Face the curtain with a bow

We waved off my uncle on his last physical journey today. I never thought I would say this about a day such as this but it has been wonderful. Sure, there were some extremely sad and distressing parts but by and large it has been a truly upbeat celebration of his life.

The fact that the day was the day he himself had planned was reflected in almost everything - the morning get together, the hymns in church, the music at the crematorium, the meal afterwards and the jolly good knees up which we finally left after sharing a good five hours with family and friends - many of whom we don't see anywhere near often enough.

I'm almost embarrassed to say this but my ribs are aching from laughing. The stories, the memories - not just of my uncle but also of my dad. I love to spend time with extended family hearing about my dad - aspects of him which sadly I never knew.

We looked at lots of photographs - including one of me at about four with bunches in my hair and one of those funky crochet waistcoats.

Thankfully Craig coped fine with the children all day and the house wasn't too much of a tip to return to. Seeing how capable he can be when he puts his mind to it I've packed him on off to take Hermione on her first night out for pizza with a friend of the opposite sex - they start young these days you know *grin*

Hot cross buns???

Yes, believe it or not our local supermarket has hot cross buns in. Time to crack open the Easter eggs huh? Give it a couple of weeks and it'll be pumpkins and before you know it Christmas will be here again!






Hermione had a hospital appointment about her hearing today. She had a hearing test a few months ago and failed. The consultant expressed her surprise today that three months ago it would seem Hermione had very significant hearing loss yet today her hearing was well above average. Hermione explained - 'Last time I thought I just had to press the button if I was one hundred percent sure I had heard something - I didn't bother pressing for quiet noises. Today I pressed the button whenever I heard anything.' Arrrrghhh!!!! Never mind, all's well that ends well.


My Amazon orders still haven't arrived so tonight I'm just going to crack on and see what I can do with online resources.

All sing along now....

Well I'm not that much closer to being sorted on the education front but I did stumble across this today and think we will be singing it a lot in coming weeks. Catchy eh? Might not be Simon Cowell's thing but I like it.

Our home ed french group started again today in town. I like it a lot. I get to be child free for a good half an hour, drinking hot chocolate with other mums in a cafe. One of the social highlights of the week.

While in town I picked up three packets of seeds (leeks, peppers and cucumbers) for a pound in The Works - bargain. I now have paving slabs for my greenhouse base organised and it won't be long till Potato Day! The last couple of years I have gone to our local organic gardening group fair to buy my seed potatoes. They offer lots of varieties known to thrive locally and at good prices too. I'm getting there, slowly, on the garden front.

Something else happened today. Craig was on the tv. He was interviewed by Look North (local news) about the credit crunch. He spoke very briefly about banks, commercial loans and government backing. I wasn't really listening to the words - I was just amazed at his incredibly broad northern accent. Oddly enough I don't notice it much usually but perhaps it is time I acknowledge and accepted I'm married to a Geordie.

Well, I've had notification from Amazon that my books have been dispatched so hopefully I'll be in a position to crack on with the education business soon.

Stressed

Every January I tend to have a bit of a stress about something. Thankfully this year it's not the 'get fit and loose weight' kick. I've given up on that one. I start every year with that in mind but it never materialises so I'm not even going to bother thinking about it this year.

So, with the wight loss shenanigans out of the window I've turned my attentions to education and Hermione's desire for more structure. I've had sleepless nights trying figure out what exactly we're doing. Last week I thought I would plan three months in advance. I now think I'll be happy if I have planned a month in advance when we make a start a week tomorrow.

For anyone not interested in home ed I suggest you steer clear of this place for the next few days as I imagine there will be much talk of plans, resources and Amazon orders that seem to take for ever to arrive!

Added to the above I've today had the stress of having to cajole Craig into collecting the greenhouse which I acquired through our local exchange system. He's not a keen gardener and doesn't share my enthusiasm for these things. It took him four hours to take it down in the freezing cold and he returned home rather moany. I reserved sympathy because I find it hard to believe it really did take that long - I think he will have stopped off at McDonalds or somewhere for a skive.

We have moved the hen house to fit in with our greenhouse designs and have advertised on Freecycle for some slabs to put it on. We'll trim some trees back this week and hopefully it will be ready for assembly on his next day off work *grin*.

I asked the kids what I should grow in the greenhouse. Miles suggested melons and Hermione just wondered if it had to be fruit or vegetables - 'Can you not grow something else?' Ahem..like what exactly?

Delays!

We are all ever so excited here eagerly awaiting the arrival of an 'indoor beach' at our local shopping centre, but I've just called the centre to check on progress and have found it's been delayed!

I soon overcame my embarrassment at discussing it with the centre manager when I realised he's just as excited as I am! Apparently there's to be deck chairs, buckets, spades the works...

Bring it on *grin*

The shopping centre started doing this when some of the shops closed down. I guess it's to attract people to go to the few remaining shops. It's sad about businesses closing but I have to say that in this particular instance we really are enjoying the benefits. In December there was an indoor ice rink - all free of charge including skate hire.

Opinions please

Now, it's not often that Craig asks for my assistance when it comes to his business, but he has asked for my views on producing a newsletter for his customers. Since he asks for help so rarely I thought I ought to take his request seriously and put a bit of effort in.

Being chief cook, bottle washer and now business consultant too I thought I'd have a scoot around on line to see if I could find suitable images for the front of a newsletter promoting a laundry - that's the line of business he's in.

So guys, what do you think? Which would be best for promoting a high class laundry and drycleaning service? I want to know what you think - even if only so I can blame you if he doesn't like it *grin*. Perhaps it's time I quit being a home educator and got a job in market research.

Well, we'll kick off with one of Craig at work....

..well, you never know, he may be called Craig - but he's not the Craig I know.

Too earthy?

Too rude?

Too common?

Too retro?

Too saucy?

What do you think? Any possible contenders or do you think I should keep on looking? *grin* Come on now, don't be shy - tell me what you think!

Pink and fluffy

It's New Years Day and the mood is pink and fluffy.

We certainly had pink cheeks after a brisk trot around the marina, a rummage through the lobster pots and pausing to admire the harbour mouth.

A pink flower on a snazzy cap - yes, Nana has had her crochet hook out again.

A pink mantle for the New Year. The colour of calm, quiet and acceptance. Hearts and flowers.

Still lots of candles as we wait for the sun to return to full strength, splashes of red and fiery orange too.

A beautiful card from a friend I once studied with and thought I had lost touch with since she moved miles away.

Flushes of pink as I deliberate whether to start our studies this coming Monday or the Monday after. Flushes of pink as I try to decide if the study of rivers comes under the category of geography or biology. Oh, and then there are the thoughts of all the cool places I hope we will visit on our river studies. Reservoirs, lakes, sea, damns, locks, river mouths, high level trickling streams and more. Have any of you guys ever seen the Severn Bore? I would so like to see that and take Hermione there too. It's been featured on the TV programme 'Coast' a couple of times and it always fascinates me. To be honest the sea totally fascinates me. A friend thinks I'm fascinated by the sea because I know on a certain level that very evolved beings come from the sea - perhaps I think if I hang around long enough on the shore line I might get some sense *grin*.

I suspect we will leave studies till the Monday after as it's my uncle's funeral on Wednesday coming and he has specifically requested and arranged for there to be a big celebration after the formal bits. I think that's cool. I know there is often the obligatory drink and sandwich after a funeral but for someone to make arrangements for a specific venue and itinerary is rather special I feel. An ongoing sense of fun and happiness. A celebration of life, the way he touched our lives and the memories that will live on.

You know what this pink picture reminds me of? Marbled paintings we made and used to back our exercise books with when I was in Mrs Sweeny's class aged nine. Those marble effects have made a lasting impression upon me. So pretty. I know Hermione wants to use exercise books this year and we will - but perhaps we can make really pretty paintings and use them to cover them. Even if they don't inspire her I'm sure they will make lesson time brighter for me.