31st December 2014

Remember me? Hopefully there are still a few of you around that do. It is 11 months since I have written a blog. I started 2014 with such very good intentions. I even managed a photo a day through January. I also began a Fabrilushus blog where I was blogging about knitting. I intended to try out a new craft each month. I was looking ahead to a good year.

Sadly it all went wrong at the beginning of February when my dear Dad suffered a very bad stroke. He was in the Lister hospital and initially we had hope that he would recover and go home. Sadly it never happened. He went to a rehabilitation place in Old Welwyn but they were never able to even begin helping him as he was ill from the moment he arrived. He was moved back to the Lister hospital on the 17^th of March and he died 2 days later on the 19^th of March.

As dying goes it was the best. He was not in pain and he was aware what was happening. In fact he actively chose it. He refused treatment. They told him he would die that day and asked if that was what he wanted. He told them yes. They asked my sister and I if we agreed and we said yes, it was what he wanted. He was ready and wanted to be with Mum.

He had pretty much his entire family around him including his year old great grandson, Jackson sitting on the bed. When we asked him if he could feel Jackson touching his hand he nodded his head, yes. I am so grateful that he knew we were all there.

It was the worst day of my life.

Since then the year has gone on without him and I have found it hard. I miss him so much it is hard to even describe.

In a lot of respects I am feeling sad tonight because tomorrow is a new year and a part of me doesn't want to be in a year that he will not be a part of. On the other hand, I am glad to see the back of 2014 as it was such a sad time for me.

I know he is up there somewhere with Mum and that they are watching over us all. He is probably saying pull yourself together, get yourself a drink and toast the new year.

In an hours time I shall do just that, except I shall raise a toast to both of them and thank them for being the best parents I could wish for.

Tomorrow is a new day and I shall pick myself up and go on.

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Sunday 2nd February,  I had a custom order from a lady in Merika for a St Patrick's day hanging heart.  The same lady has previously purchased a Valentines heart.

This was what I made for her this afternoon.

Prompt-A-Day

Well I have managed to get through January with a photo a day but to be honest I am still struggling to get back to daily blogging.  A friend of mine has just started to join in with something called “Prompt-a-day”.  It is very similar to my old daily photo themes.  The idea is that a prompt is given for each day and you then run with that and write something on that theme.  Obviously everyone will interpret it differently. 

Should you wish to join in you can find a list of Februarys prompts here: http://writealm.com/february-prompt-a-day/

You will also be able to see in the comments the links to other participants blogs.

The prompt for today is: 1. First things first.

I pride myself on being a very organised person.  I like to plan ahead.  So for me no matter what I am doing, or thinking, or planning, my “first things first” is a list.  Yes, I am a list maker.  I think you either are or you aren’t but for me I need a list.

I have lots.  I have a list of household chores, daily, weekly and monthly.  I have lists of menu ideas and of course a shopping list.  Is there anyone who can shop without a list? I have lists of birthdays and present ideas.  Lists of things I want to do, lists of things to make, places I want to visit……..The lists go on and on!

The reason a list is my “first things first” is I very much doubt that I would ever get started on anything without one.   I like order and structure in life.  I don’t like the unexpected.

So with that in mind, I am copying and pasting the list of February’s daily prompts.   I very much hope to be able to join in with some of these.

My friend Jane who has bought this to my attention wrote her post on Tea.  It is interesting especially as she has a link to information about the social history of tea drinking.  You can see it here.  Writing and stuff.

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1st February 2014. It's Saturday so it was a kennel day.  This is Obi.

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I have been messing around playing with some photos today. I have taken a whole lot of photos of some baby dribble bibs / bandannas.  One that I made was in a turquoise colour.  It is an Amy Butler fabric.

 

I have changed it into this.  I like it. Maybe this is a way to get a unique fabric.  Play around with Adobe effects and then get your "new" design printed on to fabric!!

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Today was Simon's day off this week and we went to the kennels for a few hours this morning.  The people who are having little Jack came to visit again.  They are having some work done on their garden fencing so can't actually have Jack for another week.

You have already seen a photo of Jack so I am showing you Chrissie. She has just gone into a foster home.

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A quick one for today as I have been busy with little one.

Jilly

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I'm still knitting! I have now completed 10 garter stitch squares so a blanket for Loulou might be a possibility eventually.  More exciting than squares I am now knitting with the lovely chunky wool on very big chunky needles.  Both new experiences for me.

I have already completed half of a mitten and the headband. I am waiting for some big eyed sewing needles that I have ordered so that I can stitch the headband together.  I am also waiting on a visit from Denise to show me how to pick up the stitches around the thumb on the mitten so that I can finish it.  I have never had to do that before and although I think I might have it straight in my head, I am not sure and don't want to mess it up.

So today, while I am waiting, I started on the cowl.  I think it is about half way there as it has to measure 20 inches in total.  I am really pleased with it so far although the loose edge bothers me slightly.  The wool is gorgeously soft and because the pattern has rows that are sort of open with big loops I think it will be very warm.

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This is one photo that speaks for itself.  Our boy is home.

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We spent another few hours today at the doggie kennels.  There were a few appointments and fingers crossed 2 more dogs may be going to their new homes very soon.

The weather was horrid again, very wet and cold but it didn't stop Simon having some doggies out to play.

This is Charlie he is a Beagle Harrier and is nearly a year old.  He is full of energy and mischief and yet another that I wish I could bring home!

We had a very pleasant afternoon just lazing around at home and then went to Sam and Lisa's for dinner.  Roast beef, yum, yum.  Was lovely to have some time with the girls. Nearly bedtime now.

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Saturday, so once again it is time to head off for the doggie kennels.   We did go to the Vet in Stamford first to collect more donated bedding.  We have been overwhelmed and really touched by the support we have had for our appeal for bedding.  People are amazing. We fetched another car load back from the Vet.

The weather was truly foul today.  Cold and wet. Despite that Simon managed to complete the tidying up of the exercise area that he begun yesterday. He cut back trees and bushes that were overhanging and swept up leaves and weeded and much more.  It looks way better now.

I was busy inside talking to people and showing them the dogs.  I did however go out for a short while.  This is me with Annie.  Simon is trying to teach her a few tricks!!  She has come out of her shell so much.  She is very timid around anyone she doesn't know and it has taken many months for us to gain her trust.  For a long while she accepted Simon but still wouldn't come near me.  As you can see we are fine now, although she can still be a bit skittish. Annie is a Neapolitan Mastiff cross.

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Today was Simons day off so it was doggie kennel day.  We had an appointment with a guy called Mike who together with his partner is interested in Jack a little Patterdale Terrier.

All went extremely well and hopefully Jack will be in his furever home in the next week or so.

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A very quick one for today.  I am still busy learning how to knit.  I have ordered some lovely chunky wool and some big needles to do a scarf and cowl.  While I am waiting I have been continuing to knit the garter stitch squares.

Here are my latest 4. I am using up scraps.  I have done 8 now so maybe sewing them together into a blanket for Loulou isn't such a pipe dream.  Only need to do about another 40!

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Wednesday today which means it is Jessie day. I only have her 1 day a week now as she attends kindergarten the other 4 days.  She is such a good little girl and an absolute delight.  One of her favourite sayings is " I do make you laugh, don't I Nanny?"  Something that made me laugh today was when she said " I do talk a lot don't I?"  That came after over an hour of non stop chat!

She is very good at amusing herself and loves playing with the dolls.  The pink tub is where I keep the dolls and assorted dolly paraphernalia. It also makes a good toy in its own right.

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Quick one for today.  Look what the postman bought me..........  BUTTONS!

I love buttons.  I got these from EBay.  I want to try out some button crafts so maybe that will be next months craft challenge.  Going to sort that big bag now and see if there are any real special ones.

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The other day when I posted a photo of Simon cooking some of my old friends commented that they have never seen my kitchen since we moved to this house 2 years ago.   Yes, the 2 year anniversary  was on the 15th of December.  Time flies.  Still love this house.

So I took a whole bunch of photos today which I will post later but here is one to be going on with.

It shows most of the kitchen.  Oh and by the way, for those of you that commented about Simon cooking, he is a very good cook as am I!  I do all the cooking during the week and dinner is served as he walks through the door at 6pm.  He will often cook at weekends and holiday times. Just thought I would mention that as some of you seem to have this idea that I never cook!

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A quick one today as I have been busy.  This is what I have been working on today.

Anyone want to guess what it is (hopefully) going to be?

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We went to Cambridge today for little Jackson's first birthday party.  It was held in the sports hall of the college where Steve works.  There were 35 of us so a bit too many to have in their home.   It went really well and everyone had a lovely time.  The birthday boy was very good.   He had a lovely number one birthday cake baked and decorated by his Mummy.  Verity is a fabulous cook.

Little man did need some help from Mummy to blow out his candles.

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A very quick photo today.  This is Simon preparing dinner.  He is home by half past four on Fridays so he usually cooks the dinner. He is a good cook. It wasn't anything fancy; lemon chicken with mashed potato, broccoli and carrots.

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We were at the kennels today to bath Lily. Lily is a Husky Cross.  She has a skin condition due to a zinc deficiency.  This is quite a common thing with Huskies.  She has zinc tablets but she also needs regular baths. She was a very good girl in the bath.

Before we began we took her out for some playtime and general fuss time.  Here she is with Simon. 

She is the sweetest girl.  You can find out more about her and see more photos HERE 

Jacksons First Birthday

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Jackson

Happy Birthday to you!!

Jackson George Youngs is 1 year old today.

With lots and lots of love from

Nanny and Grandad xxxx

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Today is a very special day.  Our little grandson turns one year old today.  I can't believe where that year has gone to and I can't believe just how far he has come.  I expect some of you will remember this time last year.  I know none of our family will ever forget.  Little Jackson was born at just 29 weeks gestation and weighed just 3lbs.  This photo is not one that I have taken it is the one that Verity posted on her Facebook page today. The tiny little bodysuit that he is holding in the right hand photo says "I'm a little miracle" It was one of the first things that I got for him.  It was a long while before he was big enough to fit in it.

This is the text that accompanied that photo from Verity.

Happy Birthday my precious boy, one today! I had to wait 5 days to hold you, a week to see your whole face, about 2 weeks (before I dared) to kiss you and 6 weeks to bring you home. But we never felt hard done by, the opposite, we felt very lucky. It was a happy, scary, worrying and joyful time all in one. We love you little man, you are perfect. — feeling blessed

This photo was taken by me but clearly not today!  It is one of the first ones that I took  of Jackson.

 I know Photo 365 is about taking a photo a day but today is different.  Today is our little miracles day. Today is special.

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I have had a nice day.  Went to visit an Etsy friend this morning, she lives in the village. Had a nice chat over a coffee. Had a lazy day after that.  Made a couple of birthday cards, did some research online for some ideas I have had, made some cakes and then finished another knitted square.

Simon was home late as he was running get ahead sessions for exam students. Had country chicken for dinner and then watched Eastenders.  Very lazy really!

Today's photo is Simon in his garage. Despite coming home late he still went out to play!  He is currently making some kind of lifting thing. That is as much as I know.

He did say that he has made it all out of scrap metal that he had laying around and it would cost around £300 new. He is going to price up the materials to see if they would be viable for him to make and sell.

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Another busy day.  Lots of housework today but I did find time to make a little purple brooch.  The bits and bobs came from a Crafty Creatives box. You can find out more about them on my Fabrilushus blog. Anyway, this is what I made.

It is purple felt.  It has a brass, filigree square with pink bugle bead in the centre.  There is a pink and black braid around the edge and it has bugle beads in each corner.  I am quite pleased with it and the photo doesn't do it justice.  Really must get to grips with my new camera.