New Boys on the Block

Sam and I have adopted three new boys - a dad and his two sons. They have had a bit of a rough ride and have been adopted once and returned, so we have taken them to give them a happy life. The dad is called Barney and is an old boy. The other two are Bill & Ben and look very similar so not really sure which is which at the moment. We are keeping them separate to our other boys at the moment but they seem happy in their new home.
I will post some pictures later.

Grape Juice

Made from grapes from Dad's garden-
it is delicious

Harefield

Dad has had a stent fitted today at Harefield, to open up his airway. He is well enough to come home so Mum and Jayne are going to collect him. He is going to Mount Vernon on Monday for his plotting scans.

Beautiful

Cargo delivery!

                   I bet Vickie and Jerry are glad their furniture was not part of this shipment!

Hospital Visiting

Dad is back in hospital - he had pain in his chest which needs investigating. The doctor said it could be the tumour blocking the airway, a collapsed lung or a blood clot. He went for some tests today but hadn't got the results back when I went to visit. However he was looking well, not on any oxygen and had walked down to the shop for a newspaper. I spent a couple of hours with him and we had a good chat about lots of different things.

The Queen is in Australia

 I wonder if Vickie & Jerry will see her in Perth?

Offer Accepted

We have made an offer of £132,000 on a house, which has been accepted. Barring any major problems from the survey it looks like this will be our rental property. The house is a few doors up from where my sister Sally lives - so at least we know the neighbours are ok lol. It is a three bed mid terrace with a garage at the rear. It has lots of original features and just needs a little tidying up before it is ready to rent out. It is walking distance to the station too. We are both very excited.

Balti Night

Sam and I have just been out for a lovely Indian meal at the fabulous 'Balti Nights'. We had a good time - the waiter always remembers Sam and I - I don't know why. Anyway the food was as good as usual and the service was great. We got a table straight away tonight - no waiting in the bar!

In Love With Glass

I really love things made from glass - I have always liked its reflective qualities. I have found a couple of really pleasing things in the local charity shop just recently - and they fit into the house so well. The first is a Murano style glass ashtray - which is too beautiful to use as an ashtray and looks lovely in the light.

The second is a lamp made from twisted glass. I have had a google and found a similar one from the 1950's. I bought a shade from Dunelm and it looks great on the table by our patio doors. It will be functional there too as there is no light switch at that end of the room for when we come in through the back of the house. 
                   

Positive News

Positive news today from Dad's results. The cancer has not spread and the Consultant says is treatable with radiotherapy - which is great news. He has to go to Mount Vernon for three weeks to have the treatment three times a day, targeting the tumour. He will feel unwell for six - eight weeks afterwards but should then feel well again. He also has to have a brain scan but the Consultant doesn't expect there to be anything untoward on it. We are all feeling very relieved and positive for Dad!

Lunch With Friends

Had a lovely lunch today with Claire, Dawn and little Daisy today. Enjoyed it very much - it was great to chat and catch up. Little Daisy is mobile now and very cute - especially with three adoring adults cooing over her!
Claire is doing well - her hair is growing back now and she is feeling good. She is having her fourth chemo session tomorrow.

Claire says her and Daisy both feel hair is over-rated!

Sunday Tea

Sam and I went for Sunday tea with Gail, Tommy and June in London Colney today. It was nice to see them and have a chat. We started at Gail's house, then went next door for tea at 6.00. It was proper old fashioned tea with ham and salmon sandwiches followed by cakes and a cup of tea.

Coffee Time

Had a lovely time today meeting up with Bonnie. We had breakfast and a good catch up chat - must have been 3-4 years since we last saw each other. I had some reservations about meeting up due to her beliefs but decided to let bygones be bygones!
We have arranged to meet up again soon - but as she hasn't seen her brother and sister-in- law, who only live round the corner, since Easter I'm not holding my breath lol!

Gilbert & Sullivan Sketch Show

Sam and I went to the theatre in Hitchin this evening to see the G&S Sketch Show. My boss, Gill, was singing it in and the evening included a light supper in the interval. It was a great evening with some really good singers taking part. G&S is quite light and funny and we enjoyed it very much!

Surprise Birthday Gift

I received a lovely Birthday gift by post today from Pip and Liam - a lovely selection of spring bulbs from a bulb farm - a really great surprise! I shall plant them at the weekend and look forward to seeing them flower in the Spring. What a thoughtful gift!

Birthday

It is my 49th Birthday today! I have had a lovely day with some very lovely and thoughtful gifts and lots of cards from friends and family!
I am enjoying using my new DSLR camera - and Sam also cleverly bought a book to go with it, which is proving very useful.  I am working my way through it and have learnt lots already.
Charlotte bought me some lovely accessories for the living room - including a very warm chenille throw which I am sure Sam and I will be fighting over during the chilly evenings.
Charlotte, Sam and I went out for dinner - I fancied good old fish n chips so we went to the Wigmore Fish Bar, where we had a lovely meal and got great service!
All in all it was a nice day!

Celebration

Family get together at Mum & Dad's today to celebrate a plethora of birthdays - Jayne's, Lauren's, mine and Shaun's. 
Mum cooked a delicious roast dinner for 14 of us. The weather was beautiful and we ate pudding in the garden - three to choose from: chocolate tart, lemon cheesecake and raspberry pavlova!
We all had a lovely day and enjoyed reminiscing about our childhoods.

   

Move over Macavity

Move over Macavity - this cat beats you paws down!!

This is a cat with two faces, named Frank and Louie in Worcester, US. The animal is known as a Janus cat, named for the figure in Roman mythology with two faces on one head. The owner calls the face on the left Frank, while the face on the right is identified as Louie.