A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Mrs_Chip

Oh yes Mar, another favourite!

GreyQueen

fuddle wrote: »

My mind is racing now kidcat but so relieved that DS is going to get the schooling he needs. And well done that man for sorting out going back to work. Lets hope your shoulders feel a little lighter in the coming weeks.

I have never heard of The Owl Service

It's by Alan Garner, I suppose you would call it Young Adult rather than Childrens fiction. It's about three youngsters in Wales, 2 boys and a girl, and how they somehow end up triggering an echo of a love-triangle from Welsh myth. Ooops, that's a poor pitch; trust me it's deserevedly regarded as a classic.

I also adored Rosemary Sutcliff's historical fiction and read MT and Chalet School but can't remember much about them.

VJsmum wrote: »

The garden is going to have to fend for itself while I am away - I ought to try to weed a little before I go. My runner beans are at the top of their poles (sorry, GQ ) but something has been at my borlotti beans. I have about 3 strawberries and a few more tomato flowers and one cucumber. My potatoes though are going nuts!

Right I'll have a wander round the web and turn in for the night. S'laters all

:p:p I've got loads of strawberries, nyah nyah na na nyah! But my tallest runner bean is only 3 feet tall and.....AND two of the existing transplants had been murdered by the blasted slugs. Eaten down to nubbins. I have never had such a struggle to get runners going. But I have killed 4 of the perpetrators (one was found crawling near the beans, sniggering probably) with the trowel. I have also sunk 2 plant saucers filled with cheap beer into the ground beside the beans and hope that the slug pubs will attract and kill the boogers.

smileyt wrote: »

Vivaladiva you do know you're not allowed to go back to lurkdom now, don't you? I'm sure Greyqueen will be along soon to demand tea. I've just made myself a brew so you are excused from making tea for me .... .

You know me so well. Welcome aboard the aardvark, Vivaladiva. Mine's tea, milk no sugar, ta muchly.:p

OOOff, I can't a moment longer, I shall have to put the kettle on myself. Honestly, you just can't get the staff: Nurrrsssseeee!!!!!

vivaladiva

Quote:
Originally Posted by smileyt
Vivaladiva you do know you're not allowed to go back to lurkdom now, don't you? I'm sure Greyqueen will be along soon to demand tea. I've just made myself a brew so you are excused from making tea for me .... .

You know me so well. Welcome aboard the aardvark, Vivaladiva. Mine's tea, milk no sugar, ta muchly.:p

Tea up. Cake anyone?

grandma247

Mardatha I read that to my youngest earlier this year. I have no idea how I missed that and the other Phillipa Pearce books. I read a dog so small when I was at school and loved it.

Fuddle I liked the poncho. What a good idea.

I haven't put any winter clothes away except my long heavy coat. It is still cool enough some days to wear winter weight jumpers.

Evie74_2

Hello everyone!

Sorry for being awol over the past week - it's been one thing after another Chez Evie this week and I haven't managed to get onto MSE at all!:eek:

I have missed loads of posts so while DH is settling down in front of the TV this evening I shall try and do some catching up. I hope all is well with you all - ((hugs)) to anyone in need.

I've felt pretty in need myself this week. I had my annual appraisal at work - it didn't go too badly, but I didn't get the promotion I'd hoped for, and my boss didn't seem that forthcoming with advice/assistance/enthusiasm about the future. He basically made my feel like they just want me to carry on doing the same thing, for the same low pay, for evermore. So I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself.

I came home that day and had a quick look at alternative jobs - there was a vacancy for what I thought would be the perfect job, closer to home. I have all the qualifications and over 10 years' experience in the area they were asking for so I applied - and didn't even get an interview.:( They weren't interested in even meeting me because I can really only work part time at the moment, and they are looking for full timers only. DH says (and I know that he's right really) that if the company is that inflexible it would be better not to work for them in the first place, but my confidence has had a major knock.:( I think I probably need to develop a thicker skin, but I've been out of the job market for so long I'm not used to rejection!

So a pretty depressing week here, I'm afraid. I need to give myself a shake and get on with it.

As I say, hope all is well with everyone else - look forward to catching up with all your news.

Evie xx

Byatt

MMLS wrote: »

Hello Byatt
I've been lurking on this thread since it's beginning but first time to post. Yesterday I sorted through all my craft magazines ready to give away/recycle, one of the reasons being I'm no longer interested in card making. There's several new things I want to have a go at and a few more at which I want to become more skilled - I always seem to start things, get to mediocre level then move on to something else Napkin decoupage falls in the new things to try camp and I've got as far as youtube - several good vids on there eg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McXbUS0twUo&list=FLow3cu47c0S3zzjI3DZNz7A&index=3&feature=plpp_video and I found a fantastic site selling thousands of different napkins. I'm sure you can get the Mod podge (or similar) from many places but they do sell it on Amazon if you're interested. I've got a couple of bits of furniture that I want to try this technique on but want to get old crafting stuff disposed of and make some room first I'd love to know how you get on.

Hi MMLS, could you post the link for the napkin site please? I've just ordered 4 napkins through fleabay in a Kath Kid$on design as that should be enough for the small project and if it goes well I will have 2 bigger pieces of furniture. I got some primer and sealer recommended on the shabby chic thread. I am not crafty especially only because I haven't given time to it, but want to use my creative side and see what happens.

I have decoupaged the top of a pine chest with old music sheets and it looks ok...so I have some mod podge but need a bigger pot!

I shall have a look at the vids and will take some before and after pics to post.

I think with the napkins you can choose so many lovely ones and although I love fabric, this is the next best thing.

Off to watch the vids now.

Edit: just watched the vid and isn't that napkin the cutest thing! I am very excited about this, but really, really need to be patient. I have a bad habit of rushing through things rather than taking it slow and enjoying the whole process.

stiltwalker

LilySue wrote: »

Ooh KatieOwl , you've just named three of my favourite books , I also loved the Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising sequence, and a lot of Joan Aiken's stories.

Oh I love the Dark is Rising books - in fact I might have to see if they have them at the library now as I'm sure mine are packed away in my parent's attic! I ls loved the Stephen Lawhead Pendragon Cycle and an odd little book called The Minipins, been trying to google it to see who it's by and it just keeps saying 'do you mean the minpins, Roald Dahl?' No I don't!!! It's a book called the minipins and it's by someone else. Grrr

I also used to read the Swallows and Amazons books with an almost religious fervour! Even ended up learning to sail because of them.

Both OH and I had a slightly thick head this morning as we actually went out for dinner last night. It was great, fantastic meal, then we went to our old local and ended up chatting for too long and having several drinks followed by a nightcap when we got home! oops. Made a lovely change though. Am going to have a nice leisurely bath tonight after the kids are in bed as I have a very sore back and arm after helping DD in her walker and on the soft play and in her walker at the CDC fun day - she even got to go on the bouncy castle for the first ever time today and loved it! Had muppet moment though and left her potty there - had to run up the road and borrow one from a friend or we'd have had puddles on the floor, while I nipped out to buy a new one. It'll still be there on Monday, I'm sure but a spare will be useful.

anakat

stiltwalker wrote: »

and an odd little book called The Minipins, been trying to google it to see who it's by and it just keeps saying 'do you mean the minpins, Roald Dahl?' No I don't!!! It's a book called the minipins and it's by someone else. Grrr

Delurking to ask if this the book?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gammage-Carol-Kendalls-Tales-Minnipins/dp/015202493X/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340472158&sr=1-1-spell
and before you ask, I don't make tea even my kids wont drink it if i do.

Byatt

LilySue wrote: »

Ooh KatieOwl , you've just named three of my favourite books , I also loved the Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising sequence, and a lot of Joan Aiken's stories.


I'm just popping in to say Hi, and sorry I went missing after joining you all.......my youngest ds has been struggling with some issues related to his autism and when I'm in the midst of things I do tend to dissappear ( which is silly really as it would probably help me to write about it). I'll catch up on this thread later, off to get some baking done.

Hiya Lily, please post, it's always good to hear from others although I understand about the being in the midst of things.

vivaladiva wrote: »

Tea up. Cake anyone?

I am always ready for cake!

Evie74 wrote: »

Hello everyone!

Sorry for being awol over the past week - it's been one thing after another Chez Evie this week and I haven't managed to get onto MSE at all!:eek:

I have missed loads of posts so while DH is settling down in front of the TV this evening I shall try and do some catching up. I hope all is well with you all - ((hugs)) to anyone in need.

I've felt pretty in need myself this week. I had my annual appraisal at work - it didn't go too badly, but I didn't get the promotion I'd hoped for, and my boss didn't seem that forthcoming with advice/assistance/enthusiasm about the future. He basically made my feel like they just want me to carry on doing the same thing, for the same low pay, for evermore. So I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself.

I came home that day and had a quick look at alternative jobs - there was a vacancy for what I thought would be the perfect job, closer to home. I have all the qualifications and over 10 years' experience in the area they were asking for so I applied - and didn't even get an interview.:( They weren't interested in even meeting me because I can really only work part time at the moment, and they are looking for full timers only. DH says (and I know that he's right really) that if the company is that inflexible it would be better not to work for them in the first place, but my confidence has had a major knock.:( I think I probably need to develop a thicker skin, but I've been out of the job market for so long I'm not used to rejection!

So a pretty depressing week here, I'm afraid. I need to give myself a shake and get on with it.

As I say, hope all is well with everyone else - look forward to catching up with all your news.

Evie xx

Evie, it's always a blow to your self esteem and confidence, also your hopes and dreams when an employer doesn't appear to value you. It's hard to be motivated. The rejection is numbing at times. I know when I started again, I was stunned at how hard it is now. I always got the job I wanted so to find I was not getting an interview, or worse getting an interview and not being wanted knocked me for six. I have become self employed as a result, as I honestly can't face another interview! But your DH is right, they sound inflexible plus it's possible they already have someone in mind but have to advertise. Hugs and hope you feel better soon.

GreyQueen

stiltwalker wrote: »

I also used to read the Swallows and Amazons books with an almost religious fervour! Even ended up learning to sail because of them.
.

"Better drowned than duffers, if not duffers won't drown". And I haven't even read the book in 35 years. I loved the Swallows and Amazons books back when I was a kid.

I have been reading hoarders websites again. OMG, if you ever need any impetus to do a clear out on your own stuff, check some of those out.

evie, I'm sorry you didn't get your promotion and that your senior wasn't very helpful with feedback. Here's hoping that it'll come good for you next time.

Does anyone know why seagulls suddenly decide to come inland? I'm nowhere near the sea and the blasted things are wheeling around the Towers screaming like they've sighted the herring fleet. I know that they follow ploughs and haunt landfill sites but wheeling around a tower block? They appear at random every few weeks. Does it mean that there's bad weather at sea?


One of life's little mysteries, I expect.