Bah Humbug...

I haven't really taken much notice of the Christmas displays and 

 decorations in the shops until today.  I met with my good friend and  fellow southerner ( see Stroppy  southern strumpets),  and 'chief cheerer upper' Lynn, for an early lunch, some good chat, much supportive, 'Oh I know!'s  and 'No! Really!'s  from both of us. After a glass of house red, when we stumbled, quite literally in my case, across two aisle fulls (eye fulls) of glitz, glitter and  much festive ho ho ho  arrays of  festooned garlands, cards, wrap and anything and everything you don't want or need, to make your day special or not.

Indeed I bought some suitable stocking fillers, a couple of  'commercial' Advent calenders,  I just cannot find any 'real' ones anymore, and well hey they do have chocolate in them after all, and other gifts to add to the now overflowing area at the top of  our wardrobe. ( Yes I am almost done!)

We spent  a wonderfully relaxing afternoon actually, finishing it off with the

 'must do' trip around TK Maxx, followed by a warm the cockles latte. We parted and I walked home warmed  more by the friendship and sisterhood, from which I get to feel like me for a unpressurised, stress free couple of hours. 

The reason I call this post Bah humbug is, by the time I got my coat off and settled in on the couch to catch up with the family, I became acutely aware of an atmosphere brewing.  I ignored the warning of the snarling tummy and ploughed on, gave the kids the warm seasonal gloves l'd found them and told them I had bought their advents. The excitement was telling in their voices and as they began to chat, speculate and talk generally about the christmas period, as only teenagers can ... my daughter gets almost sick with excitement, my son too but less so he is more contained. 

A whiff of humbug pervaded the room and I don't mean the classic mint  flavour. 

Oh dear I thought no, don't start please.

 But Mr Grumpy began his furtive murmurings and said he could well do without it, we had done it to death and we should get far away or even better cancel it. I protested - unsurprisingly for those who know me, I never know when to shut up - All I want is to be in our home, with the family and dog and have a quiet relaxing day. But apparently I don't do relaxing on the day and everyone walks around on eggshells. I can smell the egg rot! I do Christmas well, Mr Grumpy doesn't. I wondered if this was for effect, as this comes every year just like Christmas, it happens. The kids love it and although a few weeks ago they said they would have a curry for Christmas day in deference to Mr G wanting a change, I thought to postpone the turkey to Boxing day, after all I've had my way for over 30 years, now they tell me as we get nearer they want the traditional day and so said all of us! (well three of us).

 Even though the kids are now 16 and 14 they ARE still kids.

Yes I agree its all commercial twaddle out there and uber overkill with parents apparently going seriously into hock for  zillions of gifts and ££ presents, that IS the wrong message. 

 We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in this country, though I have experienced it when I lived in the states and it is the spirit, the essence of  that time which I try and emulate. I have created traditions for our festive period. We read story books, light candles, share our thanks in our togetherness.

Apparently I have to drag My G into the Christmas period scratching and clawing all the way. I did suggest he went and stayed with his mother who does Garbo every year. Oh dear watch this space, I don't have a good feeling about this...

A contender for post of the day at Authorblog, thanks again for the mention David!

MY PHOTOSTORY & SKY WATCH Friday - AWAYDAY

For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

Today's brooding sky hovered above us down the motorway...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

A regular away day I thought,

 as three colleagues and I set off from 

Carlisle to Preston in our hire car.

We had been asked to attend a training day,

'Getting to know you- Understanding our visitors and developing audiences'

this was being held at the Lancashire  Conservation Centre, Preston.

The course was  seemingly pitched at marketing managers & assistants and I thought it  

would not be of practical use to me  in my role at  front of house.

 However,  I was interested and it may offer me  some

 tips that may benefit my online business. 

The weather was overcast and brooding,

the traffic appeared fine.

We missed junction 31  ( Stewart is emphatic  its no longer there) and so we arrived just as they were  starting.

The Centre is in an inspiring and spectacular Grade II listed Victorian Church, (St. Mary's, 1836-1996)  which to our surprise and delight held some wonderful original features.  Which were sympathetically preserved within the renovation and strict controlled environments of

 the  now Conservation Centre.

Upon arrival in the car park I noticed two tree photo opportunities and I like how they turned out!

The Centre with the imposing Mill chimney over the road

 (which we were told later is the busiest road in the red light area!)

This is the room we were in for the day with a partial view of some old windows... 

an unknown hint of things to come!

We broke for lunch and adjourned to the top floor and found a sculptural relief of The Three Graces by Bertel Thorvaldson  propped up in the luncheon room.

 As well as several stained glass windows on view behind protective glass.

The Three Graces by Bertel Thorvaldson 

 (very fuzzy sorry)

some original features

We were taken on a tour of the centre. For me this was an unreserved pleasure. I saw textiles, costume, paintings, sculptures and wild animals being preserved and restored. It was as marvellous as it was an unexpected addition to the day.

The old window in the new kitchen

The old window in the new ladies loos

The early Victorian Church, soars Gothic like in the fading light as we left.  Sorry about the angles ... I only had the phone camera with me again, is that David tutting?

Verity with  a large object in the garden, Verity is on the right! 

Does anyone know what it is? We don't! A stove perhaps?

Photostory friday Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

Congratulations

Congratulations America, you are truly the BRAVE and the FREE!! I'm so impressed with how the night went, my kids were awake watching all night online streaming ... McCain made a proud & strong speech, though I was surprised that some booed and heckled when he congratulated Obama. Seeing Jessie Jackson in tears pushed me over... A truly historical day has dawned.....Change, a breath of fresh air and a new beginning, I'm so excited for you all!

ABC Wednesday P is for ...

http://wednesdayabc.blogspot.com/

P is for ...... 

Pergola

After consulting my tome The New English Dictionary again, 

it describes the word pergola as a garden archway, 

as well as other shaped garden frameworks 

which enable the trailing of plants or climbers! 

Origin is 17th century from Italian/Latin pergula 'projecting roof'

 I was  inspired to post some before and after images 

of the  pergolas in the garden of our home

A bare pergola against house's back wall in early December '07

2nd bare pergola by outdoor dining/bbq area

and to Wisteria bloom in early summer '08 for only a few short weeks

they are actually more pinky in tone that lilac but you get the idea

and they were the very first real flush of colour, 

as in a new home and garden everything that blooms and blossoms is a lovely surprise!

http://wednesdayabc.blogspot.com/

Tag Seven - just a number?

In keeping with my belief that things have  away of swinging your way at opportune times, this arrived from Dear Suburbia, who has awarded me this lovely 'The One Sweet Blog' award and it comes with a tag for a meme - a '7's meme. I have had a bad head since 2am Saturday morning apart from a few hours respite yesterday afternoon in the garden whilst pruning the naked bushes, I haven't spent any productive time this weekend. So showered, relaxed and for the moment free from pain, I will try this meme. 

So here we go:

7 Things I plan to do before I die:

Be happy

Live in the moment more

See my kids happy & healthy

Travel more

Open my own Vintage clothing store or book shop ( I know its a non starter by I am a dreamer!)

Live a while in France/Italy

Go back to Art College

7 Things I do now:

Blog/Internet too much

Moan too much

All round work too much 

Worry too much

Sigh too much

Waste too much time

Am not reflective enough and so not grateful enough (although innately I am )

7 Things I can't do:

Contentment

Be patient

Do as I'm told

Cook, write, paint like my Mum

Stop being afraid

Stop eating chocolate

Keep the house/kids/husband/dog/rabbit/garden/car/work colleagues in working order/tidy/well mannered/and just say yes to me once in a while!

7 Things that attract me in the opposite sex: 

Great sense of humour, sounds trite but without it, well sorry!!

Great smile

Intellect

Open mind and big heart

Great with kids, pets, parents

Good flexible appetite

Good fitting jeans (you know what I mean!)

7 Things I say most often (to the children, so most are rhetorical!)

Aren't you going to wear a coat/scarf/gloves/longer skirt/something to cover your bum/tummy/boobs/neck/face?

Have you enough money? (well DUH stupid!)

What time will you be home by? (and so I add on 45 minutes before I phone them) 

Have you had enough/something to eat/drink?

I don't care, she/he isn't my son/daughter!

I'm fifty, I'm allowed!

May I have the remote/my mascara/varnish remover/ tweezers/hairbrush/dryer/straighteners/tights/bathroom/ my life back now!(and that's just my son!)

7 Celebrities that I admire:

Well, if you don't mind I will just consider 'celebrity' means people I admire, the term 'celebrity' is now too generic and diluted to 'mean' anyone worthy. Sorry I'm ranting!

Brian Sewell, art critic - so funny! And often right, when given to explain!

Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer - kooky, glamorous, individual

Tracey Emin, Contemporary artist - misunderstood, intelligent, funny, creative, survivor

Alice Sebold, writer - survivor, inspirational, read her books & autobiography and you'll understand why.(lucky, Lovely Bones, Almost Moon)

James Frey, writer - recovering alcoholic, addict, survivor, inspirational, read his memoirs and you'll understand why, ignore the hype, the accusations it goes with the story.

Amy Winehouse, singer, song writer - I LOVE her voice & her music & lyrics, they move me. I hope the writing isn't on the wall.

Nelson Mandela - need I say more!

7 Favourite foods: (in any order)

Raspberry Pavlova/ Eton Mess

Steak au Poivre (medium rare)

Chicke Tikka Masala

Steamed Salmon flllet

Chocolate (will eat any but LOVE Galaxy)

Traditional Christmas Dinner

Anything my mum cooks 4 me!

7 Bloggers who l'd like to do this but nobody really needs to do this, but I'd like to pass the award to you anyway and so would be interested in the answers from:

BS5 'cos he has good sense of humour and may not mind being a token Domestic Goddess for a day!

Moannie, if she fancies and Family Affairs and Hadriana if she has finished with her accounts yet!

Working mum on the verge though now its the end of half term she won't have a moment to herself again, Suldog and Sass - One strangely lush mother

ABC Wednesday O is for ..

an O-rdinary day

http://wednesdayabc.blogspot.com/

I am not working today and the kids are with their father

who is working in Manchester for a few days

and its half term, so it is just Pippa and I.

After our ordinary breakfast Pippa

and I went for our ordinary walk.

So I am thinking there won't be much to photograph as I'm home all day,

but for a trim and blow and the hair salon later in the day.

Our usual route is the pathway or road if too muddy by the river Eden.

Today I followed the road by our home and then

checked out the path for the evening walk, if either of us are up for it.

Pippa is elderly now, though her mind and heart are willing sometimes she just sleeps on through!

Last week there was much rain and wind and these neighbouring trees seemingly took the brunt.

One of the mansion houses along the road, our house was built on its back yard!!

All the land here was/is freehold of landlords Duke of Marlbourough, 

Devonshire & Cornwall hence all the Avenue names.

Just an ordinary day.

http://wednesdayabc.blogspot.com/

I've got to write it down!

Ok, I confess I am an obsessive listmaker! My family physically and mentally flinch when they see me with a pen and paper in hand. 'OMG Mum's gonna make a list' one of them shouts as if by warning, and they all fall about laughing. I sometimes join in, but mostly I'm on a mission to write down the things on my mind, lest I forget so I'm a tad furtive getting it down. Because if I don't write it down actually, its a cert I will forget completely and it will be utterly gone from my mind!

This list making phenomena started when I was at school. I went to a Catholic convent school and, ok ! ok! get all the laughing, the banter and the gym slip jokes out of the way now... ! All but two of our teachers were nuns, most were Irish and all were catholic. Not of the worldly wise educator and nurture persuasion either and in a high school of only girls so a rather dull, mind numbing experience for a late 60's early 70's teeanager with boys on her mind. David Cassidy, David Soul, Johnny Hallyday, Slade, Wizard....you get my drift. You can imagine much of it I'm sure, strict and -we all thought - middle aged/ancient nuns.They were at our mercy in the Micky take stakes, but it was they who controlled our lives from the moment we walked in the door clad in our black velveteen hats, our navy Burberrys' and changed into our indoor, ribbed corduroy, spongy crepe soled lace up shoes.

The school didn't have a whiff of the nastiness, the unkind, cruel vindictive nuns depicted in some of Moannies blog posts, be assured if she had felt they were similar in any shape or form she would have taken me away, I hope.

I digress, a bad habit, more difficult than ciggies or nail biting to quit.

We would line up after friday lunchtime, outside the girls loos, where the stationary cupboard was situated for new rough books and other fine stationary. Our old books had to be presented for inspection and Sister Assumpta had to be convinced, that the previous rough book hadn't been wasted. No wasted blank spaces, only minor doodling. Doodling space

was usually on the front and back covers, inside and out and usually depicted drawing of David Essex, Slade and F.A. B. song lyrics. So the covers would be covered with brown paper and sticky backed plastic from Woolies on the top, to hide the graffitti, so we could remove them after Sr. Assumpta had approved them or not. Sticky backed plastic was definitely not cool or F.A. B. in 1972!

Lorraine, my best pal at school ( we are still in touch today) used to collect a hoard of books, so we could use them for lists and for the stories we would write for each other about each other, yeah and those had a bad ending, in as much Moannie found one, so that stopped pretty darn fast, she did not appreciate our fertile and still innocent imaginations.

But the lists were ok and they didn't and haven't as yet ever gotten me into any trouble. Just made me the butt of jokes around here. What would l make lists for or about? Well I guess if you have to ask then you have never felt the need! The lists in those early days were about what we would wear to the school disco. From colour of nail varnish, Outdoor girls Iced Magenta, to the colour and size of our tights or pop sox, American tan size Large. Even then I wore large tights, as I was 5'8" at 13 yrs old, so needed the width for the length if you get my drift. If you don't you must be a bloke and I won't explain, because I could find no way of using tanks or guns or machinery in my explanation, so you have permission to mentally switch off now if l'm boring you!

Other lists were to help with the planning of the school trips, not that we were involved in the arranging of these trips, but the contents of our lunch boxes and what these should/could contain, amount of pocket money, stationary, OMG always stationary, FAB pens, writing paper, to make more notes...

As I grew older, left home, worked, I would make shopping lists, lists of what to take in bag, on holiday the obvious ones too... moving bedsit then flat then house. When we married that required several notebooks, in various shades of pink and purple.

When I am at work these days, I daily remake the days list, shopping, kids requirements, bills to pay, what I MUST do after work. If I'm bored and there are no visitors, I sit and compose lists of blogs l may write ideas for them, or images I should look for, the list goes on and on......AWWWWWW !!!!!

Bloody hell reading this back isn't just obsessive, methinks it smacks of, well right in the forehead of OCD!! I'm writing a post, which in itself has a list of the types of list I make. I can't escape it and can't blame it on my age or hormones cos it's always been a funny habit! You laugh but what is your funny habit!?

So its getting late now so I should post this and get sorted for the morning and what do I need to do tomorrow, where is my pad?

A contender for post of the day at Authorblog, thanks again for the mention David!