NaBloPoMo 13 Hedgehogs

After a slightly uncomfortable night on the sofa, I went to cafe church with the family. Dad was leading, and it's interesting watching him adapt his leadership style for this more informal setting. We made various poppy crafts, and my favourite were the wax crayon and sugar paper poppies that unfold when we put them in water - made for a nice visual during the two minute silence. Good old capillary action. Instructions here

Then I wondered home as Tom was coming to join us for lunch, and I was on 'taking things out of the oven duty.' I took advantage of the kitchen table being clear to sit up to the table - always a win.

Our lunch was interuppted by a knock on the door, where a vague aquaintance of my mum's stood with a little hedgehog wrapped in a sweater. The might turned out to be only 300g, far too small to hibernate, so Mum got out her hedgehog cage, found some straw and cat food. It's not winter if Mum's not overwintering a hedgehog.

Meet Pedley:

NaBloPoMo 12: Parents

I had a horrid time with my car, so I turned it around by flower arranging for Remembrance Sunday with Emma and her daughter Kendra who were excellent helpers, then going back to Westbury to celebrate with my family. Tom was on call, so we were a man down, but we had an excellent time, and I stayed up till two in the morning putting the world to rights with my mum.

NaBloPoMo 11 London again

In London for some more meetings today. Had a delightful evening. Went to dinner at Comptoir Libanaise, a Lebanese restaurant in Marylebone with my oldest friend from school and her partner. Tom came up too.

I had time to kill between work and meeting everyone, so walked round the front of Buckingham Palace and the back of St James Palace, and peered at the Christmas displays along Piccadilly and Jermyn Street.

Here are some of my favourite bits.

NaBloPoMo 10: walking

Work was nothing to write home about today, as I was in an office all day.

In the evening, after arranging some birthday flowers for a colleague, Tom and I went for a long walk to Woolston.

It was one of those evening walks where you just have a need to walk, get fresh air, and be outside. As we marched off with no real desire to be anywhere, we realised we were headed to Woolston. I suggested a pre dinner aperitif, and Tom remembered Olaf's Tun, the micro-pub or self titled, 'craft ale he'd

So we ended up there, had some very reasonably priced beer under some way to bright lights, then walked back to a late dinner. The place had a warm welcome though.

We got back to it just before it caught on the bottom of the casserole dish. Score!

NaBloPoMo 9

I woke up at stupid o'clock this morning, checked my phone to see the US election results, and felt sad. We'll have to hope Mr. Trump makes good his promise to unite the nation and represent all peoples. My phone was pinging all morning with friends messaging each other their dismay.

I was driving into London today to run a session on social media for some people who work in education. Surprisingly the drive all the way up the M3 was ok, and I made good time for once. I think the session went well, and then I borrowed a hot desk in their office and managed to rip through a large chunk of my to do list.

After a less successful drive back in which I was busting for a wee, I ran in at home, used the loo, and ran out again to go for a walk. I stopped to have a look at the work the gardeners are doing on the front garden and was pleased. I think we've managed to find a half decent contractor for once, and they're making good time.

Then I went for a walk up the road to Portswood, aiming to buy flowers for a friend's birthday. I didn't manage to get any, but I picked up some Christmas presents and a few other bits. It's very helpful that shops open in the evening. I don't know when I would do my shopping if they didn't.

On the way to the shop, I noticed a billboard for a new model of Mercedes taxi. It was quite surprising to see a billboard for this in a city. I wonder how they picked their site?

Once I was back, I started tidying as Tom came home from a church do. We did some tidying together, then I paid for my new car insurance before bed. My stomach still isn't good, so I tried wearing totally unsexy support pants to bed to see if it helped. It did a bit, so I managed to get some sleep after all.

NaBloPoMo 8 Waiting

Traffic was awful today in Southampton - I'm not sure why. It took me ages to get to the railway station.

Once I got into London, I had meetings, ran training, grabbed lunch with a new aquaintance/friend and worked some more.

There was a hug queue to get into the tube station on the way home, and I missed the ideal train home. So more waiting.

I actually managed to get a seat on the way home, so I good do some work until my laptop battery died. Had to bite my tongue to avoid giving unsolicited social media advice to two women who clearly had a new interior design company.

They were of that middle-aged, skinny, posh, blonde persuasion, all bespoke irregularly shaped business cards with pink edges, discussing vigorously about whether a company Christmas card was a good idea. I'm very much of the start with your audience, not your supposed product, school. *Sigh*

NaBloPoMo 7

Today I drove to Kent,  sat in my car for a conference call, worked damn hard but still didn't get everything done, then went to see a colleague and her baby. He was delightful, and I liked watching her be a mummy. It was so good to talk away together. I wish I could have stayed for longer. It's hard when your friends are far away.

After a long drive home, we went for dinner at Dee and Sam's. Sam had made a very tasty roast beef with all the trimmings, and they were complimentary about my chocolate chestnut roulade. They're fairly new friends of ours from church, and I'm enjoying getting to know them. We ended up staying till midnight, in that perfect whirl of we-just-don't-want-the-putting-the-world-to-rights-to-end.

I'm a bit worried about my stomach at the moment as I have had some stretchmarks appear, even though I've managed to lose some weight recently. I scared myself to sleep googling what was wrong, and I'm now convinced I've got a tumor or hernia or Cushings syndrome. If I get anymore, I'm going to go to the doctors, but I'm not convinced right now.

NaBloPoMo 6: On my own

We waved the Belgians off at 9am-ish this morning. Tom was on call, and after his breakfast went to look at a fault, so I had the day to myself. I'd missed the earlier morning service I normally go to at church, but I decided to go to the later service. I was roped into doing some photocopying, and had a nice coffee time catching up with people from both services.

I find the later service at church hard personally. The lack of structure gets to me, and it reminds me of painful past memories with the modern music. I felt especially cheated today where we started singing a great old hymn, but only got through two verses before we went back to the more modern stuff. But overall, it was better than it has been for me at this kind of service for years, so that was positive.

It reinforced how important singing is me in my church experience. How great songs and hymns help reinforce my little faith. How much I struggle with Jesus is my boyfriend songs, especially when they're played slowly. I wish I could find a pianist to help the earliest service, as not all the good songs are on the CD we use for that service.

The rest of the day I spent running errands in town, and starting a little Christmas shopping. It's quite nice to have a day to yourself every now and again. I did a little sewing and a little housework too.

Tom came back about 8:30pm, so we had a spot of dinner together and caught up on a few TV programmes before bed.

NaBloPoMo 5: colour

After getting up oh so gently, and joining our guests for breakfast, three of us went to run errands and buy some groceries. It was fun to watch someone else doing what I do in foreign supermarkets, stocking up on useful essentials that are hard to find at home.

They are definitely my favourite kind of guests as they had made themselves a tasty chicken soup yesterday, (and cleaned the kitchen!), so we had the start of a good lunch.

We decided to show them one of the local highlights, Mottisfont, in the afternoon. I've visited many times before, but was delighted to see some different rooms in the house that I usually miss, as well as the fabulous Autumn colour. I think my highlights were inducting our guests into the hallowed tradition of the National Trust cream tea, and the very tame robin in the walled garden.

The evening brought a dinner of fish pie and chocolate chestnut roulade, accompanied by a soundtrack of fireworks booming. Then an early night for all, the fresh air having tired us out.

NaBloPoMo 4

Today I was in my usual office for a meeting. I enjoyed all the glorious Autumn colour on the drive in. It feels like it has been a spectacular Autumn. Better than normal.

In the evening we enjoyed sharing our favourite micropub the Butcher's Hook with our visiting friends, and our favourite restaurant, Dock O the Bay.

NaBloPoMo 3 - cake

Today I was in London for a big team meeting.

I like travelling into the capital, looking at people's back garden's.

Here's the birthday cake from today's session - we had two birthdays in the room, and my team are delicious over achievers.

We've got guests staying this weekend - friends of Dad's from France - it's lovely to chat to them comparing cultural differences and seeing Southampton through a visitors eyes.

NaBloPoMo 2 bookcase

Today I woke up feeling pretty good. Tom and I have bought one of those Lumie alarm clock and light combos. Whilst we haven't woken up feeling full of the joys with the light, when we do get up, I don't feel quite so crap. And I definitely feel more wakey in the car on my commute, or at my desk at the office.

It was off to head office today. I enjoyed doing the rounds saying hello to everyone I know from the various teams, and got offered cake and a desk rather than having to use the hot desks which was lovely. I had one formal meeting and lots of ad hoc meetings.

I didn't get to eating lunch today as I had so much to do, so ate it in the car on the way home. Traffic was bad, and I didn't make it back in time to chat to the landscapers who are starting on Monday. Must remember to let the neighbours know.

When I did make it back, Tom had made tasty enchiladas, and Jon and Hannah joined us before dinner, before helping us remove all the books from the bookcase in the study, move the bookcase few inches to the left, before putting all the books back. All because the curtain rail and the bookcase can't be in the same bit of space. They were so helpful, and we reordered the books by genre and author name.

NaBloPoMo 1. Mental health

I nearly forgot about this. But then I remembered and prioritized, as it's delightful having a window on my life stretching back over the years.

Today I worked from my 'home' office, the one I am officially assigned to. I worked on lots of bits of tech support and some planning for next year.

In the evening, I had dinner with Tom before he went to a church event, and I spent the evening doing bits of housework, before watching Mad Men and doing some more work as I was chasing a deadline.

Today's prompt: when you're having a bad day with your mental health, what do you do to help yourself?

My mental health can be quite varied. I've had incidences of deep depression in the past, and of racing anxiety, and of magical thinking. Sometimes I'm not aware of my irrationality, sometimes I can see it, but can't do anything to  stop it, sometimes I can shake myself out of it.

So how well I look myself in these situations depends on that self awareness. Sometimes I let myself have a day of wallowing where I don't push myself and usually sleep lots, then try and get on with things as normal the next day. Sometimes I try and talk to others to test if what I'm being anxious about is realistic. Sometimes I prioritise knitting or going for walk to try and focus on something outside of my head for a while.

Recently I've been struggling with a low level background depression where nothing seemed good and that I was good for nothing. I tried to combat this by organising lots of extra lovely things to do, and buying some new clothes that made me feel more confident.

I don't think I enjoyed all I planned as much as I might have if I'd been well mental health wise, but now that the worst has passed, I do feel like they helped me feel happier.

Birthday cake number six. Last one I promise. 🎂

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2ewEzDd

#london

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2euiPuG

Last birthday hurrah yesterday. #herrontower #sushisamba #herontower #london

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2dMfzJO

Normandy pastoral

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2elExyh

Birthday cake no. 5, and surprise lunch with my darling team.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cW2tWG

Gorgeous mocha from @union roasted at #fom16 fuel for the next session!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cSIqsb

6:29am tea on my way to East London....

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2dIx3os

Fortune def smiling on me, chinese tonight with my siblings.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2dhPgJT

Dahlia joy

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2d8KZNb

Birthday steak and Manhattans

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cSOtzH

30th Birthday Fun

Darling friends and family have been spoiling me rotten. I've been for a long weekend in Mere, a fancy dinner at the Pig in Brockenhurst, and for a weekend away in Brighton. More to come as well!

Birthday cake number 3. Classic victoria sponge.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2crqfK9

Birthday cake number two. Rhubarb mousse, ginger biscuit and champagne.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2d4ILse

We have curtains and carpet in the hall. Boom! And I finished varnishing the floor. #diy

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cWGqBi

Birthday cake number one. Carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cFwiuU

Birthday shoes. #treatyoself

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cnYcB9

Adventures in #millinery new hat made by me

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2cK2PCi

Sandy's socks mark #1 done. Will get to check fit in two weeks time. #knitting #socks

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2chHuh6

Hannah's Mum's chocolate cake recipe

The amounts first up are for a single layer cake in spring form tin that goes up like a volcano. The second, larger amounts are for two normal size victoria sponge sized cake tins, creating a very tall double layer cake; or a traybake as per a brownie tin:

Plain flour                        7oz                         (10.5oz)

Bicarb                              1 tsp                       (1.5 tsp)

Baking powder                  1 tsp                       (1.5tsp)

Cocoa                              2 tbsp                    (3 tbsp)

Soft light brown sugar       5 oz                        (7.5 oz)

Golden syrup                    2 tbsp                    (3 tbsp)

Large eggs                       2                                (3)

Sunflower oil                   150ml                    (200ml)

Milk                                 80ml                       (100ml)

Put all ingredients in at once and mix thoroughly. I use the Kitchenaid for several mins on medium. It makes a sloppy, pouring mixture.

Put in a lined tin and cook at 160 C for 45 to 50 mins. If making the double round sponges, start checking after 25 mins or when it smells done. Gas mark 5. If the middle has risen too much and you don’t want a volcano, saw off the top.

Icing  - melt half a 100g bar of dark 75% chocolate, add a large teaspoon of honey and tbsp butter (approx amounts). Mix till all just melted and glossy, then pour over the cooled cake.

For a birthday cake decorate with white chocolate buttons, minstrels or smarties. 

Alex's notes: Very good with 3 medium beetroot steamed and pureed added.

Housey things.

So the stairs will be carpeted tomorrow, and the hall curtains await alteration. The small bedroom is yellow, and now awaiting a new doorstep.

I have been sanding and varnishing the bottom steps. I think I look like Rosie the Riveter.

Water use? What water use? #wejustdontwash

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2c7c81Q

When your new hat is too big for your selfie #shortgirlproblems #shortarmsproblems -is it hat enough for your nuptials @londonisforliving @amsegall ? :o)

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2bdkW6k

Regram @catherine.p.j.harris who always takes the best photos - 2nd time winning the #duckrace with Ferrari Duck, and in the 10th anniversary race too :o)

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2bg79pq

My knitting matches today's trousers as well. #knitting #socks

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2b6VtWp

Comfort in, Dump out

Found this today: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407-story.html

Really helpful advice on how not to put your foot in it if someone in your life is going through a difficult time. Some people do this instinctively, others need a helping hand

"Draw a circle. This is the center ring. In it, put the name of the person at the center of the current trauma. For Katie's aneurysm, that's Katie. Now draw a larger circle around the first one. In that ring put the name of the person next closest to the trauma. In the case of Katie's aneurysm, that was Katie's husband, Pat. Repeat the process as many times as you need to. In each larger ring put the next closest people. Parents and children before more distant relatives. Intimate friends in smaller rings, less intimate friends in larger ones. When you are done you have a Kvetching Order. One of Susan's patients found it useful to tape it to her refrigerator.

Here are the rules. The person in the center ring can say anything she wants to anyone, anywhere. She can kvetch and complain and whine and moan and curse the heavens and say, "Life is unfair" and "Why me?" That's the one payoff for being in the center ring.

Everyone else can say those things too, but only to people in larger rings.

When you are talking to a person in a ring smaller than yours, someone closer to the center of the crisis, the goal is to help. Listening is often more helpful than talking. But if you're going to open your mouth, ask yourself if what you are about to say is likely to provide comfort and support. If it isn't, don't say it. Don't, for example, give advice. People who are suffering from trauma don't need advice. They need comfort and support. So say, "I'm sorry" or "This must really be hard for you" or "Can I bring you a pot roast?" Don't say, "You should hear what happened to me" or "Here's what I would do if I were you." And don't say, "This is really bringing me down."

If you want to scream or cry or complain, if you want to tell someone how shocked you are or how icky you feel, or whine about how it reminds you of all the terrible things that have happened to you lately, that's fine. It's a perfectly normal response. Just do it to someone in a bigger ring.

Comfort IN, dump OUT."