Thank goodness....

Thank goodness we decided not to go to Harrogate today.The other night I decided to check the hotel we were staying in( I am sure I had done it before).The recent reviews were awful!Syringes found in rooms,a bra in a bed,never anyone on Reception,doors not locked and people thought it was quite scary.C said we were not staying there.The only problem was I had gone past the cancellation time so I wasted £65.That decision having been made it meant we could go any day so a snap decision was made to go yesterday.It took us less than two hours to get there.I spent three hours in the show and spent a fortune.One thing I bought was the bookmark above.I thought I would do it for Sarah for Xmas,it having hearts on it.Michael Powell was actually selling his own stuff so it was good to meet him.Coming back took us longer because we had to get round Leeds and Manchester in the rush hour.

This is for the Xmas tree from a Canadian company

A new yarn to me.It makes fabulous scarves and comes in fabulous colours.

This was something I spotted.You can make lots of things with it.It's French knitting on a larger scale.I did buy other things but don't want to bore you.

Thank goodness we did go to Harrogate yesterday!It is snowing here and sticking!We live on a hill and any ice and snow we struggle.As it is we are sat here,hot chocolate in hand,watching the tennis,knitting on the go and feeling warm and toasty.

Sarah,Claire and Allison-I met Kerrie's( Hipknits) mum.I was so tempted to say all sorts of things!!

Xmas shopping

Two days of xmas shopping!We still havn't finished.I like to do armchair browsing to cut down the choice but you still have to go and look and feel etc.Toysrus was one of our ports of call today.We bought two things.The man in front of us at the till spent£794!!We want to get the five grandchildren sorted out first and like to come up with our own ideas but they already have so much it is so difficult.Main presents are sorted.Then they will have a game and something to make.Three parcels each as we will all be together this year.Then it is the adults.......

Our granddaughter Emily is very excited about the Royal wedding as it is on her 6th birthday.It means a day off school but I sense a princess party coming up.

Two more visits to the theatre in the last week."Blackthorn" and "Ill Met by Moonlight".Both very good.Nothing else booked at the moment but we may go and see Dylan Thomas's "A Childs Christmas in Wales" if we can get tickets.

This Friday we should be going to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate but there is snow forecast.The plan is to set off on Friday morning and go via Skipton and the Dales and end up in Harrogate in a B&B which I have booked.I will go into the show and C will do his Xmas shopping and we will head back late afternoon on Saturday.I havn't been for a number of years because of my knee ops so I shall be so disappointed if we don't make it.

Sarah has had a good couple of days,less nausea and as a result feeling better in herself.

Any ideas of what I can get my OH for Xmas welcomed.It is his birthday on Dec 11th as well.

Two theatre visits in one week.

On Tuesday evening we went to see the Richard Alston Dance Company and it was brilliant.They did three pieces-Movements from Petrushka.The music was by Stravinsky played on a grand piano.The second was Out of the Strong.The music Piano Concerto No.6 by Prokofiev again played live on piano.The third was Shuffle it Right danced to Hoagy Carmichael music.All three were really good.Dance is really well supported at Theatr Clwyd and it was almost full.

On Saturday morning we went to the other extreme and took our two granddaughters to Charlie and Lola!Ruby has never been to the theatre before and we thought she may freak out as it was in the main auditorium.She sat on my knee and in the first half kept sneaking the odd kiss but both of them were totally engrossed.Every detail was related to M and D later.We didn't think it was particularly good but what do we know.The kids all loved it.

The weekend ended with Ruby's third birthnday today.See her in all her finery surrounded by all the remnants of present opening.We just went along for a party tea.The main party had been at a play barn yesterday.S coped really well and does seem to be on the mend.Me,I'm ready for a soak in the bath and a few chapters of Jane Austen's Persuasion which I have to read by Thursday.

Update on Sarah

Just a quick update on S.she had an appointment with her GP this morning.Her husband was supposed to be going into work late.he had told Em he would take her to school.He took Ru to nursery and then went to work!!Completely forgot.It was only when he opened his diary in work he realised.He raced back and got there just as she was about to go in.She was so furious that he had let her down by not being there for her and letting Em down she went in on her own.Men!!The GP was very sympathetic and has changed her medication and reduced the dose.He wants to see her again next week and if she is still nauseous they will go back to the old regime.It seems she got very upset and he again will see how that is next week and if she is still low will consider anti depressants or talking therapy but she said to him "I don't need that.I have got my mum".She thought at one point he was going to give her a hug!We then met up in Chester.She wanted a top to wear over xmas.She tried on loads but I eventually treated her to 2 tops in M&S.She fitted into size 14 and they both looked great.I think she was amazed and that will have done her a load of good for her self esteem.She was very tearful all day but I think she will come out of it.Fingers crossed.

Worries about our daughter and my new car.

This my new car.Well,it isn't new.It's a 57 reg but it has only done 15,000 miles.Previously I had a C3 but it was 7 years old and we knew we would have to spend on it for the MOT.It really is an indulgence running two cars now we are retired but C and I have different interests and are often going in opposite directions.So we opted for this Toyota Aygo.£20 road tax and very economical.The trouble is I am not sure I like it!It sounds like sewing machine on wheels.I daren't admit to C I am not too sure.I will get used to it but I did love my C3.

On a more serious note.We are very worried about our daughter.She is a Type 1 diabetic and has been since she was three.She is now 38.A few weeks ago she changed hospitals and consultant.The new one made some comment to s that she would only live to 50.He has since withdrawn this and says she miscostrued what he was saying.This may be true but it is in Sarah's head.He also sent her to ,what she calls,a "fat" clinic.Not a good idea for low self esteem anyway.Plus as well her usual injections of insulin he gave her tablets which have made her nauseous.He insists she stays on them.She has two little girls and it is hard.We think she is sinking into depression.I am going over to see her tomorrow and hope we can have a good chat and stop her getting worse.Em will be in school and C will take Ru out.She has an appointment with her GP on Weds and hopefully she will let C go with her.

Splah of Colour November

My "Splash of Colour" is about keeping warm and cheerful!
This just one of my "stash" bags.

This what I am making with some of that wool.

And, of course, socks.This is just a selection of what I have made but for my OH the more colourful the better.

Just hope these keep our spirits up during these grey months.

What a glorious day

After a fairly quiet weekend we were back on grandparenting duties again today.Sarah had a training day in school so we had the girls over to us.We took them to Loggerheads Country Park which is about 10 minutes in the car from our house.With their wellies on off we went.

It was such a glorious day and it was "raining " leaves.

It was warm enough for Emily to take her coat off.We collected loads of leaves ,went home sorted them,did wax rubbings etc.Hot dogs for lunch.

Then it was off to the play area.Ruby wearing one of my creations and carrying another.I have made Emm one of the short sleeved cardies in a dusky pink.S was in Next last week and one of the staff asked where she had bought it.I was so chuffed.

A final look at the glorious Autumn colours.


We delivered them back at 4pm after a fun and laughter filled day.