Happy Birthday Jane

My little sisters birthday today she is 50.

 

I miss her so much.

What a beautiful day

As it is such a lovely day I decided to make the most of it and clear some more of my garden/yard.  It is so hot, poor Dolly has come inside to lay on the cool floor. I have done all the digging and clearing using the spade in the picture, yes that and a small hand fork are the sum total of my gardening equipment.

 This is work in progress showing my tiny spade.

 The bottom corner of my garden under the gazebo/arbour thingy, nearly all cleared now. I want to paint the walls at some point, when I have the time and I have finished sorting inside.

 My small flower bed, most of my lilies have been saved and are sprouting.

Believe it or not I have planted 50 bulbs in this small plot, along with some strawberries and pansies from my old hanging baskets.
I want to get some nice baskets this year to decorate my arbour and some additional shading along the top walls so I don't have to look at the backs of houses and Lever Brothers works.

Garden

Lots of unpacking to do, but as I had some scrap men in my garden after my scaffolding I thought I had better get out there and sort it.  Thank you so much Kizz and Fem for all their hard work and travelling over to Warrington just for me.  This scaffolding only just fitted on my patio at the flat, here it sits in a corner of my garden, I have so much more space and Dolly loves it.  Because the garden is bigger we have had to fasten the scaffolding to the wall to secure it, on the balcony it just slotted in so it wasn't a problem.

 Stage one, scaffolding in place.



Stage two, bush cut right back as its rooted into the ground and cannot be moved... one curtain up.  I will not put the rest up yet as its too windy. The walls will be repainted and hopefully a couple of murals to give some depth.  Also, when the wind has died down I can put my lacy canopy over it and get my little table and chairs out.  A few hanging baskets and its done.

A new house at last.

I have a new house at last.  Unfortunately its not like my second life home, but it's nice and it's warm!
It's a Victorian terrace, large rooms and a nice back yard/garden with flower beds and flagged with Victorian tiles.  Now begins all the hard work, unpacking and sorting stuff out.  I have a massive workroom in this house which has everything just piled into it; it's going to take a while to sort it all out.  Downstairs is getting there, I have one room cleared so far.  I am just waiting on my large step ladders to be delivered so I can put curtains up at the windows.  The ceilings are so high my small steps don't reach the top of the windows.
Dolly is settling in, she likes the freedom to run in and out.  On the downside she cannot see anyone or anything, the back is high walls and she cannot get up high enough to look out the front windows.
At the top of the road is the park; Dolly can do her business on the Mayor's lawn lol.  Yes I do pick up Dolly's poops, I am disgusted by the number of people who don't.

Stress no, don't be daft....

I am moving house, I have handed in my notice to quit my current property, raised the funds required for my new deposit and started packing.  All the checks etc for the tennancy application have been completed and are fine.  I received a copy of my contract prior to signing.  I should be signing it on Wednesday when I pick up the keys.   I stressed when I went to view the property that I have a dog, I said the garden would be good as its all flagged so great for the dog to run around and easy to clean up after her.  I confirmed I could decorate to my taste (its got black wallpaper etc at the moment).  I also confirmed I could have the dirty old cooker disconnected and my own installed (which I have just purchased purely for this new house).  The property is shabby and needs a lot of cleaning and love, the carpets upstairs are stained, but I can replace them.  Downstairs its wood and lino which is fine.
Reading my contract it states:
I have to have a tv licence, but cannot erect an aerial.
I have to repair pet stains on the grass and cut the lawn regularly.
The tenant is not allowed to paint or decorate any part of the property.
The tenant is not allowed to remove or replace any electrical or gas fittings.
The tenant is not allowed to fix anything to the walls using screws, blue tac, picture hooks etc.
Not allowed to play or use radio, cd, television or make any noise between the hours of 11pm and 7am.
Pet agreement states:
I can allow my shitzu to live there however: 
I must use a litter tray.
The dog must be kept caged in the house.
The dog is not allowed upstairs and a gate must be erected (without using any fixings) at the bottom of the stairs to prevent access.
Cannot be fed inside the property.
The dog cannot access the garden unless it is on a lead and cannot be tied up outside.
The dog is not allowed foul the garden, even if it is then cleaned.
At the end of the tennancy all the upstairs carpets must be professionally cleaned or replaced with new.

What a loat of bull!!  Dolly sleeps on my bed where I feel safe.  I could understand some of it if the property was new or just refurbished, but its a dirty dishevelled uncared for house!  Unless they rewrite the contract, I will not be moving there and as I have put in my notice here, I will be homeless!

Vertigo is a nightmare

I have never had vertigo last so long.  I eventually went to the doctors yesterday as I fell over twice; once crossing the main road, which could have been really serious.  I now have some medication and its a little better today, fingers crossed it clears up.
I just want to start packing and clear the house ready to move.  We have just had a couple of lovely days weather wise, but today its back to rain.   I don't like walking Dolly in the rain as she gets so filthy and has to have a bath when we get home.  The floot and bathroom end up muddy and its a continous cycle.....

To add to my collection I have a budgie.  The pet shop under my flat has closed down and the owner just wanted to get rid of this little boy.  He said its an old bird that nobody would want!  Just shows what he knows, its a young bird thats just had its first moult.  I am trying to teach it to say 'hello gorgeous' to me. But everytime I talk to him, Dolly get jealous and starts barking.

 I crochet while I watch tv in the evenings and I am slowly building up a collection of motifs, which hopefully will eventually become a blanket. (colour is not great on the photograph)

On the move again.

If I didn't have vertigo I would be packing boxes ready to move house again.
Thankfully I am having dinner at my daughters today so I don't have to cook, wouldn't trust myself with hot pans today.
If it all goes well and I get the house, I will have a garden (of sorts) for Dolly and a brick built outside storage so I don't have to carry my bikes up these concrete stairs in all weathers. It is also near Sankey Valley Park great for walks and inspiration.  Theres a canal and lots of birds, swans, ducks etc.  When we finally get some nice weather I can sit and draw and watch Dolly run around.

60 today

I never in my wildest nightmares ever thought I would be drinking champagne alone on my 60th birthday.  I suppose with the government changes 60th aren't special anymore.  You now retire later and later and I have to work now until I am 64 before I can retire.
I did get a beautiful Mackintosh mirror from my daughter who spent a couple of hours with me this morning.  I feel so sad and should be celebrating.  I will be glad when today is over.

Textile Exhibition

For those out of the area its Warrington, WA1 3TP.

End of an era....

I have decided to let my website go.  It doesn't get many visitors and its been difficult trying to keep it updated.  The blog does better and its free.

Morning Walk

Setting off on our morning walk, I have had to move my plants that were hanging due to the wind, they are now on my stairs and still blooming.

 Me and Dolly setting off, we love the leaves.

 A large family of Magpies on the football field.  We have seen a lot of them today so far.

Most of the leaves go green to yellow then brown, so its nice to see some bright red flashes occasionally.

 We took a detour off the park pathway and found a stairway leading into the woods.

 I didn't know we had so much woodland on the doorstep, will definately be walking here more often.

 On the way back a path through the Rosebaywillow herbs, it leads to a small oak tree in a tiny clearing.  This is part of the ares where all the rabbits play and feed.

 You can just about make out the sausage in Dollys mouth, looks like a big cigar.  We stopped at Pat's cafe on the way home.

Autumn

How quickly the leaves change.  I have a Beech tree directly outside my front window and today the colours are beautiful.  I love the falling leaves blowing in the breeze.  I can't understand why people complain yet choose to live here!  I run through the leaves with Dolly and we play together, like little children.  It's just good clean fun.

 

Autumn

Woke up this morning to a foggy world, it looks so nice outside in the sun, but its bitterly cold.  This first pic is from my front window and as you can see its in the shade so doesn't get any sun.

 Trying to photograph my baby finches, mother and father on the right and two of the young on the left.

 Not a wonderful picture but the other baby now in view.

My finches have flown the nest.

I lost one baby but the rest are now out of the nest. This first one is difficult to see the face as the beak is black and facing the camera.  This one has been out of the nest a couple of days.

 These two have only just left the nest today, they are flying but their coordination is still a bit off.  They land on the other birds and knock them off the perch lol.  One is white with a dark face and dark beak, the other is white with a pink beak and a little bit of dark on its back.

My priority now is to get a bigger cage, I would really like an aviary but they are so expensive.

First Flight

I saw one of my chicks flying out of the nest yesterday, I ran to get my camera, but it was back in the nest by the time I got back.  There are three beautiful chicks. One dark and two light.  I have left my camera by the cage so I am ready next time lol.

Chicks

My finches, William and Kate have chicks in the nest.  So exciting, just little bundles of fluff.  Hopefully some photographs when I have my camera and they W and K are not on the nest.

Probably not too clear as they are white, but my lillies have finally bloomed, they look nice next to the begonias. 

 Some flowers on my buddlea too.

 I have moved some smaller ones onto my wall, cheers it up a bit.

 Took Dolly for a walk, the field we go through has lots of rabbits, they usually dissappear as soon as you get near, but I managed to snap this one.

 As I was nearly back home I saw this horse and cart, must be on its way to a wedding.

 And then while watching I had the pleasure of this massive conker falling on my head, it really hurt.  So, I just had to pop into the new cafe on the end of my block for a yummy tart.

Hunny has a new home

Hunny has gone to a new home, where she is loved and cared for.  She has a large run in a lovely garden so she can run and feel grass beneath her feet, something she hasn't had with me.  Dolly misses her very much.  On the plus side, I can now have plants on my patio without them being eaten and Dolly can sit at the top of the stairs and see what is going on outside.  She can't see anything from the patio.

Dolly looking towards the stairs.

 Plants on the floor whoop!

Gutted

I am so gutted, I though I had found my little sister, but she has moved on.  I just hope and pray that she finds me one day, before its too late.

My Grotto

It seems to have done nothing but rain, where has our summer gone?  I think it is here now for a few days anyway.  So a little update on my little garden (patio/balcony).

I brought some scaffolding, which I have erected and topped with an old lace bedspread.  I have my baskets and dangles hanging off it.  

 You can see my bird cage on the left.  I have two finches who love the sun, but I have to give them some shade when its this hot.

 Some of my baskets and flowers (looking East)

 In the centre I have made a chandelier, using crystals and my wind chime.  I have some solar lights that twinkle at night and these are woven through my chandelier.

 At the bottom of my stairs I have some more plants on a shelve unit.

 Plants going up the stairs.

 Dolly and my lupins.

 My peace lily, fuchsia and honeysuckle all in flower.

My umbrella plant loves it out here too, its sprouting everywhere.  Partially because Hunny gave it a trim lol.

The latest on my Workroom

In one corner of my workroom is my Easter Cacti, still flowering and looking the best it has for years.

 I have removed the top of my welsh dresser (the base is in the lounge) and hung it on the wall above my shelves.  It makes a nice display for my 'bits' and some of my favourite post cards.  This will probably change as the days go by.  I am selling some of the plates and I have a couple of new ones to put up.

Summer at Last

Isn't the weather really gorgeous.  My flowering milk bottles are looking lovely and it's so nice to sit on the patio and read under the shade of my unbrella.

 Poor Dolly is finding it rather hot in her fur coat.  Fortunately the flat is cool so she can sit in the hall and look out.  The last couple of days, although really hot have been windy and my umbrella just will not stay up, so we go and sit under the trees at the front of the flat.

I love this weather, hope it stays for a long while.

Cheap hanging baskets

I have been growing seeds in my mini greenhouse which are coming along nicely.  I would like some nice hanging baskets but they are so expensive.  So, today while its sunny, I decided to take a break from moving furniture and unpacking and sorting bla bla...... and made my own hanging baskets.

I know they might look a bit funny, as they are just ice cream tubs.  But, once the plants really start to grow and trail, you won't see the tubs, maybe a flash of blue occasionally.  I think I should have tried a bit harder to remove the ice cream labels though lol.

I also use the bottom of milk cartons and water bottles for individual plants.  This is a close up of my strawberry plants.  (in the first picture you can see pansy's on top of my hutch in milk tubs)

From the side showing my mini greenhouse.   Just in case anyone is wondering what all the blue is; its sheets to protect my things from the rain.  I have a big sheet on top of the hutch as I have my plant pots there and I don't want the hutch to rot.  The rest covers things like my patio set and bike trailer.