Organisation

Next week sees a huge change in the life of our house.  Sunday will see the last day that anywhere will be less than pristine.  Never again will someone say 'I can't find my ....'.  Unexpected visitors will be greeted by a neat, tidy, freshly cleaned house.  Cupboards will not overspill as you open the door.  Bathrooms will gleam.  Windows will sparkle, dirty dishes will no longer be seen on any work surface.  Limescale will not dare to lurk on shower screens and dust will not settle on coffee tables.  I know - who would have thought it?  And how will this miracle happen?  I have signed up for this

I saw it on Cate's blog and I thought that it may be what I need to kickstart a new routine.  I'm concentrating on the organise aspect of it, our house is clean enough, just sometimes a bit untidy in areas.  I'm not too good at throwing things away, my wardrobe has things in it that have not been worn for 5 years or so but I still keep them.  Just in case.  My sister has already mastered the knack of organised, but I was clearly at the back of that queue.  I was busy queuing in the line marked 'Keep everything, you never know when you might need it'.   My kitchen cupboards used to be orderly, but now I know I have various ingredients, but laying my hands on them is a totally different matter. 
Well - by the end of September that will all have changed.  I mean, I've told you all about my plans now haven't I?  So I've got to go through with it. 

Lost in Translation

Since Coco arrived here we've discovered that there are some words that you can't say out loud as they are interpreted by her in her own way.  We have taken to spelling some words out "I'm going to W.A.L.K to the shops, does anyone want anything?" So here is my translation guide:

How Coco understands various words:
Right = used at the beginning of a sentance means, 'Right, I've done the ironing, I'll just take Coco out for a walk'
Walk = 30 mins of uninterrupted running on grass across the cricket field, around the play fields and around the lake
Lead = I'm going on a walk
Out = I'm going out for a walk
Take = Someone's going to take me out for a walk
Whiz = A quick run around the garden in the dark for a last 'comfort break' before bedtime
Spit it out = chew whatever is in mouth and swallow - quickly
Come here - NOW! = Run around in circles like a mad thing until the humans go dizzy and give up the chase
Bed = Lovely soft places upstairs where I can cuddle up to the humans
Fake tan = something tasty to lick off her mummy's legs
Car = Get my harness out, I'm going out for a drive

Words/sentances Coco does not chooses not to understand:
No
Stop
Wait
Right (does not always precede the words 'I'll just take Coco out')
Get out of the flower bed
What are you eating?
Is that a snail in your mouth?
Spit it out
Come here - NOW!
Your bed is in the kitchen
Come downstairs
I'm just going out, I'll be back in an hour
I've just put fake tan on my legs, stay away from me until it dries

Poor old Cocopops has developed kennel cough and is feeling a bit sorry for herself.  On antibiotics for 5 days and can't go on energetic walks (try telling her that!).  But the good news for her is that the tablets have to be disguised in food and the best way to do that is in a lump of cheese.  Coco loves her cheese!  Every cloud really does have its silver lining!

Hello Bank Holiday Monday

Hello Monday - I'd forgotten you were here until I saw other people's Hello Monday posts pop up in my blog lists!  This is what happens when we have a bank holiday.

Hello Monday - Later on we are popping over to the Red Cow Pub in Crishall for our son and girlfriend's farewell get together.  The original barbecue idea was cancelled on seeing the weather forecast!  Sophie's auntie owns the pup and is laying on food.  This also coincides with the pub's Beer Festival.  Husband very enthusiastic about attending!

 

Hello Monday - My daughter is helping host a baby shower today for her friend who is expecting a baby next month - she made these scrummy cake pops as part of the buffet. 

Hello Monday - This is the last full week of the summer holidays - where did the time go?

 

Hello Monday - I really need to get round to doing all those chores I said I was going to do during the long summer break.  Maybe I'll start tomorrow ...



North of the border

"It's so good to have you home again, we've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too mum, and by the way I'm going up to Scotland next week for four days."

It seems that having my boy home for more than two days at a time is going to be one of those rare occurrences from now on.
This week he signed the lease on a flat in Edinburgh and he will be moving up there while his girlfriend studies for her Masters degree at Edinburgh University.  It's long way from home ... 360 miles; that's six hours of driving, five hours of train journey or 40 minutes of flying depending on how you choose to get there.  I know which one gets my vote.  
I've only been there once but remember that it is a lovely city, with so much to see and do and I know that as long as he is with his girlfriend he doesn't mind where in the world he is.  But this is the end of an era and it feels very strange to know that when he packs up his bedroom this time, it isn't going to just be for a few months at uni or five weeks in Africa, this time it's for real. 
I'll leave you with a photo that he took in one of the villages he visited in Tanzania.  It was on the wall of a small  local business which employed disabled people to recycle glass and plastics to make original items of jewellery or household items such as pots and mirrors.  I think it's a great quote!

The hunt is over

I got me a bride!

 

I’ve known the family of this beautiful young lady for almost 26 years now.  Her eldest brother is the same age as my daughter and I met her mum through NCT classes back in 1986.  She is quite an amazingly talented musician, dancer and singer (don’t just take my word for it, check out this article) and a lovely, lovely girl.  She is especially lovely today, not just because she has that wonderful glow that happy brides have but she has made it possible for me to say “I have completed Rinda’s Scavenger Hunt”.  I have really enjoyed seeking out photos for this and even though he wouldn’t admit it, I think my husband quite enjoyed helping me find them while we were away.  However, the initial jumping for joy and punching the air in success has now faded and I’m left feeling a bit flat that it is over. 

Need to crack on and finish the mini album I’m putting these in but decisions, decisions, which photo should I use?

 

Festival on Facebook

My daughter posted some new photos on Facebook yesterday.  My second thought was "They're nice photos" but my first thought was "Oh good, I've got some new photos to work with".  

Sketch 23 of my 28 days of sketches - done!  

My daughter's had a rough few months and is only gradually starting to get back to her normal self.  Her relationship broke up so she is living back home with us (which is why Coco is a permanent fixture now!) and it's been tough adjusting to things.  Hard to discover that the person you thought you would be spending the rest of your life with turns out not to be the person you thought he was.  But if there is a silver lining to be found, a couple of her close friends have found themselves in exactly the same boat this summer and there is comfort in knowing you are not alone.  Her friends have been amazing.  They have really rallied round and supported her in ways that parents can't.  They have made sure that there are things to do and places to go and she has not sat at home moping at weekends.  She's been to three music festivals, two of which were ankle deep in mud and the third glorious hot sunshine.  This layout celebrates just how important your close girlfriends are in your life.

Swinging for a scavenger

Guess what I found at the weekend?

A swing hanging off a tree branch - and I didn't have to sneak up steps to a terrace while the owner was elsewhere to photograph it!  Now I know that branch looks pretty spindly but I must point out that the swinger who uses this is just under two years old and the seat of the swing is maybe only 10" off the ground.
Now I just have a bride to find, but as my friend's daughter gets married this Thursday, I'm hoping that I will tick that last one off the list and finish off the mini book that documents this project.