Birthday

Yesterday went well, and I had a good time all round.  We did notice that people were missing, but we were ok.  The EFG participated in the afternoon visit of the relatives because we had her on a video call using Google Hangout, and we sat the tablet on the shelf so that she could see and hear what was going on!  She also had an individual quick word with everyone who came, which amused the "oldies".  

My cousin brought a large Tesco chocolate cake, and the YFG made a special coffee and walnut sponge for me whilst I was out in the morning at the chapel.  

So we had the two of us, my dad, and his partner, MB.  Then my late mum's two brothers, UJ and P, P's wife and daughter, and daughter's husband!  A neighbour and her daughter popped round with a wee gift and card for me, so they stayed for tea and cake as well, which was a lovely added extra.  

Dad and MB and UJ stayed a while longer than the others, then Dad and MB left, and UJ had a sandwich and watched the One Man and His Dog competition on Countryfile, before he left as well. In the evening, I was able to sit and watch Downton in peace.

The EFG sent me a Moonpig mug with some photos of us all on it, and the YFG wrapped up a couple of things I had bought for myself - a copy of the latest Jack Reacher novel, Personal, and a new Bible. Some would say that the Jack Reacher novel was far from frugal, but hey!  If I can't reap the benefits of being frugal and have a wee splurge now and again, when can I?!  To me, it is a good buy because it will be read time and time again - I love to read and re-read because I always notice something different each time and find myself reading an ever so slightly different story, but that is just me.  Hardback books are an investment to me, and I usually buy Lee Child and Phillipa Gregory in hardback, because I know that I will get my money's worth!!

My sister sent a parcel with UJ, and it was a lovely cloth bag and a diary.  The neighbour brought a scented candle which was a lovely thought, and I was appreciative.  

I have managed to work the allotted three hours today and had a good selection of calls answered!  Just on the day when my voice would have appreciated people not answering their phones, it seemed as if every other person I called was in and chatty - never mind, it is good for business, I suppose.  The throat isn't too sore tonight, but I am off to have a bath and read some more Jack Reacher soon.

In the kitchen this week

There's a certain amount of repetition going on at the moment as we are clearing out the freezers a little!  As long as they are meals we like, we don't mind.....

Today we are having cold chicken left over from the weekend's roast chook, served with some rice and veggies.

Tuesday will be sausages, with mash and veg.  We do have a vast supply of sausages at present.  I can see them looming large every week for a while.

Wednesday we'll have some fish: the YFG may well have fish in batter and I love river cobbler.

Thursday night, after working after the piano lesson, the YFG can zap some lasagne and I will just have a snack.

Friday night will be a Cottage pie that I am going to try to make earlier in the day so that we can just ding it when we get home from gymnastics.

Saturday night the YFG is babysitting but I don't yet know what time, so it'll have to be something quick and easy......

and Sunday?  Haven't quite got there yet!  A freezer rummage will be due before then.....

Hope you all have a good week. I am going to attempt to work this morning for a while but if folk can't hear what I am saying, I may have to have a break and try again later.  I feel not too bad, but I have lost a lot of voice - not good for telephone work!

One of the FH's favourites

The FH used to say that I got lucky because this lovely lady wasn't available.  She was one of his favourite television actresses, and he was guaranteed to want to watch anything [apart from Loose Women] that she was in.  Lynda Bellingham has had a stage and screen career over many decades, and I have read the sad news that she has terminal cancer.  Our thoughts are with her and her family, as they hope to enjoy Christmas together this year, perhaps for the last time.

She was the second actress to play Christopher Timothy/James Herriot's wife, Helen.

(image from cinemaparadiso.co.uk)

She played the long-suffering mother of the Oxo family for many years, and she was brilliant!  We all eagerly waited for a "new" snapshot into their lives.

(image from theguardian.com)

She was awarded an OBE this year for an acting career of over 40 years - what an achievement!

(image from itv.com)

Morning comes around again!

I woke up several times in the night with a throat feeling as if it was full of razor blades, but this morning it does feel a little better but still sore.....a morning at gym will be a challenge - perhaps I shall develop my own sign language for forward rolls, cartwheels and handstands!  I have broken out a jar of special Jarra honey from Australia that a friend gave me the last time I had a cold, and it tastes like treacle, certainly very soothing for the throat.

The EFG sent me a very special parcel yesterday for my birthday tomorrow.  She asked the YFG to video me opening it, which we did when the YFG came home from school yesterday - but now the file is too big to email to her - whoops!  The gift is a Moonpig mug, and she has decorated it with pictures of all the family, including one of her with the FH when she was a baby!  I shall treasure it, but I SHALL use it - it won't just be put on a shelf and admired.

Tomorrow afternoon the Lincolnshire relatives are descending, and bringing food for a birthday tea, so I shall be spoiled!

Off to gym this morning - hope you all have a good day.  I am just about to hang out the first load of washing, as apparently it will stay dry today, fingers crossed!

Good news and bad

Good news - we raised just about £130 for Macmillan this morning - very pleased.  Not so good - I've been sneezing like mad all day and have got a horrible cold :(

It's MACMILLAN day today

(image from thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)

All my baking is ready to go and we are having a Macmillan Coffee Morning at the chapel today. All the ladies who usually Knit and Natter will be bringing their friends and having some lovely baking and raising money for Macmillan's cause.  I have been doing this for quite a few years now, and we usually raise in the region of £100, which is good for a little chapel get-together.  I do it in memory of my lovely mum, who died of cancer in 1998.  If you know of a Coffee Morning in your local area, I would encourage you to pop in and support them.

Answers

I have no doubt that God speaks to us, if we care to listen.

I was feeling a little miserable on Tuesday evening about this new job, as I am finding it a very steep learning curve, and I am having to be corrected, which doesn't sit too easy at this stage; rationally, I know that I am doing OK and the mentor to whom I have been assigned has been positive about what I am doing, but it still rankles a little that she has to correct me sometimes.

Tuesday night I went to bed, determined to find some things about the job to be thankful for, and I did.  I reminded myself that this was the job I had asked for, prayed for, and looked for.  It almost dropped in my lap.  I wanted part time work [yes], at home if at all possible or at least locally [yes], I wanted to start in September [yes] and I needed some flexibility [got that too].



Then, yesterday morning, the YFG went out of the door to catch the bus, and came back 10 minutes later looking more like a drowned rat and slightly tearful, saying that she couldn't go to school all wet like this and had missed the bus now.  We scurried about and she found some dry clothes and shoes, and we went off to school in the car.  Halfway there, she said she was sorry that she'd put me to the bother.  I told her not to be daft, and that that was the point of me taking the job, so that I could be at home for her when she needed me - I just started work at 9.30am instead of 9am.  It was as if I was reminding Myself that that was the point, too!

God spoke powerfully yesterday and showed me that this is a temporary job, perhaps just for a couple of years, but it is one that I can be good at eventually.  However, I need to learn to TAKE direction again, to be humble and to learn to follow someone else's rules - I have been used to leading and making the rules, answering to no one particularly in some areas of my life, and God has gently shown me that this is a learning curve in more ways than one.