Pink sky at night ...

... is Shepherd's delight. Well, this scenery delighted me as we travelled down to town the other day. I made Mr T stop the car so I could get this picture from the car window. Luckily, no-one was behind us, who would say '... some bloody idiot stopped on the busy, main road!' I don't care, though, if they were, it was beautiful.

Well, how was your Christmas? Hopefully, as peaceful and enjoyable as ours was - with the dinner of the year being as fabulous as ours was. We spent the day with our daughter and her family, while ringing around the country to speak to other members of the family. Then, drove over to Aviemore for Boxing Day, to visit with Mr T's brother and his wife. The snow there was much heavier than here at Glenshee, so we left at about 5pm to drive home, having to stop fairly often to clear the windscreen of the muck being thrown up from other traffic.

Ooh, it was lovely to kick our shoes by the front door, to get the snow off them, put a match to the woodburner, and settle down with a cuppa, mince pie and the telly. Bliss.

I wish you all a very happy, and/or peaceful holiday and all you would hope for the New Year of 2010.

Time and tide...

some wee muffins, made for our crafters' lunch last week

Yeah, time in running out, fast! I can't believe Christmas has come around so quickly, once again. Mr T has taken the last of the parcels down to the post office today, yes, this morning, and I hope that they just get there in time. In them, no piccies, are aprons I made, for some little girls in the family, which I just couldn't find time to get around to making, silly isn't it? Now, my new year's resolution is to get the blimmin' stuff ready, from January 2010, and to be done by the summer, at least.

But, we know what happens to new year resolutions, don't we, ladies?!

Smasher!

What a smashing time I've been having of late! Nanny's Best Girl and Dolly-lolly-pop's poor mummy has had to work extra and different hours of work, these past few weeks. This is because both the childminder and the work colleague have been away sick, following surgery.

So, guess what?

Nanny has had the greatest of pleasure in stepping in, and doing the childminding for two very beautiful and clever grand-daughters. How cool is that?

Yep, very cool indeed. But, it has taken its toll a tad on the old energy and time. Energy is to be expected at my ripe old age of 52, I suppose. But, I can get some rest and recuperation. It's the time that I'm having trouble with - time to be getting on with other work commitments, that is.

Most of the employers of my various posts have been very good at understanding that, what with my mum having her health problems, my two holidays (lucky me,) and then being ill myself, I have been rather stretched. I do wish I was made of elastic, and not need any amount of sleep! Others have not been quite as forgiving. But, there is nothing I can do about that. Except, continue to apologise and just get on and catch up with it all.

Oh, but I have enjoyed my girlies so much! At the ages of 12 and 2 and a half, they are such fun and in different ways. There was a delightful afternoon, last week, where NBG and her pal were making stamped and embellished, sewn fabric, Xmas tree decorations. Aided and abetted, I might add, by DLP singing and crayoning at the table with them, spilling glitter and sequins all over the place! Classic.

I am off to bed early tonight, and have a haircut appointment tomorrow morning. Lucky me! 'night. x

ps. erarggh! Kim has just been subjected to gert big hairy spiders poured over her head. I shall now retire to my bed and WILL DREAM of the damned things!

Ooh snow!

You'd better believe it!

Just in Quick

Just a quick post to say that we are back from our, FanTasTic holiday to Egypt. We cruised, went looking at loads of tombs, lazed about and then flew to Cairo to see the Pyramids, Sphinx and the King Tut exhibition. It was really enjoyable and so much fun. One day I found myself listening to 'The English Patient' soundtrack on my iPod, as we were cruising down the Nile! Best holiday for a long time. And, good for me and Mr T to have some time together. We needed to have time to just be us, without work, 'phones etc.

And, I came back to have a blood pressure test, which was worryingly high before the hols, but had to be taken twice just to check, as it was so low as to be normal! Though, since then I have developed the coldy-fluey virus, than includes diarrhoea, yuk, that Mr T caught off someone on the 'plane. Ah well.

ps. piccies and more, soon, when I am feeling better.

Running away ... to holiday!

Mum is much better, though still tired. Unfortunately, she has thrown a wobbly once again and threw out my brother, who was visiting for the weekend. Readers of this blog may remember that my mum has mental health issues. These 'wobblies' are ongoing, and extremely upsetting for all of us. But, she continues as if nothing has happened, leaving tears and heartache in her wake. However, we have survived thus far.

On a brighter note, my son and his family visited while I was 'down South.' His partner is about 18 weeks now, and is literally blooming with this pregnancy! As well, she is eating properly and her eczema is vastly improved, and her eyes are all shiney and bright. She was more chatty than usual, as she is a shy person. I was so pleased for the opportunity to see them.

I am now off on my jollies for a few weeks. This lucky girl is going to St Andrews for a few days with the lovely daughter, and her two lovely daughters, yippee. I am soo looking forward to this - a quiet country cottage, all equipped with a log fire etc, near to the water and the city, where we can walk as well as going out to see 'stuff.' Yesterday, I picked up a cross stitch rug to make, with snakes and ladders on it - which we can share. I do have a days work to go into while away, but that will be good for them to just mooch about together, as well. When she gets back home, she will be, hopefully, arriving to a whole new bathroom, which her husband and Mr T are fitting in, while we are away.

And, for me, there's more! Two days after my return, I am jetting off to Egypt for two weeks! (Sorry about so many !!!'s) We are cruising along the Nile for a week, then spending a few days in Luxor, AND flying to Cairo to see the Pyramids as well. I have long wanted to see the pyramids, and now I shall!

I will return, refreshed and rejuventated. Promise.

for now, Karen.

More News

Well, I am travelling South this weekend. My mum had a heart attack on Monday, and a stent inserted today. She suddenly sounds old, and it's a bit scary, even though she's only 71 years old. But, she's always been a healthy person, with get up and go, and she's often gone - on walking holidays, gardening holidays, off to Italy or Spain. I just heard my brother relating to an aunt, that he'd queried a dent in the ceiling above mum's stairs. 'Oh, that,' she says 'that's when I was moving a wardrobe up to my bedroom.'

I don't think she'll be doing that for a while.