
Friday night and another performance of Aladdin, I'm helping out back stage tonight. PS has gone to give blood. If I hadn't been needle phobic I could have quite happily have joined him for a lie down for an hour with a cuppa and a biscuit.
So here I am today, Saturday, PS is in the garage fixing something with valves the kids are in the garden playing with kids up the road and I am sitting down, talking to you. I would have been in the shed making beads but the gas ran out this morning and evidently the gas man doesn't work on Saturdays. One more performance tonight of Aladdin then he can get back into his lamp and we can all relax for a bit, until Monday when it's the Easter play lol.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Foxes in Soxes
'You'll never believe this, someones nicked one of my boots out of the porch' is the clean version of PS's good morning darling how are you today. 'Uhhh' is my reply as I struggle out of the arms of Morpheus and back into the bedroom. He's standing there waving a singular boot in the air. Fury leaping from him as he announces that he can't go to work with one boot, (they're steel toe capped and a requisite of the job) he'll lose a days pay and will have to buy a new pair of boots, to boot, actually he didn't put the to boot on the end, I just did.
So there we are, PS, although the boot has been found in next doors front garden has gone back to bed since the boot was doing a good impression of wet sheep so unwearable and said boot is now standing on the radiator to dry. I might as well get up, now I'm wide awake. Breakfast eaten, uniforms ironed and on and I'm yelling at the kids to get their coats and shoes on as I finish the packed lunches. So where are their shoes, Joe has one, Abbie has one, Abbie has one plimpsol, Joe has one trainer, no pink suede boots, but there is a pair of beach sandals of Joes. None of mine are missing Huh! It appears that the thief has stolen one of nearly every shoe and both Abbies pink suede boots. None of mine, I was too lazy to put mine in the porch, mine were in the living room, safe. Foxes, they're the thieves. PS is raving about the porch door being left open and why did't anyone shut it. Well I'm not telling him, but I wasn't last in last night.
Its a quarter to 9 and I'm sitting in traffic on my way to our local Asda to buy shoes so the children can go to school. I'm not buy expensive ones, they'll have to have what I can get. Abbie finds a pair almost instantly and Joe takes half an hour walking up and down, deciding between styles, this one pinches, that one looks weird. £35 later I drop them both at school fully clothed and shod.
That was yesterday and today the site where PS is working there is an undercurrent wafting around about foxes hopping around our village in one steel toe capped boot. He is not amused.
Oh and when I got back from the shoe shopping trip there was a telephone message. I got the job (see previous post) Well would you believe it!!!
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