I meant to go to Reading today to open a Co-op bank account, but I got distracted. Partly there are so many other things to do, so I don't think I'm very single-minded about it. I know it should be a priority but so much else is telling me it is important too - in a metaphorical sense: I haven't actually heard the hoover shout - 'I need to be used!'
Just seen my last wiblog entry about planting onions and garlic back in October. Well we are now eating the onions and garlic and haven't had to buy any for several weeks nor shall we for several more weeks to come. The broadbeans were a good crop this year, but over now.
Yesterday we went for a wet walk around Polesden Lacey. There was a display of apples for apple day. Very interesting if you didn't know what an apple looked like or thought the differences between apples was worth studying. Actually I was interested to see what meddlars and quinces (not the sort from japonica bushes) looked like. But a glance sufficed.
They were also selling honey. Well it was apple day, so there must have been some sort of logic to it. Perhaps people who like apple trees usually keep bees as well. Does that mean we should start keeping bees, I wonder. We do have a small apple tree.
Anyway we bought a jar of honey, but haven't opened it so I can't say what the honey is like. It is Surrey honey, of course.
Yesterday evening I went to hear Victor Stock, the Dean of Guildford Cathedral, tell us about his Desert Island discs. He seemed an outspoken man who freely admitted to doubting a great deal and not considering God to be a Person. I can't say I share his interest in collecting art or pottery nor his concern for beautiful religion. He was amusing at times but I think I could soon tire of his conversation. I'm not sure what role the Christian faith plays for him except perhaps to sooth and comfort him. It was meant to be an event for non-Christians. I don't think any were present, which was probably just as well.
At some point last week, Monday, I think, I planted some onion sets and garlic in a small bed near the house. Hubby still needs to clear what I optimistically call the vegetable patch of piles of branches and hedge cuttings. He says he'll have a bonfire on bonfire night. Then I hope to put in some broad beans and the rest of the garlic. Garlic is meant to deter the blackfly broadbeans are prone to.
Hubby and I have both had colds, which are still lingering. In my case this tends to earache, even though I am taking the tablets.
Sometime around lunch time our cat seems to have breathed her last. Up until a few days ago she seemed to enjoy life inspite of being thin and stiff. She would struggle up the garden to say 'hello' to me when I was hanging up the washingand even on Sunday she climbed up the garden steps to sit in the patio sun inspite of having to make two attempts.
Our cat, Holly, who was 18 in June this year, has been getting thinner over the last few years, but this week we've noticed how little strength she has in her back legs.
Yesterday she ate practially nothing and stayed on the doorstep all day instead of trying to come inside everytime the door opened. Today she is lying flat on the floor and hasn't even had he energy to finish the sardine I gave her as a treat to tempt her appetite, although she obviously enjoyed what she did eat.
She was funny on Sunday. Daughter made a sardine sandwich and Holly mewed loudly outside, obviously wanting to come in and share the feast. She trotted briskly to the door of the room where her bowl is and stopped when she realised the smell was getting weaker rather than stronger. So I tipped the little that was left in the tin into her bowl and she skated across the floor and almost fell through the door (the room her things are in is at a slightly lower level than the kitchen so there is a step down) and lapped up the flavour of sardine.
Today she started equally enthusiastically, although she didn't need to move much as I put the bowl next to her head, but her chewing slowed right down and she had to rest inbetween mouthfulls. She mews occasionally. Not sure if she feels lonely or is in pain. She perks up a little if you stroke her. We might have to take her to the vet if she stays like this.
Thanks for the tips on managing my veg box, folks. I'll try to put them into practice soon, but the whole thing with veg boxes is you need to be organised, and I'm not terribly at the best of times.
Just now I'm trying to make the house presentable for a visit from a German exchange student. The trouble is I keep so much stuff (of course it isn't junk!! ;) ) in the spare bedroom and now I have to somehow tidy it away.
Took daughter to doctor'sthis morning as she wasn't feeling too great on Friday and had to come home plus has felt giddy a lot lately. Doctor told her she's just too slim and healthy and it's not at all unusual at her age, so she just needs to remember to get up more slowly, eat regular meals and drink plenty, especially when it's warm. This confirms my own suspicions, but I felt I ought to check things out with the doctor, just to be sure.
It led to a useful discussion about nutrition between me and daughter. We talked about school food and I explained that very starchy and sugary foods on their own weren't a good idea because her blood sugar will fall an hour after eating them. Blood sugar seems related to blood pressure. Her diet isn't too bad, really, but I think she is sometimes tempted to eat the sweeter or easier to digest food at school. At least she can make a more informed choice now.
We've been having a veg box for getting on for a year now, with a blip over the summer. I'm feeling fairly pleased with myself for having used up chard, kale, spinach, and Romano cauliflower before they went off even though hubby's not around and it's just the three of us here at the moment. I found a recipe for chard and kale soup, which hubby and I enjoyed on the Monday - the day the veg was delivered and the day before he set off on his travels. The kids weren't keen, but had some, saying "not again, thanks".
I made cauliflower cheese with the cauliflower, which is actually a cross between cauiflower and broccoli and tastes better than either even thought it's lime green colour is a bit off-putting. Cauliflower cheese is son's favourite, but he went out mid-morning and didn't come home till 11.00am, so didn't have any. He did have some on Sunday when we used it up, though.
I can't remember what we had on Wednesday, but Thursday we had bought pizz 'cause I'd been at work all day and wanted to get to house group. I put a courgette from the veg box on my pizza (I had half Thurs and half for lunch on Friday). I finally got round to sorting the spinach out on Saturday after work. It was in pretty good nick considering it must have been picked a week before. I'd kept it in a bag from Lakeland Ltd that's meant to keep things fresh for longer. I washed the spinach, only needing to throw a few leaves away, braiseded it and then, with the heat off, stirred in an egg, some feta cheese and a bit of cheddar. Instead of throwing the mixture in a dish and covering it with scrunched up filo pastry I made 6 individual parcels and thought it tasted nicer that way.
Used carrots and another courgette yesterday and so now have two portions of carrots, 2 courgettes, 2 onions and a few potatoes to go.
We also get fruit delivered with the veg and the bananas haven't been eaten. The strawberries didn't last too long, mind. There are also 2 Williams pears and 3 oranges left. Will we do it? Can we eat it all up before it goes off? It's a challenge every time and for this reason I've decided to have fortnightly box rather than weekly. We just don't get through that quantity of fruit and veg in a week.
Wednesday I had to go to Dorking for a training course. I can now deal with Difficult Customers, so be warned! There is a nice sandwich shop in Dorking at the very far end of the main shopping street and a bit beyond most of the shops. It might be called Doorstep Sandwiches. They make them for you while you wait and wrap them in paper, not plastic. A paper napkin and an after dinner mint were also supplied.
Yesterday was a work day. It occured to me that there are difficult customers who are difficult in a straightforward sort of way and they are usually fairly straightforward to deal with: you can calmly and politely stand your ground or quiver like jelly and give in. ;)
However, there are some people it is hard to know how to handle. Some libraries are frequented by very smelly people and they aren't really doing anything wrong, but they make the whole region they are in, and possibly the whole library, very unpleasant to be in unless you have a blocked nose. And some people just behave oddly and make you feel uncomfortable and if they approach a young person and start chatting to them it is rather worrying, but they haven't really done anything wrong, either. The course didn't really help us know how to handle these people.
Today I did a lot of clearing up and a lot of that was washing up and wiping up because teenagers seem to use a lot of crockery but they don't have much interest in making that crockery clean and ready for next time they need it. I did have to make myself sound very cross at one point to get son to do some cleaning and clearing up that really was his responsibility - and I didn't have to act much.
Hubby and I managed to chat tonight. He's on a bit of a tour of conferences at the moment and has moved on from Nottingham to Aachen. Last night he tried to phone me while I was at housegroup. Both his talks seem to have gone well.
I've been feeling a bit tired and groggy lately so I'm planning on an early night ready for an early start tomorrow when I shall be working again.
I had an early start this morning followed by a rather late start. Hubby had to catch an early train with a heavy suitcase so I dropped him off at the station at 5.25 am, having been woken by the alarm at 4.30 am. I went back to bed at 6.00 am not expecting to sleep and the next thing I knew it was 8.30 am and I could hear the bin men collecting the recycling - I thought they were meant to come yesterday, but at least they've come.
Just as well I didn't have to be anywhere today. In fact I'm not sure I've woken up properly all day.
Otherwise I'm trying to think about how we can bless the poor by the way we live. There's a bit of a discussion going on about it in the Generous Cafe , if you're interested.
A really great service at church today. The vicar's youngest was baptised/christened and lots of their friends and family were there including many people they know in the local community who don't ususally come along. There were lots of kids, too, and while they were free to move around they didn't make too much noise. People were looking after other people's kids as they walked or crawled near them and I had one little crawler on my lap for a while as I was on the way to the door.
The talk was very much aimed at the kids, with the help of a couple of love-bird puppets, but with a clear message to parents asking if we put chains on our kids by transferring our expectations and unfufilled hopes onto them.
The prayers were also done in a way to appeal to the kids as the vicar's two eldest boys (he has four in all) used bubble making equipment recently purchased at Greenbelt to make bubbles before each 'Amen'.
Today we have reason to celebrate: 22 years of marriage. Unfortunately hubby has to work today and I am on the late shift in the library, which means I shall leave home before he returns and get back after 8 pm. But we shall try to enjoy our meal together then and perhaps do something else tomorrow.
There are only two loos in the library and both were out of action today. However, all was not lost because out of 3 other loos in the building the one gents' loo was still usable.
From time to time someone manages to block the drains and it may happen on neighbouring premises. The result is a messy car park and unusable loos. Not very nice. Thankfully the loos are working again, but the car park won't be cleaned up till tomorrow, so we all walked through it rather gingerly tonight on our way home.
PS I have posted some photos of Greenbelt here http://living-faith.blogspot.com/2006/08/images-of-greenbelt.html
My in-laws' cat is probably not a year old yet and she is petrified of seagulls, and with good reason. They have acted aggressively towards her in the past and just recently one carried her off and deposited her on a shed roof! Maybe the bird decided this was one takeaway that might be more trouble that it was worth.
We're back. We got back about 11.30 pm yesterday. Greenbelt was great fun as usual. Lovely to meet everyone I did, sorry not to have more time to chat. I'm also sorry I missed the wibmeet, but other meetings occured. I now need to let it all sink in while I get the washing and general housework under control.
Three houses just went past our house on lorries. Honest. Daughter is a witness. One looked complete the other two were timber frames. Tried to take photos but batteries flat. Must get packed for GB now.
I'd hoped to post more about the holiday but I've been busy trying to get straight and getting ready for Greenbelt, plus we've had to spend some time getting daughter kitted out for school, although without a great deal of success.
Today I was at work and I realised I haven't caught up with lack of sleep Saturday night. I've got a bit of a sore throat, so it's definitely an early night tonight along with echinacea tablets. I want to be fit and well for Greenbelt.
It was also extremely busy at work today with everyone bringing back the books they borrowed for their holidays and I was on the counter practically all day, so I'm whacked now.
Interestingly a certain bloggers' (http://www.communityorbust.blogspot.com/) wife came in although we aren't her local library, so I might spot her at Greenbelt now I know what she looks like.
We're home. We arrived about half past seven after a night flight from Palma. We were staying at the Hotel More (http://www.hotelmore.com/ing_presentacion.htm), which is situated one kilometre on the quiter side of Acludia (http://www.idealspain.com/pages/Places/mallorca/Alcudia.htm). We only went to Puerto Alcudia once, preferring the beach at Pollensa, which was only a short bus ride away.
We had a very relaxing time. The other hotel in our bay did have noisy entertainments but most nights we were too tired to notice. Mallorca seems very busy with tourists today, so it probably doesn't get a lot quieter unless you want to stay somewhere remote and inaccessable. I guess we were spoilt in Scotland last year - we stayed in such a quiet and peaceful spot.
Feeling a lot better today, so was up at 6.15 cleaning the fridge. We're basically packed and well within the limit for the weight of our luggage even with both hubby's walking boots.
Lots still to do mind you, so will go now. I'll try and make a few posts from Mallorca if I get the chance.
It looks like a lovely day for Dave's and Maddie's wedding after a fairly gloomy and muggy one yesterday - I understand it is being held somewhere near here.
So Jeffrey John and his partner of 30 years have quietly embarked on a civil partnership in the same week that the Wibsite's very own Dave Walker intends to tie the knot with Maddie C, who is also well known to the wiblogging community. Less secrecy surrounds the ceremony and it takes place after less than 30 years together, as far as I know, but evenso they've been together quite long enough.
I wish both couples many happy years together and hope very much that the big day goes well for Dave and his bride tomorrow.
I can't think of much else to say. I felt a bit groggy yesterday, especially in the morning and not too great at the moment. Yesterday I wondered if it was a reaction to the red wine/vinegar mixture I used to cook mixed mushroom ragout, which was delicious, on Wednesday evening. However, I woke up with a very painful neck last night so now wonder if I've put that out lifting some heavy shopping, but it was better most of yesterday. Then again, as hubby suggests, it could be the stress of thinking about getting ready to go on holiday.
The trouble is earrache can make my neck painful and even make me feel queasy, and a headache can also have a similar effect, while neckache can make pain spread to various places and also make me feel queasy, so sometimes it's hard to know what the root cause is.
If it clears up as soon as we are on holiday I think hubby will have been right. If, on the other hand, I make Mixed Mushroom Ragout again after the holdiay, in order to carry out a controlled experiment, and find the symptoms come back, I shall know I need to avoid either red wine or oyster mushrooms.
Our daughter is now home safe and sound from the Zone Getaway, somewhere near Yeovil. It seems the accommodation and food weren't as good as previous years when they were on the Isle of Wight, but they had lots of fun and a great time.
I've just had fun putting my music onto my MP3 player: Bruce Springsteen's latest; U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind; Joan Baez, Bowery Sessions; Bruce Cockburn, Nothing but a Burning Light; Mark Knopfler, Sailing to Philadelphia; Wildgoose, Love from Below and about half of Ten by Kate Rusby and then 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple, which is very short.
Hope I don't wish I had put a different selection on there when I'm lying in the Mediterranean sun, but I don't think I will.
I'm currently ripping some CDs ready to put them on my MP3 player, which arrived on Saturday. It is a light blue Creative Zen Nano Plus 512MB for anyone who is interested in these details. I thought it would be good to have some music I like to listen to on holiday.
I thought I would add Celtic Daily Prayer to encourage me to make regular times to pray. I can see that this could help me pray in my lunch break at work, too. I'm beginning to understand the value of prayer you can dowload from the internet for your MP3 player, too. Perhaps an MP3 player will open up a whole new world. Time will tell.
It seems a bit self-indulgent mind you. I'm wondering how this could become a generous thing. Can MP3 players be used to benefit other people? I suppose I can try not to be selfish by having it on too loud, anyway.
After I'd been to church we decided to take a picnic lunch to the grounds of Petworth House. We sat near the far entrance by the trees and had a simple but enjoyable meal listening to a chorus of grasshoppers 'singing' joyously as the sun shone upon them. I could even spy one with its legs together, but I suppose they were moving too fast for me to see.
After a bit we decided to stroll around the nearest lake, which was quite a small one. There were several anglers around it but we found an empty spot with a grassy knowle to sit upon and the ducks and geese decided to come and see us even though we had nothing for them. Most of the ducks looked quite young and at one point five of them appeared silently on the bank one after the other, after coming up through the reeds, looking just like they were escaping from Colditz.
In spite of the forecast rain it has been a dry day here, although definitely cooler, thankfully, but still sunny enough to feel pleasantly warm.
Yesterday I had to work and it was so hot again. I was worn out by the end of the day.
Our daughter is off to the West Country on a 'Getaway' with her church youth group. Shan't see her 'til Monday evening. :(
There is a cool breeze at the moment, which is very welcome. We haven't been sleeping too well with this heat.
Son started work at 7.00 am again this morning and yesterday. It means he finishes by 4.00 pm.
Not too long before we're off on holiday: Mallorca this year. Not very environmentally friendly, I know. We did spend our holiday in Scotland last year, although we didn't take the train. If we'd relied on public trasport we'd have been very restricted.
It's a difficult one really. We live in a age of wonderful travel opportunities, but if we take them we may well be contributing to global warming or even the ultimate destruction of the planet. I expect the answer has something to do with balance.
Had a lovely day yesterday. My parents came up. They don't do that too often these days. It's not so much that Dad is over 80 as that they go to my sister's for a weekend or overnight stay every 3 or 4 weeks to babysit her young son while she and her hubby work. Of course the age factor does come into it as Dad doesn't want to be driving so much these days and isn't always in the best of health during the Winter months, although he is remarkably fit for his age.
So it was really good to see them yesterday. They decided they wanted to have a look round Waitrose as they don't have a branch close to them and the nearest ones are fairly small. The airconditioning was an added bonus. Otherwise we just sat in the house with the curtains almost closed and the windows open. They went out to look at the garden a couple of times.
Our daughter came home at half past one as the school has decided to close early this last week of term due to the heat. Yesterday's Sports Day was condensed into a Sports Morning. She only stayed for an hour, though, having decided to meet a friend to do some shopping before going to the teen cafe for milkshake and mini snooker.
I thought I'd better give our son a lift home from work as he hadn't slept much the night before and it had turned very hot. He went to the IMAX cinema at Waterloo Monday night to see the latest Superman movie with it's 3D effects, and didn't get in until 2.00 am even though he had agreed to do an early shift at work starting at 7.00 am! Once I'd collected him from work he stayed home until 6.30, eating his dinner just before the rest of us. He was off to the cinema again, this time a more local cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean. He was in by midnight and slept till nearly 9.00 am this morning.
We had mackerel salad for dinner, followed by icecream and strawberries. Very simple fayre, but it seemed special with Mum and Dad there. Hubby was home from work soon after 5.30, which is early for him, but he'd also had an early start, having to be in work by 8.00 am. Our daughter also returned in time for dinner.
It rained last night, too. I'm so glad for rain at the moment as our garden is looking so dry and we can only water it with a watering can as a hosepipe ban is in operation in the area.
Lifes Rich Tapestry 
9
Permalink