Everything is tickety boo !

That dates me for sure! Next, I'll be reminiscing about the Follies at the end of the Pier . Never mind ! All is well. I've got my e-book back and it works a treat. Have made a start on the 16,000 books and built up a little library -downloaded all Oscar Wilde's plays and the libretti of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas so that I can have a singalong as I listen-- just need some time to get going. The VCR/DVD is mastered and behaving well, but really, compared to what is happening in the big wide world at the moment these are very minor hiccups . What does it matter if I cannot record 'Eggheads ' when lots of Cumbrians are flooded out of house and home and further afield many live in constant fear of injury or death. ? My problems are miniscule by comparison.

It's been a pleasant week with the usual activities, although I have left the body conditioning class -- not because of being in tiptop condition but because the routines were a bit complicated and demanding (you should rise to them you wimp) . Perhaps I'll resume after Christmas, unless my body has completely gone to rack and ruin by then . The other classes tend to be lively and great fun.

Am getting a little bogged down with all the current Craft projects. Haven't finished the socks yet, the tapestry is lying there neglected, am trying to make a knee rug for a poor old lady in the Balkans , am wanting to make a glittery curly whirly to wear at Christmas and I have the wool to make a hooded jacket for a friend ! Unfortunately I may have to leave the housework this week ,send out for chips and get stuck in !

Happy week !

More Gr...Gr...

Saga 1

Haven't been blogging as at the moment I have to painstakingly type e-v-e-r-y- l-e-t-t-e-r. It's a long,sad tale. All the fault of the wretched ebook reader.Wish I had stuck to the good old fashioned paper things or even papyrus would have been better. I took the wretch and the PC to the local computer shop and a week later they are still wrestling with it- all five engineers. I suggested that I collect everything and give it up as a bad job-but-no--they all regard it as a challenge and wish to rise to it . The point is I am without my trusty,faithful,almost obedient 'Dragon Naturally Speaking 'friend. I have a similar voice activated typist for the Mac that someone obtained for me on their travels to the Far East-only when I need to type in a correction because it has misheard it goes ' tfel ot thgir morf ....

Saga 2

(Don't know if anyone is really interested in the rivetting minutiae of life chez Blundell but here goes )

The new Video/DVD Recorder was supposed to arrive on Tuesday but we had a phone call to say that it had been delivered to the shop but was damaged in transit -they would come with another on Thursday. O.K. When no one had appeared by 4.30 R. phoned.We had been overlooked -engineer now on the way He duly arrived, installed everything , gave a quick demo saying, "It's just a case of this ,this and this-it's very easy ! "I think he was on his way home and ready for his tea. I said,"If it's all in the manual we'll manage " Off he went

I trawled through the 90 pages and managed to set up a timed recording and left it overnight to see what happened . Did it work ? No ! On investigation 'someone' had switched off its power source ! Next I spent two frustrating evenings trying 'this,this and this' No Joy . Eventually a notice appeared to say ,"Unable to record on this disc "( why didn't it say that at the start of evening one ?) Put in a new disc and Hey Presto ! All is fine and dandy.It has an Electronic Programme Guide which really is easy-peasy. and I've spent ages setting up and deleting programmes just for the heck of it

Saga 3

The Central Heating is great. It's a new system with a combi-boiler and we hadn't got used to its idiosyncrasies one of which is a quick blast in the early hours of the morning. We can live with that

As Pearl said in her great wisdom -technology is a wonderful teacher of patience- which is always an asset !

Now Christmas looms The grown ups have decided to exchange small token presents so there wont be much shopping The children will choose their own so at least they will like what they get ! I've made the puds and we've a few dinner dates on the calendar .Let it all happen !

My present project. Socks inspired by Eva and Jane. Fascinating !

A Happy week to All !

Gr...gr....gr

Having recovered well from Apple Fever I have recently succumbed to an outbreak of ebook book mania. After much frustration the eagerly awaited object arrived. It wasn't the delay that was irksome, anything can go astray,it was just the way in which it was handled -- the unanswered e-mails,still ignored letter and unfulfilled promises of return phone calls . Never mind IT eventually arrived and then the fun began.I had it up and running on both PC and Mac in no time at all. Wonderful ! The success was quite heady until it all went pear shaped. There were a hundred pre loaded books and I went through them. Don't want to read Frankenstein -- delete -nor War and Peace ( might not live long enough to know the ending )-- delete, also had enough Shakespeare -- delete-and so it went on, until I deleted something I shouldn't have done and was left with a shelf full of new books and as much as I tried no way could I transfer them to the ebookreader . I think I have heard a saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it " Wish I had taken notice . I kept digging a deeper and deeper hole .The support line offering ' friendly advice' responded with silence. I went to see Mr. Plug and Play at the local computer shop,and he didn't know anything about ebooks and didn't seem interested in learning either.At the moment IT is cast aside and looks at me with silent reproach. Don't know what to try next

Gr...gr...gr...2

Due to digitalisation BBC2 has disappeared from the TV. Again I spent ages tuning in, reinstalling, unplugging, replugging trying this, that and the other all to no avail. Went to the TV shop and it was full of angry and frustrated people with the same problem. It looks as though we'll need some new equipment.

Gr ...gr....gr.... 3

Just settled down resignedly when R. said , "Er-the central heating hasn't come on. I've had enough of technology today" Couldn't help but agree with him, and thought of the days when life was much simpler with an old-fashioned paper reading book, a wireless with a choice of Home Service or Light Programme and if you were cold you threw another shovelful of nutty slack on the fire.What price progress !

We had a trip to the Garden Centre on Thursday and Christmas is now in full swing there even down to the Carols. I thought I had seen it all with Father Christmas outfits for dogs, but they had Advent Calendars for cats on sale.

A happy weekend to all!

pot pourri

Been busy sorting out the social calendar. Suddenly it seems to be my turn to be hostess to everyone so have issued invitations left right and centre and hope they don't all want to come at the same time.
Christmas is looming and the shops are now full of goodies. Even the dogs are catered for this year -- we saw some little Father Christmas coats and hats for pooches along with the usual Christmas stockings full of doggy treats.
I think I am going to bow out of 'Create Tuesday ' I was hoping that I was going to be hailed as another Grandma Moses but I don't think it's going to happen. Will just have to accept the lack of artistic talent, gracefully retire and stick to baking. My efforts this week

or after today perhaps not !

I am disappointed to report that I haven't received my e-book reader yet. I ordered it from 'Borders ' three weeks ago and in spite ot two phone calls ( with promises of return calls not honoured ) one e-mail of one letter to Head Office no joy.They took my money straight away but have not come up with the goods.This is my first dealing and probably the last with this company.I hope they get a move on soon as I ordered and received by return, from a different company,a DVD with 16,000 books on it and time is running out.
In the past I've always found online shopping very satisfactory but I'm going to Boycott 'Borders' in future .
It's November already next week. Whatever you're doing have a happy time!

Flu Jabs

Have had an enforced break this week because I've been wearing my nurse's hat. Last week we both had our yearly Flu Jabs and were fine as usual until Friday when suddenly R. felt unwell being hot/cold/shivery and achy and looking a bit poorly. Most unusual for him he took to his bed. I also developed a bit of a sniffle but that didn't justify bed rest. Now according to reports you are only vaccinated with inactive viruses and if you develop flu symptoms it's just a coincidence ! I have my doubts , though as far as we know we haven't been in contact with any Flu victims- all's quiet here on the cold front. I spent all weekend mopping the fevered brow and running up and down stairs keeping a good supply of hot and cold drinks at the ready . Fortunately R. is better now and I'm glad because he can resume his duties. I've got out of the the habit of making supper, washing up, taking rubbish to the bin , cleaning shoes and maintaining my bicycle and as well I've also got used to being chauffeured about .(Perhaps it was all a put up job-a plea for recognition-no- he must have been ill he didn't go cycling or even dust the baby in the garage )
The squirrels haven't hibernated yet. The baby wasn't very adept at hanging upside down to have its dinner so R made him a little seat and he seems to like it.

Here is my Lissa's Create Tuesday 10 contribution-subject - Sweetheart

Happy week !

Some photos.

One of our frequent visitors. Sometimes he brings his wife for a bit of lunch. Yesterday they both came and brought the baby but they wouldn't keep still long enough to be photographed .They are very clever and resourceful and we like to watch their antics as they raid the bird table and try to empty the nutfeeders .I know that they are often considered pests- in fact , it was suggested that when they are culled they could be eaten as the meat is very nutritious! Ugh !!!It doesn't bear thinking about,it would be like eating the cat.

We went for our usual country run yesterday.It was a pleasant outing, a lovely Autumn day, and we had a satisfying pub lunch.

A view of the Ribble Valley

Hornby. There is a heron perched on the weir.

We met this likely lad on the moors

This week promises to be exciting! I have been fancying an e-book reader to ease my multitasking love of knitting and reading at the same time. (I imagine that real book lovers will hold up their hands in horror at the mention of ebook .)Yesterday they were featured in the daily paper with reviews and ratings. Now at my time of life you can't hang about too long so I ordered one right away. I've done some research and there is a DVD with 16,000 classics -everything from a complete Shakespeare to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I can download the modern stuff. How utterly amazing ! If I go in The Home I can take my complete library in my handbag !

What with new clothes and new toys I can see I'll be wanting to go away on holiday next.

My contribution to Create Tuesday 09

A happy week to all !

New Clothes

Today I decided I needed some new clothes. I know I got a T-shirt only last week and the wardrobe is a bit full but a girl has to splash out now and again doesn't she? It was a good opportunity because R. was out cycling and he's not very keen on clothes shopping because it tends to be a bit lengthy, so out came my bicycle and off I went to the shops for a good pawm
This is what I bought

I liked this top, it fitted nicely and felt comfortable . It was priced £15 and is really only a glorified T-shirt . However, here goes-I took it to the counter to pay and the assistant asked if I also wanted to buy a catalogue with free lip gloss included . I declined. Had she said,"Catalogue with free face lift" I might have been tempted . As I produced the money I jokingly said," Are there any bargain offers today?" "Yes, if you buy a catalogue with free lip gloss there's 40% off your purchase" " Right, I'll have one. " so my top cost £9.30 and with free lip gloss. I'll enjoy wearing it all the more!


I also had to buy this jumper to go with a curly whirly (à la Eva )I had made.

And I fell for this natty little cardigan

( I have to confess to slimming down the photos a bit. If the famous can be air brush enhanced I can also have a little technical help )

A happy week to all !