Back to school

 Summer Term - this one will be last one for my very good friend who also happens to be the Head. She’s retiring from education early. Lots of good things planned for the next part of her less stress life. Being brutally honest, I am jealous as hell. I’d also been plotting and planning to reduce my hours and to possibly resign from my sideline post, which I do love and enjoy mostly. I just don’t feel like I can give it my best when the job is to advise schools on strategies to try before permanently excluding pupils- when my cup is full from dealing with different issues entirely at my own school. Anyway, being staff governor I was part of the team, in the process of securing a new Head. Which, I think, she will be an excellent fit and although quite different to the current one, I think she will be brilliant to work with. The big BUT is, I felt it unwise to forge ahead with income reducing for the foreseeable until we see after the settling in period, how she wants the school staff to operate etc. 

Also on the horizon is the  possible devolution of Lancashire County Council which could mean change re pensions and working conditions so for now, against my will, I’m staying put as is, 35 hours and really will change my mindset to thinking I am lucky to have a job in this day and age and maybe all will be well. All the children will return to school having had no major upsets and happenings. 

Although there were two local separate awful fatal road accidents on Easter Sunday  where two families lost an 18 year old and a 14year old and I did actually have a little cry for them when I’d read about it. 

Gosh this is a bit gloomy. 

In other news, yesterday I did a little bit of gardening and tittivated the very end of my garden border. It was where I used to have a giant compost tardis and when we gave that away because I’d got rid of the veg bed and we started the garden waste scheme with the council. Anyway, there was a huge mound of soil at that end and it was used as a bit of a rubbish storage area. So, I dug it out and levelled it. I put some wood in as a bit of an edge to try and prevent the soil spilling onto the path. I used the soil and compost to repot and refill some of my pots and I planted some of the new plants I had got. I also bought some organic wool slug pellets. You put them on the soil, water it and they are supposed to swell and form a mat they they don’t like, apparently. We will see. It stank to high heaven! Maybe it’s the stench that will repel them! 

Bluebell found the smell irresistible. 

I might remove the wood actually and just use the large peppers I have. I am preferring to use pots which might not be best for the plants, but it has deterred the local cats from using my border as a toilet quite well now. And the pots are easier to weed - like a raised bed! 

Next, I will try and move up a bit but as the perennials are starting to come through, I may have to wait now. 

It was our son’s birthday yesterday, can you believe he is now 28! The same age as me haha. I made him a plain Madeira cake with a layer of jam and buttercream and some water icing on top. We had the HG’s Mum round for lunch. Roast pork, roast potatoes and parsnips, steamed carrots and cabbage and broccoli/cauliflower cheese, stuffing, yorkshires, gravy and really good crackling! We had the cake for afters.   I put candles in his cake and we sang but I’d done it for her benefit really. She didn’t know the song, she said but she enjoyed the cake and told the carers when we’d taken her home ( she didn’t know it was her home ) that she’d had a good day out. Saddest part of it all for me was when we were taking her back, she said to Mr 28, nice to meet you today love. Dementia is a cruel thief. He used to spend so much time with his Nanna when small. He’d go for the weekend, she’d take him to the slots on the prom, make his favourite meals, take him to her friends. We still have those memories even if she doesn’t. Nobody really needed or wanted any tea so we relaxed watching the last episode of Vera we’d been saving . Before that, we had a lovely long video call with baby Oliver who we mostly sat watching him play. He’s at that empty all the toys out of the toy box phase, then put them back in and take them out again! He’s very bright and funny to watch. He waved bye bye to us. 

Well, after school, I may settle down to rewatch that last episode of Vera hahaha - I got comfy, snuggled under a blanket as it went cold and promptly fell asleep! 

Right, I best get a wriggle on. Start the day and see what it brings. Hope it’s something good for your tea tonight. We’ve leftovers to have so easy but delicious here! 

Rachel. 

Easter Sunday 2025

 It’s a glorious Sunny but cold morning here. I’ve pegged out the washing and set some more off. I’ve watered the new plants I got at the garden centre - clockwise it’s a Jacob’s Ladder plant, a Honeyberry fruit bush - I went to buy a Blueberry plant - and a honey berry is a type of blueberry. It’s mostly because Oliver loves them. I am very dubious that I will get any fruit in the cold North of England. But it will go in the sunny spot next to the rhubarb. We are going to get the lawn returfed. I’m having  border along the fence and once it’s been painted, I’m planting some controversial black stemmed bamboo to screen the fecking neighbours away a bit. Then I bought another blue bushy thing to go with the one I got last year and some cute anenomes that were 3 for £12. I also bought some wool based slug pellets to try. They ate so many of my new early mini iris bulbs. I was very cross with them. 

I’m with EDF for my gas/electric and they are running a scheme where if you reduce your peak time energy use, you can earn free electric on a Sunday. At first this had me in a frenzy ! It’s very clever to the Marketing Man’s Dream that I am. So for example I had reduced my peak time use enough to earn free electric last Sunday between 8am and 8pm. It makes me think like I’ve won the lottery and it’s going to be like £100s! 

I saved my washing and used the drier a bit. I cooked and we charged ALL the things. I did some baking and hoovered etc 

I think it was £8 tops for the day! Better in my pocket than theirs to be fair 

The only gas thing I have going is the boiler and everything else is electric. I try to be economical with it but peak time they class as 4pm -8pm 

We all get in from work and I will be making the tea - my oven is electric! It’s a fairly new one so is energy efficient and I do use my air fryer when possible. Anyway I am on track so far for four free hours next week. There’s also a refer a friend scheme on a the minute so if anyone wants to switch - they get £50 free electric and so would I ! 

I pulled back the knitting as I’d made an error with the stitch number/wrong needle size and I wasn’t happy with it ( top photo ) but I’m back on track now having restarted it from the beginning, ( bottom photo ) and it’s much neater and correct. The wool is Sirdar crofters - I’ve knit with this brand/style before and in different colour ways. I just really like it! 

I am being a very good diabetic and have not eaten or bought one single Hot Cross Bun. There only me in the house that likes them so I would eat them all but also I don’t really eat any type of bread, gluten free or otherwise anymore as it makes me feel so very poorly. Before the medications, I could seem to override this and eat it anyway despite knowing the ramifications. But now, I have no interest. I won’t be having any Easter Eggs rather except some real ones, gently poached! I’m not even bothered! There is a real bonus to being diabetic as it turns out! 

I have a joint of pork with crackling for the Easter feast, there will be broccoli and cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes and cavelo Nero and carrots and parsnips. I have some lamb in the freezer for another day. 

The HG has put up a new dartboard and we are having fun playing. Well he is. I am shocking at it. Mostly due to my height - so we bought a step for me to stand on haha and my badly arthritic shoulders and pathetic arm strength. I managed a fluke treble 20 the other day and thought I should quit while I’m ahead! We have a good laugh though and I have said we both know who would be answering the questions on that TV show! I’ve not decided what my darts name is yet or what musical anthem I will walk on to! We used to play it years and years ago before children on his old dart board. It used to be on the back of the bedroom door and thanks to how shocking I was - the door looked like it was riddled with woodworm! The new board has a fancy silicone surround however x marks the spot of my very first throw… hahahah

I plan on taking the dog to the shore for a run, go see parents, do some jigsawing, sewing and knitting. 

But first, another coffee. 

Hope you have something good for tea! 

Love Rachel 

Zapping away

 I’m here early morning as per. Bluebell is fast asleep next to me. The HG has been off this week and we’ve been out to her favourite ( mud ) hunting grounds! 

She had a car park shower and got in her dressing gown before we set off to the garden centre for brunch. 

The bluebells were beautiful. 

This is my second week off work. We were thinking of going over to see Daughter and Oliver but she is coming to us the first week of May so everyone is staying put. 

On Monday me and my sister had a very very enjoyable and fun day out! It brought us joy haha  - we first went to the tip with a car load of her stuff to responsible sort and dispose of and then came back for a carload of mine! We then went to that big shop of bargains for the Home and bought some new solar powered pretty lights for our gardens! 

I’ve seen friends, I’ve been out daily. I’ve also been trying some indoor walking little workouts that are not too taxing to improve my level of fitness and stamina. 

I’m sat with my legs being zapped on the Revitive! It’s a great thing you know and I can tell how my leg health has improved. 

Thank you for the comments about the Diabetes. I’ve to book in a blood test for next week so fingers crossed the numbers are still nice and low and under the limit. Although I have eaten a few more sweet things these last 3 months! The medication I am on has altered my taste buds somewhat so chocolate does not taste ‘right’. But I can tolerate the chocolate on those Pick-up biscuits if I have the urge. Yesterday after our walk we went for coffee and brunch - a bacon and sausage bun for the HG, just sausages, no bun for me and Bluebell. I ordered 3, forgetting how huge they are. Should have just had two. One for me, one for her. Another side effect of the medication is that I feel full very quickly - it stops you from overeating too. Anyway I fancied something sweet so bought some ( how much???  ) artisan licorice rock sweets - the type with the bright pink and yellow sweet filling and enjoyed a good handful! Shared them of course with the HG. 

Another great treat for me is some prunes and dates with greek yogurt - love that. I also have a real penchant at the moment for cous cous with roasted veg. Love it. Have bought ready made and have the ingredients to make my own. 

We had friends round for an Indian meal on Friday night. It was really good fun. I made

Tandoori lamb passanda

Chicken tikka masala

Vegetable Balti - cauliflower, butter bean and butternut squash

Pilau rice

Naan bread

Poppaoms ( shop bought ) with dips. 

And for pud? That well known Indian accompaniment - trifle!! I used my fancy tall glass

Trifle dish like they have on the telly, I used up stuff I had in the cupboard and I tried my very best to make it pretty. 

Next time I will use my crystal cut glass trifle bowl that was my Nanna’s as I like it better! 

It was delicious. The Swiss roll was a slightly out of date M&S clotted cream strawberry Swiss roll, slightly out of date strawberry jelly ( Hartleys ), tinned peaches ( in date ) some frozen raspberries and some on the turn strawberries. 

The custard was slightly out of date Birds but I made it with channel island gold jersey milk and double cream and the topping was in date whipped double cream and in date sprinkles! 

It tasted divine. No, sorry, it tasted absolutely divine! 

I’ve been jigsawing, 

started a new knitted waistcoat for Oliver, 

been gardening and the HG has put up our new dartboard. Being the HG it’s got a fancy light and a laser light to shine on the floor where to stand! I’m still rubbish and my first dart went in the wall hahah 

It’s up in the dining room. He’s going to do some joggers pokery today to hide the fixing behind a picture because I said I didn’t want it there permanently on show. 

I’m going to meet my friends today so Bluebell is on Daddy Daycare watch. Am sure have forgotten loads I was going to record. My zapper has finished so I’m off for a shower. Glad I pegged out because the sun is shining nicely now. 

Have a lovely day whatever you are up to. Hope it’s something good for tea tonight xx 

Rachel

Belated birthday Post

 Well everyone, this last 12 months has raced by. It’s been the most wonderful year indeed. 

I am a complete sucker for a chubby cheek! His clever mum made the balloon arch ( something that looked cute but I actually completely disapprove of them - total waste and very unenvironmentally friendly ) but she said the kit had cost her about £3 from an overseas store, four letters, beginning with T ending with a big flightless bird! 

We went up, think I’ve said! Stayed in a hotel this time - Bowes Incline hotel - I gave it a glowing review on that  booking website. 

It’s the school holidays and much R&R is required. I went with my friend yesterday, to deliver her elopement wedding flowers to a lovely couple getting wed at The Cragwood Hotel in Windermere. It was a glorious day. We then strolled the grounds which were lovely. All the daffs were going over but the bluebells are poised to take over. We then went to the Lakeland flagship store for lunch and a gossip. Home to potter about. 

I finished this little keepsake which I am gifting to my friend’s daughter for their first wedding anniversary last week. As you can see, the likeness is uncanny haha. I did match the colour way of flowers and tie the best I could! 

Today I wasn’t planning on doing much except potter about. I may see my friend later on. I do want to garden a bit. I’ve a huge crop of super healthy dandelions that need lifting! We are also going to get a quote from someone about redoing the lawn. Ours is knackered, dippy and muddy and dead in parts. Despite scarifying, reseeding and fertilizing etc it’s time to rethink. I want to put a border down the fence to plant some privacy plants. 

I’ve just read Sooze’s post about her hubby getting older and becoming less able - I feel the same. Plus we will be helping the local economy. 

This wad Windermere. Beautiful clear day. 

Have just ordered some new bedroom curtains that the HG can put up at the weekend. I might start knitting something today as it’s been a while. 

I’ve just finished listening to Bob Mortimer The Satsuma Complex. 10/10 

Very funny and a great plot twist! 

I’m now halfway through this one, and I am enjoying it as much as the first one. 

I’m just now sat with my second frothy coffee of the day in the garden.

I’ve done loads of weeding, Repotted  this plant I’ve been promising to do for ages.

I need to reassess the peony beds too. Think they a little overcrowded as the plants seem quite petite this year. My shoulders are hurting already. Will double up on pain relief before bed. When this weather is warm, it’s lovely. It then soon goes chilly! Cloudless skies! 

It is time to go in now. I’ve a tricksy little jigsaw on the table - I find though, it is a real time stealer! Luckily I’ve got time! 

Have a lovely evening, hope it’s something good for tea at yours. 

Rachel