A Pat on the back.

Good Evening, Been much nicer here today some sun but a bit windy, infact so nice we were able to get out to the garden this morning. We were needing to take out the Yellow Buddlia that I showed you with the butterflies on it earlier in the year.  It just got to big it was 14ft high and about 6ft across. I was very sad to do this but it just had to be done.  I got a bit cold out this morning and could not get warmed up again I think its with all the pills I take for my blood pressure.  I have posted a few pictures for you of the bonfire and the fireworks on Saturday in Perth. They were spectacular and we all had a great evening. Does anyone know how difficult it is to take pictures of fireworks you either click too early or you miss it this is the best I could do. Have been starting a new game of bookworm this afternoon as we burnt down last night just short of 1 million.  You will be wondering about my title tonight well the pat is for me its two years today since I stopped smoking, and I must say I am very pleased with myself as I had tried many times before and always failed but I had to do something about it this time as my blood pressure was very high and also the price was rediculous and as I was going to retire I had all the reasons I neaded.  I used the patches and the practice nurse helped me and I sailed through it. Well I think thats about all for today hope you all have a pleasant evening.  Love

                                                 

A Good Night was had.

  Good Afternoon, I was going to show you pictures of the firework display we were at last night but it does not seem appropriate in light of what happened in Kettering last night so I well show the photos later in the week.. The weather stayed fair and very mild and we had a great time.  The worst bit of the evening was trying to get out of the car park at the end of the night it took us half and hour, but we were cosy in the car and just sat and listened to our music.  It seems to be a bit colder today and windy. Haven't been out but Stu was out for a paper and said it was cold.  We have been so lucky so far this Autumn with the weather we have had a good bit of rain and damp weather but not too bad for up here.  Missed Strickly Come Dancing last night but caught up with the result today and was pleased about it.. I think all the rest of J-land watch Xfactor but I'm not keen.  Taped Casualty so will watch that later.  Found it sad on Friday night  as one of our favourite programes finished. Jag has been running for about 7 years and we really enjoyed it but on Friday night FX showed the last one, so between Judging Amy finishing earlier this year and now Jag  I don't know what we will watch instead. Wee as you will have gusess I really don't have much to say hence the ramblings today but never mind tomorrow is another day.  Bye just now and take care.

                                          

Going Out .

Good Afternoon, as you can see by the graphic it 's raining again.  When we got up this morning the sun was shining and the sky was blue, by ten o'closk it was dull and by eleven it was bucketing down and it still is.  We are a bit disappointed about this as we are going out tonight to our Son and Daughter in laws for tea and then we were going to be  going to a big Fireworks display in Perth but if it stays like this it will be cancelled, not the tea bit just the fireworks.  I was really looking forward to seeing the display as it must be the best part of 25 years since I have been to a big display and I think they have come a long way since that.  I have been listening to 3 tracks from Kate Bush's new album great stuff if you are a fan as we are. It seem a long time since she did anything 12 years they say on AOL this morning. The track are playing free on AOL today.  Will have to go now as I have a pot of soup on the cooker and it should be ready.  Have a great Guy Fawkes.    Love Joan.

                                         

Friday

Good Morning, I just can't beleive it is Friday again. The time is just whizzing by just now I wish I could put the brakes on to slow thing down a bit.  I can't beleive that it 11 months today since I retired I must say I have enjoyed every moment of it.  It is a much better day today nearly bright and not raining and still very mild.  Stuart's off doing his Art as usual. He did a lovely painting yesterday afternoon of some sail boats we had taken a picture of during the summer and it has turned out super.  If Santa brings me a Scanner, have still to send my letter about that, I will try to let you see some of his work.  I was telling you last week that his work was being asessed for an exibition but forgot to tell you he had seven painting selected to put in.. We have now taken out a bank loan to get them framed HA HA, for showing.  Hope it goes well for him .  When I was lying in bed last night a bit hot and bothered as usual I thought of a great entry for today but you are never going to read it as I have forgotten what it was going to be about. Silly me I should have gotten up and written something down on paper like all us great authors do lol.  Well I had better go now thats Stuart back.  Love Joan

Just popped back to say by the time I had written the above the rain is on again.  J.                        

For the first time since I started my journal back at the end of July I have no idea what I am going to say today.  I have been trying to think of something interesting all morning while I was doing my chores. After lunch I came up here still none the wiser and played Mahjong for a while the only thing I can think of other than telling you it is a horrible day  is to tell you a bit about me.

    I was born on the 2nd of December 1942 only child to John and Alice.  Mum and Dad as I have told you before had a motor bike and sidecar and once the war was over and Dad was back home again( he had ben in North Africa and Italy with the 8th Army) we started going away every Sunday for a run.  We travelled all over Scotland and hardly ever missed a week.. Holidays were the same away hosteling or camping.  We went abroad twice once to Paris and once to Switerland. It was a great way to spend your childhood seeing all the different places.  My Mum and Dad were both in the Jute trade Mum was a weaver and Dad was in managment.Dundee was full of Jute Mills when I was a child but now I don't think there are any left. Sad.  I left school a 15 and started work in Januart 1958 as a apprentice bookbinder and met Stu on my first day but that was not the start of the romance as I was  tiny 15 year old and he was 18 and all grown up,little did he know but I did. The following January I arrived for work one morning to find the works had burnt down. I then made my first move and went to work as a window dresser which I quite liked, more than the  print shop but was upset as Stu was not longer in my life at all.We were just talking last night about wages when I worked in the printers I was earning the grand sum of £2-17-6d per week for working 43hrs per week or in todays money £2-85 oh dear how did we manage. After a number of badly paid jobs I went to work in Timex and was earning a lot more  there. I had not long starded there when I met up with Stu again at a cycling club dance funny it was at a Paul Jones and that was it, we started dating as they call it now. Well I think I will stop now and maybe continue another day if you are interested.  Bye for now.

                                              

I am Too Old Fashoined.

Good Afternoon J-Land, cannot think to much to say today but I thought I would tell you of something that happened to us on Monday past.  We were out at the retail park to see about a new dishwasher and after we spent all these pennies +£38 -95 delivery and fitting to existing fittings we were in need of a Coffee.  There was a Brewers Fayre in the Retail  Park and we went in there. I have not been to one of their places before and I don't know if you have them round your way.  We sat down, the place was totally empty and looked around to see if anyone was serving or if it was self service.  Stu went off to see and I noticed a little leaflet on the table this is what it said........

'Please note down your table number and choice of meals on this slip. Take it with you and place your order and pay at the food till.

No pen or pencil was provided. I am maybe a bit old fashioned but I have never heard or seen this kind of ordering for food it was like going into Argos for a meal. Don't get me wrong the resturant was very nice clean and well layed out but I did not like this idea at all. When Stu arrived back he said he had disturbed the waitress from her ciggy and her coffee.Wonder where the manager was? One thing come Spring she won't be able to do the ciggy bit as our new law comes in about smoking in public places.  Oh dear would you know that its a ex smoker writing this. Well thats all for today have a good evening Love

The missing Pictures.

 

Good Evening, I  found this photpgraph  yesterday on a disc that we had downloaded in March from our PC when it had to go to the doctors with a virus.  I was delighted as this is in my opinion the best picture I have ever taken.This is Bishop Hill in Perthshire.  It was taken at this time of year but in 2004, the colours are much better on this than they art now. I think it is because we have still not had a frost and that always helps the colours.  I had just been given my Nikon Digi camera a few week before so I was and still am learning how to use it.

  Have hade a busy day today hanging new curtains in the lounge, we have a big north facing window its 10 ft wide and is from floor to ceiling. The curtains I had we have had for many many years,they were velvet and very cosy. I don't think the new ones will be as warm as we don't have double glazing, but we will see,  have kept the old ones just in case.  Well its off to the ironing basket for me and Holby on one of the English BBC channels as they keep changing the night of Holby in Scotland and this suit better as Stu watches the football tonight.  Hope you have all had a nice day and are having a pleasant evening. Love.

                                            Joan.