Knickers

It was the much anticipated Girl Guide Jumble Sale this weekend. We were feeling rather blasé about the whole affair, being old hands and everything. Both us adults were given bric-a-brac tables to sell (I'm sure in the hierarchy of jumble sales thats 'up there'). However, sorting of the jumble needed to be done the evening before.

We got stuck in to the mountain of bin bags, shopping bags and falling apart assortment of cardboard boxes in which people had deposited their preloved treasures. All was going well, the guides all opted to 'sort' the toys, which as far as I could tell was find toys (1 minute), put on table (30 seconds), establish if toy was play-worthy (10 minutes). Their other objective was to retrieve anything  of theirs parents had donated! 

It fell to us sensible adults to properly sort everything else. I attacked the bags with gusto, first I attempted to look at the clothes, fold nicely and place on the table in t-shirt/blouse/skirt/trouser piles (a librarian through and through). This was soon overtaken by the necessity of just one pile, making sure it didn't fall off the table. I reassured myself with thoughts of "oh well, it will all be a mess within five minutes of the doors opening."

With my enthusiasm, and decreased standards, I emptied the next bag of clothes onto the floor for rough sorting purposes. This I instantly regretted. I was greeted with a load of multicoloured undies, bras, pants and socks! Who would donate those?! A Guide, almost as horrified as me, said - people actually buy them as well! She, however, was very un-Guide like and wouldn't help me handle the said garments to pile onto the table. I found a small box which could be used for display purposes and shoved everything into that. Thank goodness for hand sanitizer and availability of counselling around OCD issues.

The bric-a-brac tables looked great. We grabbed some early bargains (staff perks) and the Scout hut looked all set for the onslaught of bargain hunters.

Our bargains included jodhpurs for Maisie, a jug, a nice woollen blanket, and a singing mexican hamster in need of more batteries. NO Knickers; none at all. And the best bit - £270 raised for the Guides.

Highly Strung

Maisie's school Valentines concert

We arrived, we sat near the front, we were excited. Maisie had been keeping the names of the songs a secret.

Not only were the junior choir performing, but also various other instrumental ensembles. During the Junior string - grandma leant over and said - "I'm so glad Maisie is learning the flute." I suspect one to the budding violinists turned over two pages at the same time. 

The percussion band however were excellent, beforehand their teacher did a little talk saying this is the one class where we say, you can have as much fun and make as much noise as you can, unfortunately, the percussionists looked like pale frightened rabbits caught in the headlights in front of such a large audience. They gave us a rousing Sambaesque rendition. The only down side was they were right at the front of the hall, as was the old lady in the wheelchair, and the headmaster. Old lady clutched her ears and cowered in fright during the whole performance, headmaster developed an uncontrollable blink twitch kind of movement every time the snare drum was struck (frequently)

Then it was the turn of the junior choir, about 40 girls, and 10 boys. In they trouped, on the stage they stood, and out came - tunes from the shows - starting with Oliver - a firm family favourite, Maisie gave us a little grin - result. Well worth sitting thorough the string cacophony.

Nailed it

After much hunting for a nail kit, I found a french manicure kit, not for myself you understand, but for Maisie and her friend. £3 from Debenhams, a bargain! Way better than the £25 over the top kit form Argos, and Claire's Accessories - well they could do with a visit from Mary Portas (my new crush - not virtual this time) and one of her retail overhaul sessions where the customer comes first.

Here's the scene - Sheffield high street, lunchtime, very busy, a slightly butch, slightly overweight lesbian enters stage left. Steps into Claire's Accessories, on the look out for a nail art kit. Two assistants, one customer (me). Waiting for a gap in their conversation (banal) "Excuse me, I'm looking for a nail art kit." I thought I'd make light of the situation; "not for me of course." I might have just as well have thrown up on the counter for the look I got. One of them managed a point towards a display on ground level. I creak down with my middle-aged knees to look, fairly hopeful (after having visited Boots and Superdrug  to no avail). I was, however, slightly disappointed as the kit wasn't quite what Maisie had in mind. I expressed my disappointment to the lovely assistant, hoping for some actual care (I was their only customer, after all). Sarcastic voice - "Well, you can go to Boots or Superdrug then". Dismissed. The end. Conversation (still banal) resumed.

The woman in Debenhams was lovely.

Maisie's friend arrived, a great evening watching them play with the Wii, then off to Meadowhall shopping mall the next day - more retail therapy. We enjoyed sushi for lunch, and the girls went off by themselves for an hour (with only a little parental anxiety). They headed straight for Claire's - although I suspect may have fitted the store demographic more than me.

Oh yes - it's been really windy, a tree blew down in the garden, time to get the chainsaw out again.

We escaped

I got up with a determination to get to work, with the idea that the 9.45am train would be the way to do it. All I needed to do was dig the car out. I started at 8 am, I dug, I dug some more, I encountered all the snow the plough had compacted into the side of the car, and the -8 temperatures had turned to ice, at 9.15 am I had the back wheel on the drivers side clear. I phoned work to say it was unlikely I would be in.

With renewed determination fuelled by caffeine and toast, and my Mums help, we set too again and cleared the car. By 10.40 it was free! Cars were travelling gingerly up and down the road, so we thought we would give it a go. Down the road to the Spar, milk, bread, some grit and a few logs for the fire and we were away. Stunning country side. These photos from my phone.

No sledging today, I ache in places you shouldn't from sitting on that dam piece of moulded plastic and propelling myself at speed down a slippery slope.

Day three in the snowed-in house

Well - the photos of Maisie are great!

I look like one of santa's not-so-little helpers, with rosy red cheeks.

Leanne's snow angel experience was not so good, the snow perhaps a little too thick. Looked more like a snow accident than angel.

We have the run down to a fine art now. Only parted company with the sledge a few times.

Inside now in the toasty warm, enjoying a hot coffee with a hint* of rum. More rosy cheeks!

*Editor's note; for 'hint', please read big slosh! - L

It's Showtime

Well, we are back in blighty and normal service will now be resumed. As will the normal English summer weather it would appear - raining, thick fog, and a little bit chilly.

Mad dogs and Englishwomen are going out despite there being no midday sun. Today it was the 65th Annual Froggatt Horticultural Show. I haven't been since I was a revolting teenager, all you got to do at the show back then was admire the vegetables and listen to the brass band. To my delight and surprise, nothing had changed!

OK - they were obviously a few changes, there were old cars to look at, and a few more stalls to amuse, and it was £2 to get in. We cooed over the cabbages, were brought close to tears by the onions, and were amazed at the size of one of the marrows.

L.A.T.C. II (look at the colours (again))

Only three weeks until the longest day. The bluebells are out, and we have had a spell of lovely sunny weather. Walking through the woods in the morning, you are stunned by the carpet of blue created by the bluebells, and the gorgeous aroma, until Chess has done his thing that is.

Saturday, and it's half term. We are off to centreparcs on Monday with Rachel's father. And finally the Lady Gaga concert on Friday. We have had to wait so long Maisie has grown out of her intended outfit, so we had to dedicate Friday (an inset day at school) to shopping and a haircut - all for Maisie. We went in every conceivable shop in Chesterfield, only to return to the first shop we visited, buying the first outfit tried on. It was fun though, Maisie looking very grown up in her outfit (I'll take photos on the night) she is obviously a natural at shopping, must get that from Leanne.

We have a temporary lull in the good weather, and it's raining. We have lit a fire (only 3pm) and the dog has firmly established himself on his bed, the photo is his response to the question "Want a walk Chess?"

Scary sheep, horse chestnuts and sushi

I just love spring, and I particularly love horse chestnut leaves when they first appear, they seem to be hanging out to dry.

We have been frustrated that the nearest sushi outlet is in a shopping mall in Sheffield, and it's very expensive. You can get a dried up version from Tesco, which almost satisfies, but we have decided the best solution is to make it. Maisie and I made a large batch of salmon and avocado sushi rolls and ate the lot - It wouldn't win any sushi good looking prizes but was delicious!

Chess met the scary sheep in Grindleford, he was terrified, and I have to say, I was a little intimidated. It completely beat us in a staring competition and we avoided the path altogether.

Ice to see you

Well the ice has now melted, leaving behind mud! The dog, however, is quite happy as it has revealed a vast array of interesting things to sniff apparently. A 20 minute walk can now take twice as long if he's allowed to have his way. However, I think he misses following the fox tracks in the garden.

It was a treat to go out of the house in town shoes and not be worried about landing face first on the pavement. Also nice to be able to visit the older family members to ensure they had been coping with the weather.

Saw some snow drops yesterday - very exciting, more so was Maisie starting guides. Looked like a lovely group of girls, cant wait to go to camp. Dib dib dib or whatever they say!

The only tarts in Bakewell

Well, we have been in Derbyshire for a couple of weeks, and a trip to Bakewell was long overdue.

We bought a Bakewell pudding, a pork pie (going for the extreme healthy options) and a lottery ticket (non winning type). Bakewell has changed since I were a lass, with the library being in a permanent structure, and boasting a swimming pool. Oh yes, a host of shops selling gorgeous nick nacks that one cant live without.

I was impressed from the outside of a cluster of buildings boasting studio spaces, and a gallery...will need further investigation.

The second hand shop proved fruitful, selling me some lovely napkins and a table cloth, which I will sew all over and convert into masterpieces.

Christmas time, chocolate and wine

Awake at 3.30am, thanks to a jet lagged dog. He decided to have a play, and the tail wagging, knocking on the radiator, reverberated throughout the whole house! At 4am Maisie was discovered staring at her watch, willing it to get to 6am. At 5 am, all in our bed, we relented and the stocking gifts were opened. Even grandma came into the bedroom to see.

Downstairs, chocolate and coffee, and the tree gifts opened. Inspired by the River cottage recipe book, eggy bread (N.B. NOT French toast) was on the menu for breakfast.

Enthusiastic vegetable peeling commenced. Family arrived, and the meal was ready.

Wine was opened, consumed, crackers were pulled, traditional family weirdness ensued!

Maisie and her snowman she made with Grandma

There's no business like snow business

Snow! Maisie loves it, the dog however...not so keen!

Driving up the M1, every now and then Maisie shouted Snow!

We were welcomed by a very snowy Derbyshire. Snowmen building was required on the first day. Sledging and more serious snow people a definite on the second.

Grandma, Maisie and I cut down the Christmas tree grown especially for the purpose. This attracted much attention from a local Robin. It was all pretty magical. Also very hard to believe that me and Maisie had been swimming outside in the Motel pool in Auckland a couple of days previously.