Many Happy Returns to a Lovely Lady!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Year - New Beginning
I thought I'd try a weekly summary of my life...
At church - last Sunday it was my turn to lead the service. The sermon was entitled The X Factor - a competition between Paul, Apollo and Peter, based on 1Corinthians chapter1. It was conducted like the real thing, there was even a keypad on the notices sheet which you had to press to register your vote! When interviewed, Paul was not pleased to have won, he was gutted that the church in Corinth had this argument. He was off to write them a letter about it, telling them what he thought!
The best bit came when the vicar confessed he just could not bring himself to include Jesus Christ in such a contest.
Tuesday night was the monthly prayer time when we were greeted by a very welcome cup of hot punch- just the thing on ssuch a cold night.
Wednesday morning I helped at Hippo club - our very popular Toddlers club. I met the mother of someone I taught about 15 years ago so it was nice to catch up.
On Thursday Romeo and I did the cleaning rota. Or the two people who should have been doing it , my friend L has gone to Australia for a holiday, and the other, M, has had to go off on family business.
At the Hospital, on my weely visit to the ward, I met a Jewish lady, a Buddhist lady and a JW one.
People I have seen have included the blind and elderly husband of M. He's on his own while she's away. It never fails to amaze me how he can manage on his own. At one point the water was turned off because of a burst water main. I took him a bottle of water - no need, ' I was ready for it, (the kettle and bottles had been filled), I lived through the war you know'!
I also had a trip to Artbase at Hornchurch with my friend E ( BF's Grandma). I think she might be inspired to start scrapbooking.
On TV I have watched a week long series of a dramatisation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
On the computer I have been working on Photoshop Elements which Evie kindly gave us for Christmas. I have also learned to type letters with an accent.
The weather this week has been really cold with temperatures below freezing. Yesterday out beyond Ilford and Romford the freezing fog was much thicker than here. The lowest temperature overnight was at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire where it was -7.
In the house, the cards are still up and being enjoyed and the glass bowl of baubles is still being admired. We had to put our tree out on Boxing Day - it was completely dried up. In fact the trees on the pavements (awaiting recycling) all seem to be in better condition than ours was at the end.
In the garden a blackbird is hanging around. Everything is droopy and cold looking except two shrubs. One is the viburnum bodnantse Dawn at the bottom of the garden - it is in full bloom, little pink blossomy flowers. The other, at the bottom of the steps, is cornus alba elegantissima. Known as dogwood in the States, it is now resplendant in its winter form of leafless red stems.
I have been reading Witchwood by John Buchan (of The 39 Steps fame) and Whats so amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancy. I heard an interview with him on Premier last week and thought he sounded OK... so raided Evie's bookshelf.
I am looking forward to going to Muswell Hill tomorrow to the Scrapbooking Crop - and hoping we can find away home which will avoid the Arsenal crowds.
At church - last Sunday it was my turn to lead the service. The sermon was entitled The X Factor - a competition between Paul, Apollo and Peter, based on 1Corinthians chapter1. It was conducted like the real thing, there was even a keypad on the notices sheet which you had to press to register your vote! When interviewed, Paul was not pleased to have won, he was gutted that the church in Corinth had this argument. He was off to write them a letter about it, telling them what he thought!
The best bit came when the vicar confessed he just could not bring himself to include Jesus Christ in such a contest.
Tuesday night was the monthly prayer time when we were greeted by a very welcome cup of hot punch- just the thing on ssuch a cold night.
Wednesday morning I helped at Hippo club - our very popular Toddlers club. I met the mother of someone I taught about 15 years ago so it was nice to catch up.
On Thursday Romeo and I did the cleaning rota. Or the two people who should have been doing it , my friend L has gone to Australia for a holiday, and the other, M, has had to go off on family business.
At the Hospital, on my weely visit to the ward, I met a Jewish lady, a Buddhist lady and a JW one.
People I have seen have included the blind and elderly husband of M. He's on his own while she's away. It never fails to amaze me how he can manage on his own. At one point the water was turned off because of a burst water main. I took him a bottle of water - no need, ' I was ready for it, (the kettle and bottles had been filled), I lived through the war you know'!
I also had a trip to Artbase at Hornchurch with my friend E ( BF's Grandma). I think she might be inspired to start scrapbooking.
On TV I have watched a week long series of a dramatisation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
On the computer I have been working on Photoshop Elements which Evie kindly gave us for Christmas. I have also learned to type letters with an accent.
The weather this week has been really cold with temperatures below freezing. Yesterday out beyond Ilford and Romford the freezing fog was much thicker than here. The lowest temperature overnight was at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire where it was -7.
In the house, the cards are still up and being enjoyed and the glass bowl of baubles is still being admired. We had to put our tree out on Boxing Day - it was completely dried up. In fact the trees on the pavements (awaiting recycling) all seem to be in better condition than ours was at the end.
In the garden a blackbird is hanging around. Everything is droopy and cold looking except two shrubs. One is the viburnum bodnantse Dawn at the bottom of the garden - it is in full bloom, little pink blossomy flowers. The other, at the bottom of the steps, is cornus alba elegantissima. Known as dogwood in the States, it is now resplendant in its winter form of leafless red stems.
I have been reading Witchwood by John Buchan (of The 39 Steps fame) and Whats so amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancy. I heard an interview with him on Premier last week and thought he sounded OK... so raided Evie's bookshelf.
I am looking forward to going to Muswell Hill tomorrow to the Scrapbooking Crop - and hoping we can find away home which will avoid the Arsenal crowds.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Time for Presents!
The scene is set - the tree has held up remarkably well - looks better in the photos than real life! Evie has arrived home from her church community lunch. Santa checks that his(her ) hat is OK
Everyone is delighted with the gifts the receive - many thanks to all!
Job done, pose for a photo, while Berry wonders'what was all that about?'
Everyone is delighted with the gifts the receive - many thanks to all!
Job done, pose for a photo, while Berry wonders'what was all that about?'
Christmas Day -- morning and afternoon
A hoodie in the kitchen was making her porridge, until her mother asked her about codes for texting to far flung places, Guadeloupe and Tenerife to be exact. While the Hoodie looked up the codes online she forgot about her porridge...ooops. But we didn't need the fire brigade, thankfully!
So another pot of porridge. And all the windows had to be opened. Fortunately it was quite a nice day.
Lunchtime was quiet. So many trimmings there was hardly room for the turkey. Many thanks to Romeo for cooking the meal. All were very restrained with our traditional cream this year.
Then we retired to the drawing room (ha ha) to watch HRH The Queen.
So another pot of porridge. And all the windows had to be opened. Fortunately it was quite a nice day.
Lunchtime was quiet. So many trimmings there was hardly room for the turkey. Many thanks to Romeo for cooking the meal. All were very restrained with our traditional cream this year.
Then we retired to the drawing room (ha ha) to watch HRH The Queen.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Eve at Malvern Manor.
James was suppsosed to be sticking stamps on his dad's Christmas cards but couldn't take his eyes of the computer screen!
A greeting appeared on the fridge door. The letters had been hidden underneath for months.
Romeo and I went to the Angel for lunch in a favourite cafe in Chapel Market. On the way back we saw this robin - no, HEARD t
his robin in a tree outside our garden! Berry helped to wrap parcels while I iced the cake and searched for the decorations, which I haven't found yet... any ideas where I could look next?
Evie spent a lot of time saving the tree which I got far too early and didn't realise it couldn't get the water in the bucket...For full details look at Evie's blog.
Finally James tried for an altered greeting while his mum baked two cakes, which smelt so good I nearly went to Beccles for Christmas!
A greeting appeared on the fridge door. The letters had been hidden underneath for months.
Romeo and I went to the Angel for lunch in a favourite cafe in Chapel Market. On the way back we saw this robin - no, HEARD t
his robin in a tree outside our garden! Berry helped to wrap parcels while I iced the cake and searched for the decorations, which I haven't found yet... any ideas where I could look next?Evie spent a lot of time saving the tree which I got far too early and didn't realise it couldn't get the water in the bucket...For full details look at Evie's blog.
Finally James tried for an altered greeting while his mum baked two cakes, which smelt so good I nearly went to Beccles for Christmas!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Happy Birthday, Brother!
This is a selection of photos I gathered together this morning! Still it will be online before you get to the computer, George. Did you know you sent me and Margaret a Christmas card when you were hours old? The outside picture is the old (now demolished) nursing home.
Then there is you at 1 year old, in the garden at Cumnock with Lassie's pups in Mum's shopping basket, was it after this that she started to keep clothes pegs in it. You'll need to tell me why the next two were taken. Maybe the Scout one was when you became a Queen's Scout.
You are the cowboy with Ian McAllister I think it was. Finally, when you visited London earlier in the year, and in front of the Scottish Parliament in November.
We are all hoping you have a lovely day and Many Happy Returns of the Day!
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