That all sounds most couth, NEQ, and glad you had a good time with North East Mum.
Reasonable congregation at St Pete's this morning, and as some of the church ladies are having a takeaway curry this evening, I pootled along to the corner shop after church to get some BEER to drink with it.
Laundry is laundering, and brunch will ensue shortly, followed by snoozage; that early night didn't happen as I dozed off on the sofa and next thing I knew it was nearly one o'clock ...
@Sarasa There's only one thing to do with life size statues.
My university housemate had previously lived in a Catholic community house. They had a life size statue of the sacred heart of Jesus. Did it become a coat stand? Why yes, yes it did.
Another quiet day in Arkland the Chilly, where the Mordor-wind is blowing (but not very hard, the Valar be praised - I think Sauron must be asleep).
GAMMON STEAK n'CHIPS for Luncheon, if I can raise enough energy to totter to the Dragon, put the Chips in him, and then lift the Frying-Pan in order to cook the Gammon. I shall season the Gammon with a smear of Mustard.
I went to my Pilates class this morning, coming home via the supermarket to buy some soup for lunch and an extra vegetable to add the remains of last night's dinner ( a sort of pasta bake using 'tofu wings' instead of pasta). No chance to play table tennis or badminton as we usually do, as they use the sports hall for a children's club during half-term.
It's actually sunny, so after lunch I did twenty minutes of gardening, and am now , in theory, trying to edit my contribution to my writing club's latest project.
Hazy Sun Shine today in Arkland the Nearly-Vernal, after a distinctly chilly night. Despite having several layers of nightwear upon my person, I was still cold, until I bethought me of the bright red Snood, knitted for me by a friend's daughter a couple of Yuletides ago. I duly donned it, and became much snugger...
Lunch is the second of the pair of GAMMON STEAKS, which has to be eaten by today. I will have some Apple Sauce with it, and some CHIPS. Also BEER.
Shirts have been laundered, Rubbish put out (Neighbour S kindly takes it to the Compound of the Paladins for me), and the Monday Expotition to Tess Coe has also been accomplished (O! what an exciting life I lead!). The store was busy, because half-term, but not unduly so, and the Nice Checkout Lady kindly packed my bags for me.
Restage this afternoon and evening, as it's Pilates day tomorrow. Deep Joy...
I think our half-term continues into next week, for some schools, at least. In My Day, half-term was a Friday and (if we were lucky) the following Monday...
No wonder the kids leave skool unable to read, rite, speel, or do rithmetic.
I think our half-term continues into next week, for some schools, at least. In My Day, half-term was a Friday and (if we were lucky) the following Monday...
Yes, I remember those days... The schools in these parts are on half term this week.
I've been doing domestics today and I'm hosting my real life book club here this evening so need to get cooking soon. The white wine went into the fridge this morning. I'm doing bolognese sauce with jacket potatoes which of course calls for red, but one of our number Doesn't Drink Red. Is Outrage (but all the more red for those of us who do).
It's been dull and grey and cold for most of today but in the last hour the sky has gone a strange colour you might almost describe as pale blue and things are illuminated by an unearthly goldish sort of glow. Any insights into what this phenomenon might be are welcome.
Ah, the flowered pinny - even the flowered housework coat which, I came to the conclusion this morning (as I splashed my trousers while vigorously cleaning the downstairs cloakroom), is slightly more sensible than I ever gave it credit for. Wrinkled stockings and slippers will complete the look.
It's a fortnight in France, although the school day here is longer than in the UK (8:30 am to 4:30 pm for primary school). Ours started today, not that we did anything much except venture forth to Lidl.
Tomorrow we are going to the cinema to watch Paddington Bear. We're going to see it in English, so I'll be interested to see how many children are there.
Cold and sunny here, with frost on the ground. I have had the usual Monday morning of admin and emails, followed by an afternoon of marking.
Just looked in the fridge and the bacon needs using up so it will be a mushroom risotto topped with egg and bacon.
My posh school had a short half term but half terms have been a week in the State sector since at least the early 1970s. I thought I was old!
Having all school holidays comprising complete weeks as far as possible became normal during the 1970s. This was apparently based on research that this change reduced the amount of "casual" truancy associated with requiring attendance on only two or three days in a particular week.
Half term here was last week; when I was at school (hundreds of years ago), we didn't get a break in February at all. We had what was locally called the Tattie holidays in October (during which country children were presumably expected to pick such tubers from the ground); when I started school I think it was just a Friday and Monday, but it had stretched out to a week by the time I left (in 1980).
A colleague told me that the reason for the February half-term being extended was so that the children of the affluent could be taken skiing.
Although I was expecting today to be scarily busy, it ended up being, like Goldilocks' porridge, Just Right; I typed my last full stop on the stroke of 5 o'clock.
Supper was pasta with prawns, smoked salmon and veggies.
My sister's (posh, private) school had half-days for things like Ascension Day. Although that was at a time when most mothers tended to be at home during the day, it seems ridiculous seeing that many of the girls lived at a distance from the school. My sister had to walk to the station (about 10 minutes), catch a train (30 minutes, and they ran at best once per hour) and then had another 15 minute walk at the other end. Half-holidays perhaps make some sense in boarding schools, but I think this only had day girls.
Hosting, and having a clean and tidy house and a few nibbles for a Book Club is as much as I would want to do, not cooking a main meal.
It's hard work for the hostess, but then you get a break of several months when it's someone else's turn. Glad that's the case for me now for a while.
The exception is one member who loves to host and usually goes to town on the whole occasion. I for one feel the pressure of that. She isn't well so didn't make it this evening.
I've felt ready to crawl into bed from about 8.30, and now everyone's gone home I'm planning to do just that.
Frost here in the south east the last few mornings.
Attended the big church in town/city with the parentals - high quality visiting choir directed by someone who's name I've heard of (on radio 3).
Been doing things to help the elderly folk.
Mrs Twang taking the littlest twanglet to the cinema today (dog man I think) whilst I continue ing this morning.
Viewing my sisters potential new house this afternoon.
Meal out with family and godmother this evening as a delayed silver wedding commemoration
Very chilly here but sunny. My husband has volunteered me for a video shoot he's doing this afternoon, so rather annoyingly I won't have time to go to the line dancing class I went to last week. I'm going to be a puzzled householder asking about the benefits of solar panels etc.
Before then I need to crack on and sort out my story for my creative writing group.
No. 4 in the series of Things the Quine Has Had Explained to Her by Her Recently Retired Husband How To Hold a Phone and Talk Simultaneously. Apparently the way I have held my phone for, ooohh, the last 15 years is Wrong because I risk cutting myself off mid-call. The fact that I have never actually cut myself off mid-call is not relevant. I have a sub-optimal phone-holding technique.
I was on the phone to our solicitors, to make an appointment to update our Wills. My father-in-law died in 2017, but the NE Man's busy work schedule has meant that it is only now that he has retired that we have time to replace my late father-in-law as executor with someone who will actually be able to do it without the aid of a ouija board.
The receptionist seem to enjoy listening in to the NE Man's explanation of How To Hold A Phone. I suspect it will be all round the office by the end of the day.
@North East Quine I think you should have doubts about other things you've been doing, which can only be resolved by him showing you the proper way. Things like cleaning the loo, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, doing laundry, shopping, cooking, washing up, taking out rubbish, changing beds, gardening etc. These are all complex activities and will require multiple demonstrations.
@North East Quine I think you should have doubts about other things you've been doing, which can only be resolved by him showing you the proper way. Things like cleaning the loo, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, doing laundry, shopping, cooking, washing up, taking out rubbish, changing beds, gardening etc. These are all complex activities and will require multiple demonstrations.
You are evil, Firenze, and I mean that as a compliment!
I should probably have had phone-holding lessons earlier as I have a terrible tendency to put people on hold with my ear....
@North East Quine I think you should have doubts about other things you've been doing, which can only be resolved by him showing you the proper way. Things like cleaning the loo, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, doing laundry, shopping, cooking, washing up, taking out rubbish, changing beds, gardening etc. These are all complex activities and will require multiple demonstrations.
We each do our own laundry, and as we have separate bedrooms, each change our own beds. And he does take out the rubbish. I think his explanation for some other household tasks is not to bother, as there are fairies who do it.
@North East Quine I think you should have doubts about other things you've been doing, which can only be resolved by him showing you the proper way. Things like cleaning the loo, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, doing laundry, shopping, cooking, washing up, taking out rubbish, changing beds, gardening etc. These are all complex activities and will require multiple demonstrations.
That reminds me of a friend from many years ago who admitted that in the early days of her marriage, she had in full knowledge ironed a double crease into her husband's trousers, thus ensuring she never had to press them again...
@North East Quine I think you should have doubts about other things you've been doing, which can only be resolved by him showing you the proper way. Things like cleaning the loo, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, doing laundry, shopping, cooking, washing up, taking out rubbish, changing beds, gardening etc. These are all complex activities and will require multiple demonstrations.
We each do our own laundry, and as we have separate bedrooms, each change our own beds. And he does take out the rubbish. I think his explanation for some other household tasks is not to bother, as there are fairies who do it.
Ah yes, Mr F also believes in fairies, particularly the Laundry Fairy, the Cleaning Fairy and the Return Mugs, Plates and Glasses to the Kitchen Fairy.
@North East Quine You remind me of my friend J. It was only when he retired that her husband asked Do we send Christmas cards? As she said, why on earth did he think all these people said Thank you for your card if they didn't? Her reaction to coming back after a couple of days away to discover that he had "put into some sort of order" her kitchen cupboards was less than enthusiastic - her sons still remember it as the day they discovered that mum could swear like a navvy 😈😂🤣
If I'd done as much mansplaining to the former Mrs BFs (there were two, but not at the same time) as the NE Man seems to do, I would not be alive today to tell the tale...
A day of Sun Shine in Arkland the Golden, and a productive one. Pilates (a good session - not too many aches and pains either before or after), a visit to a newly-refurbished Co-Op (O! the thrill !) which is larger than our local village store, Lunch (Salmon Fillets again, because eat-by date), and the fitting of Cushions into new covers, which are of a light and pleasing pink shade. I need several Cushions on my Chair, as I am somewhat bony in the Fundament.
No need to venture on shore again for a day or two, so, if this fine weather continues, I may just try to do a little bit of patch-painting on that part of the starboard side of the Ark which had to be left scruffy last year...
The NE Man has a pure wool jumper which was a present from his late mother. He loves that jumper. I do not love the jumper, which is hand-wash-with-care, reshape-and-dry flat. But I recognise that he loves it and I launder it with care. I dry it by laying it out carefully on a bath towel, laying another bath towel on top, then rolling it up. After a day, when the towels have absorbed most of the wet, I lay it out carefully on a fresh bath towel and roll that up. (This of course generates a full machine load of wet towels). Then I finish it off lying flat on a drying rack.
Some time ago, when he was wearing it, I asked him how old it was, exactly. I knew he'd had it for over 30 years, but I wasn't sure how much over 30 years old it was.
He told me, and then said he thought it was a magic jumper. Do you know, he said, that in all the decades I have had this jumper, no matter how much I wear it, it never gets dirty? I've been wearing it for over thirty years and in all that time it's never been washed, and yet it's not dirty or smelly. I think the wool has some special coating, because even if I do get it dirty, the dirt just vanishes.
He was quite crestfallen to be told that his magic jumper was not, in fact, magic, and that it had been washed regularly over the years.
Given a choice between
a) I own a magic jumper and
b) My wife washes my jumper
a) had seemed the more obvious and logical answer.
The Paddington film was cheesy but quite worthwhile entertainment. We watched it in English, with other little anglophones (definitely an American family in front of us).
I am running alarmingly short on tea, until my parents arrive in a couple of weeks. My usual supplier (the Sri Lankan corner shop) was closed last time I went there, so I decided to take a punt on the tea in the Lebanese shop. The packet's all written in Arabic, so I don't know exactly what's in it (the only bit I could read said nothing more specific than "black Kenya tea") but it's not bad.
@North East Quine , I love your stories about your husband and life in general. You ought to write a book.
I've not been out of the house all day, apart from to stagger down the garden to the compost bins. I did do a bit of filming for my husband with the guy that had come to do the energy survey. Neither of us were impressed with the script we'd been given, so we ad-libbed. I have also done some knitting, and re-worked the story for my writing group. My husband liked it, but I'm afraid he isn't exactly a fierce critic of my work. @Bishops Finger I have aches from my Pilates class yesterday. He had us doing reverse planks which always makes my upper arms ache the next day.
@Sarasa - it's my legs and hip flexors that have to be worked on each week, my arms and general upper body strength being very good, considering my great age...
I usually feel tired on Tuesdays, but OK on Wednesdays, with DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) sometimes occurring on Thursdays. It is what it is, and one works around (or with) it.
Eye test today, new glasses chosen, costing an arm and a leg as usual ( but not as much as a local firm has quoted me to repair my front steps.)
Passing the funeral director’s place I noticed that they are offering to be a Safe Space for anyone who needs it, to wait for a bus or taxi or just to keep warm. Slightly odd place to wait, I thought, but they are a lovely family firm. They did Mr Puzzler’s funeral actually. My bus came straightaway, so I didn’t need to wait.
Comments
Reasonable congregation at St Pete's this morning, and as some of the church ladies are having a takeaway curry this evening, I pootled along to the corner shop after church to get some BEER to drink with it.
Laundry is laundering, and brunch will ensue shortly, followed by snoozage; that early night didn't happen as I dozed off on the sofa and next thing I knew it was nearly one o'clock ...
My university housemate had previously lived in a Catholic community house. They had a life size statue of the sacred heart of Jesus. Did it become a coat stand? Why yes, yes it did.
I was taught that a casserole is cooked in the oven, and a stew on the stove top.
GAMMON STEAK n'CHIPS for Luncheon, if I can raise enough energy to totter to the Dragon, put the Chips in him, and then lift the Frying-Pan in order to cook the Gammon. I shall season the Gammon with a smear of Mustard.
It's actually sunny, so after lunch I did twenty minutes of gardening, and am now , in theory, trying to edit my contribution to my writing club's latest project.
Lunch is the second of the pair of GAMMON STEAKS, which has to be eaten by today. I will have some Apple Sauce with it, and some CHIPS. Also BEER.
Shirts have been laundered, Rubbish put out (Neighbour S kindly takes it to the Compound of the Paladins for me), and the Monday Expotition to Tess Coe has also been accomplished (O! what an exciting life I lead!). The store was busy, because half-term, but not unduly so, and the Nice Checkout Lady kindly packed my bags for me.
Restage this afternoon and evening, as it's Pilates day tomorrow. Deep Joy...
Our isn't till next week.
No wonder the kids leave skool unable to read, rite, speel, or do rithmetic.
I've put out the various bins and boxes, cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, and will now sit and knit quietly.
Later on I shall make shepherds' pie and bread and butter pudding for dinner.
I must find a flowered pinny to wear.
I've been doing domestics today and I'm hosting my real life book club here this evening so need to get cooking soon. The white wine went into the fridge this morning. I'm doing bolognese sauce with jacket potatoes which of course calls for red, but one of our number Doesn't Drink Red. Is Outrage (but all the more red for those of us who do).
It's been dull and grey and cold for most of today but in the last hour the sky has gone a strange colour you might almost describe as pale blue and things are illuminated by an unearthly goldish sort of glow. Any insights into what this phenomenon might be are welcome.
Ah, the flowered pinny - even the flowered housework coat which, I came to the conclusion this morning (as I splashed my trousers while vigorously cleaning the downstairs cloakroom), is slightly more sensible than I ever gave it credit for. Wrinkled stockings and slippers will complete the look.
Tomorrow we are going to the cinema to watch Paddington Bear. We're going to see it in English, so I'll be interested to see how many children are there.
Just looked in the fridge and the bacon needs using up so it will be a mushroom risotto topped with egg and bacon.
Having all school holidays comprising complete weeks as far as possible became normal during the 1970s. This was apparently based on research that this change reduced the amount of "casual" truancy associated with requiring attendance on only two or three days in a particular week.
A colleague told me that the reason for the February half-term being extended was so that the children of the affluent could be taken skiing.
Although I was expecting today to be scarily busy, it ended up being, like Goldilocks' porridge, Just Right; I typed my last full stop on the stroke of 5 o'clock.
Supper was pasta with prawns, smoked salmon and veggies.
It's hard work for the hostess, but then you get a break of several months when it's someone else's turn. Glad that's the case for me now for a while.
The exception is one member who loves to host and usually goes to town on the whole occasion. I for one feel the pressure of that. She isn't well so didn't make it this evening.
I've felt ready to crawl into bed from about 8.30, and now everyone's gone home I'm planning to do just that.
Our treat for Boogielet2 as he's been helping Mr Boogs put up our new fence all day. 8 panels. (The old one blew down in the storm).
Frost here in the south east the last few mornings.
Attended the big church in town/city with the parentals - high quality visiting choir directed by someone who's name I've heard of (on radio 3).
Been doing things to help the elderly folk.
Mrs Twang taking the littlest twanglet to the cinema today (dog man I think) whilst I continue ing this morning.
Viewing my sisters potential new house this afternoon.
Meal out with family and godmother this evening as a delayed silver wedding commemoration
Before then I need to crack on and sort out my story for my creative writing group.
Cold here but brighter than of late. I'm out for lunch and seeing another friend this afternoon.
I was on the phone to our solicitors, to make an appointment to update our Wills. My father-in-law died in 2017, but the NE Man's busy work schedule has meant that it is only now that he has retired that we have time to replace my late father-in-law as executor with someone who will actually be able to do it without the aid of a ouija board.
The receptionist seem to enjoy listening in to the NE Man's explanation of How To Hold A Phone. I suspect it will be all round the office by the end of the day.
You are evil, Firenze, and I mean that as a compliment!
I should probably have had phone-holding lessons earlier as I have a terrible tendency to put people on hold with my ear....
We each do our own laundry, and as we have separate bedrooms, each change our own beds. And he does take out the rubbish. I think his explanation for some other household tasks is not to bother, as there are fairies who do it.
That reminds me of a friend from many years ago who admitted that in the early days of her marriage, she had in full knowledge ironed a double crease into her husband's trousers, thus ensuring she never had to press them again...
Ah yes, Mr F also believes in fairies, particularly the Laundry Fairy, the Cleaning Fairy and the Return Mugs, Plates and Glasses to the Kitchen Fairy.
Fair division of labour, I think.
Some of those fairies would be welcome tho!
A day of Sun Shine in Arkland the Golden, and a productive one. Pilates (a good session - not too many aches and pains either before or after), a visit to a newly-refurbished Co-Op (O! the thrill !) which is larger than our local village store, Lunch (Salmon Fillets again, because eat-by date), and the fitting of Cushions into new covers, which are of a light and pleasing pink shade. I need several Cushions on my Chair, as I am somewhat bony in the Fundament.
No need to venture on shore again for a day or two, so, if this fine weather continues, I may just try to do a little bit of patch-painting on that part of the starboard side of the Ark which had to be left scruffy last year...
Some time ago, when he was wearing it, I asked him how old it was, exactly. I knew he'd had it for over 30 years, but I wasn't sure how much over 30 years old it was.
He told me, and then said he thought it was a magic jumper. Do you know, he said, that in all the decades I have had this jumper, no matter how much I wear it, it never gets dirty? I've been wearing it for over thirty years and in all that time it's never been washed, and yet it's not dirty or smelly. I think the wool has some special coating, because even if I do get it dirty, the dirt just vanishes.
He was quite crestfallen to be told that his magic jumper was not, in fact, magic, and that it had been washed regularly over the years.
Given a choice between
a) I own a magic jumper and
b) My wife washes my jumper
a) had seemed the more obvious and logical answer.
Living with a genius never fails to surprise.
You must love him very much!
I am running alarmingly short on tea, until my parents arrive in a couple of weeks. My usual supplier (the Sri Lankan corner shop) was closed last time I went there, so I decided to take a punt on the tea in the Lebanese shop. The packet's all written in Arabic, so I don't know exactly what's in it (the only bit I could read said nothing more specific than "black Kenya tea") but it's not bad.
I guess I must.
I've certainly never met anyone I'd rather be married to.
I could do with NE Man's explanation of how not to cut people off on your mobile though - I do it all the time!
Very slow day at work today - it'll doubtless be made up for tomorrow ...
Chickie frickie is very nearly ready - and, pace Nen, there should be enough for tomorrow, so I'll be having it on Wednesday.
That really is a most lovely thing to say...!
I've not been out of the house all day, apart from to stagger down the garden to the compost bins. I did do a bit of filming for my husband with the guy that had come to do the energy survey. Neither of us were impressed with the script we'd been given, so we ad-libbed. I have also done some knitting, and re-worked the story for my writing group. My husband liked it, but I'm afraid he isn't exactly a fierce critic of my work.
@Bishops Finger I have aches from my Pilates class yesterday. He had us doing reverse planks which always makes my upper arms ache the next day.
I usually feel tired on Tuesdays, but OK on Wednesdays, with DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) sometimes occurring on Thursdays. It is what it is, and one works around (or with) it.
Passing the funeral director’s place I noticed that they are offering to be a Safe Space for anyone who needs it, to wait for a bus or taxi or just to keep warm. Slightly odd place to wait, I thought, but they are a lovely family firm. They did Mr Puzzler’s funeral actually. My bus came straightaway, so I didn’t need to wait.