Monday, March 31, 2008

Nearly there

Well I worked hard all weekend to finish the tiling and I’m nearly there.  Need to complete the grouting, but the adhesive needs time to dry thoroughly first, and I need to refit the loo, but there’s a “donut” washer I need to get first as the original is in a bit of a state.  Then it’s done.  It was hard work and took two days to cut and fit all the edging tiles, as the skirting was tiled aswell.  It was messy - I was covered in dust from the saw - but it looks really professional - I think.  I doubt people will notice as the tiles are very similar to the ones that were there before, except without the cracks and the bodged fitting.  Very proud of myself.
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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Getting there

Last weekend Kieran and I started to take up all the ceramic tiles in my ensuite.  The previous owners had put them down and some parts had been bodged and a couple of tiles had small cracks, plus the grout was on its last legs.  Initially I planned to cover them over with cork tiles, but the instructions said dont lay them on top of ceramic tiles!  So I spent ages trying to work it all out and convince my self I could do it.  My biggest concern was cutting the tiles as if we did it properly there would be a lot of cutting all the way round the edge.  Wickes had a sale and I bought an electric tile cutting table saw.
So Kieran and I (mainly Kieran as it made him feel manly) worked for two days to get all the old tiles up.  A few came up really easily because they had been laid so badly, but some had to be chipped away bit by bit.  We then managed to lay all the tiles that didn’t need cutting and left the adhesive to dry.  Kieran is with his dad this weekend so I have spent the morning cutting tiles.  Still got loads to do but the saw works brilliantly, no broken tiles.  Only trouble is the blade rotates through a water tray, and sprays water everywhere.  I dont have a full face mask nor waterproof overalls so have got rather wet.  But so far so good.  Am hoping to get them all cut today if I can, and hopefully laid.  Only trouble is although I do lots of DIY and like to push myself with it, something always goes wrong, or doesn’t quite work.  Apart from getting wet all is going well, so am keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way.
Will be nice to have it all done.
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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Was that Easter?

What an odd Easter!  Not only was it so early that no one was prepared (the TV schedules for example were boring and didn’t reflect the fact that it was a big holiday) but the weather made it feel all very odd.  We had snow blizzards on the Saturday and by Sunday morning 4-5 inches of soft white snow.  The winds were bitter and fierce making walks unpleasant most of the time.  And it all went so quickly.

Kieran’s school holiday started on the Thursday before Easter and he doesn’t go back until 8 Spril, but Ben, in Kent, doesn’t start his end of term holiday until this Friday so Easter was just a long weekend.

As much as I hate snow in the normal course of events (it usually snows on or around my birthday) because it’s wet and slushy and cold and slippery and generally unpleasant, I did find it very nice for just a couple of hours on Sunday morning.  Being Easter Sunday it was lovely to be up early out walking with Pebbles in fresh crisp snow, with no one else about, wrapped up warm and knowing the kettle was on when I got back.  It was quiet at that time anyway but the snow blanket muffled all the sounds and made our area seem so different from usual.  Pebbles loved it!  Kieran and his friend Derek who had stayed over the night before both spent two hours in the snow making a snowman, snowball fighting and making angel patterns with their arms on the trampoline whilst laying on their backs in the snow.  Of course they got wet and cold but hot chocolate and the fire soon sorted that.  Then everything strated to melt, the patio got slushy and icey, the wind picked up and my moment of snow love came to a very quick end.  But it lasted far longer than ever before.

The snow didn’t do the frog spawn we spotted in Basil Green pond any good.  I hope the late cold snap doesn’t affect the frog population and they are able to do some late spawning to catch up.

Larkrise to Candleford came back to finish the series, and very good it was too.  Usually Dr Who starts at Easter but this year they have only just started the advertising, so have that delicious delight to look forward to.

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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Dancing

Didn’t watch Dancing on Ice final, went to watch 10,000 yreas BC instead - partly because Gareth was voted off last week so I had no incentive to watch.  I think I heard that Suzanne won, which is better than smug Chris - judges said he didn’t know how good he was, rubbish of course he did!  The movie was better than I thought & better than missing GG on DOI.

What happened to Larkrise to Candleford?  I didn’t think it had finished and was replaced by the Passion which could have been shown at Easter!

If anyone reads these mutterings please leave a comment so I know I’m not alone in cyberspace.  Ta

Posted by Inez at 20:35:56 | Permalink | No Comments »

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Fantastic News

Had a busy weekend with some exciting stuff to report but will do that later in the week.  But I mus report that my friend Debs has had her baby.  She must have been very busy and tired over the last few days as I had to track the info down from various sites but she had a boy called Luke Kian Matthew weighing 6lb 11oz in the early hours of Thursday.

Congratulations to Debs & Matt, it sounds like mum and baby are doing well.

Posted by Inez at 22:00:53 | Permalink | No Comments »

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Anxiously waiting to hear whether my friend Debs has had her baby yet.  It was due two days ago but she’s not been online and her blog not updated yet.  Fingers crossed all is well and who knows, she may be in the middle of it all right now.
Posted by Inez at 13:22:52 | Permalink | No Comments »

Training

Had some excellent training on Saturday at Froglife on identification of amphibians and surveying methods, in preparation for surveying ponds.  I always learn something new, although Kieran thinks he already knows it all!  First time he’s ever taken notes though (he’s allergic to writing!)
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Saturday, March 8, 2008

Good news, I think

Had a call from the police last night.  They have now arrested and charged the boy that threw the brick at Kieran’s head back in January.  Its taken so long because Kieran couldn’t identify which boy threw it as he was walking away, and there were no witnesses or other evidence.  However, two boys, presumably from the group, have made video statements identifying the lad that did it.  The cuprit is only 11 and apparently has behaviour & learning difficulties and goes to a special school that I’m not familiar with.  He had previously denied the actions and continued to do so, but a trip to Thorpewood Police Station in the cage in the van (mum was in front) and sight of the cells made him rethink and he admitted the offence.  It seems he was angry about something but the officer couldn’t get to the bottom of why.  Although the lad, who I can’t name for obvious reasons, is known to the police locally as a “gobby lad” he hasn’t any prior convictions.  In theory he could have been given a reprimand but the nature of the offence means he has to go straight to a Final Warning.  This is where he will have to been seen by the Police Officer seconded to the Youth Offending Service who will work out a plan for him.  It will also identify any help he and his mum need (there was no mention of dad).  He may even do reparation, which would of course mean some work with my friends at Froglife.  Unfortunately he now has a criminal record that he will carry for life.  Which of course sets all my guilt strings going.  But I hope this will lead to the right help to ensure he doesn’t do this again.  I also offered, having spoken to Kieran, that if considered appropriate Kieran would meet him for a “hand shake”.  I believe its important to set a good example of behaviour and Kieran is generous enough to agree that this would be a good idea, especially as he may meet him or his friends in the area again.

Anyway, I hope it has all ended well.  The police obviously did a good job at eventually persuading the witnesses to make statements because without them it would remain “unsolved”.  Kieran is satisfied, and I just hope this boy can get back on the right track.  Having said that I am a big believer in the role of the parent/carer and although I understand mum has brought up other children successfully that doesn’t mean she doesn’t need help this time.

Inez

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Friday, March 7, 2008

Hop along!

Kieran has been making a sterling effort the last three days by “walking” home from school with friends, although hopping along on crutches is a better way to look at it.  But fingers crossed and he will soon be off them altogether and back to cycling both ways.  Cant wait.

Collected a Playstation bag yesterday from a member of our local online “freecycle” group.  If you don’t know it’s internet based and members locally put items up for offer where ordinarily it would go to landfill, or if lucky to charity.  All items are exchanged free.  I have put quite a few things up myself and keep an eye open for useful items.  I have even put up wanted ads because sometimes people dont knowthey dont want something until someone else asks.  I managed to get audio books for my nan that way.  If you are not already a member I recommend joining your local group here:  http://www.freecycle.org/

Go save the planet!!

Posted by Inez at 16:29:50 | Permalink | No Comments »

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Bones and Muscles

Kieran went back to the hospital today.  Bone all ok now but the tendons are still healing so still on crutches for a couple of weeks while he gradually increases the amount of weight bearing.  He can take the ankle brace off when he feels comfortable, so he has said he will try to go without both at home, but is nervous about it at school until he feels he has built up a bit of his muscle again.  Off swimming tonight to start getting him moving.

Our friend Amy (Mel’s daughter) doesn’t want to be outdone - so I hear she has broken her arm at school yesterday!  Apparently she did the other arm a few years ago so now has a matching set.  Get well soon Amy!

Posted by Inez at 13:12:16 | Permalink | No Comments »