A cold start to the day...

Cold start to the day as I type this out as plans got altered yet again due to the weather as yesterday we had minor snow that cleared  and now this morning it went below minus 2 degrees and we have ice which means post and amazon deliveries are all being delayed.

Given the last amazon delay saw me gain a delayed delivery vouch, near enough a "rain check" that we used to have I do wonder if this latest delay will earn me another?

I did read this weeks Beano - they've been going with a modified version of the more rounded duo colour sixties logo minus the definitive article on the front masthead - enjoying long stories involving the Bash Street Kids and Rodger the Dodger.

I loved the animated tv Josie and the Pussycats cartoons in the 1970's although tracking down the comics was hard going being American but that scene is believable knowing people who'd insist on having the very sleeping attire they prefer even if it just isn't practical to get it so most of us would either borrow Pj's or sleep in underwear.

There's nothing like folk,eh?

I'll also watch the 1984 End of year review of Blue Peter before that resumes this Friday on CBBC.

Getting set to go

Actually as you read this entry I'm not really here just with other girls and given for one thing I can't carry the proverbial kitchen sink with me and that I don't wish to be distracted by the infernal net tm the Chromebook isn't with me.

I mean even if I wanted a million dresses with me there's no way I carry them with me on the train as we're doing well I'm carrying anything given how things panned out back in 1994 and that diagnosis.

The whole point is really being together enjoying each others company playing, having fun than anything really competitive or being a how many dresses you put on in a day challenge never mind staring into the monitor every spare moment.

With me play is a bit less traditional being more in tune with modern girlhood so the idea of say informal all girl kickabout is very much me in way somethings may not although outdoor stuff is at the mercy of the elements of which there's much speculation as I type this.

However that goes, it'll be good to be away with friends.

Making the most of Winter

 

Things as far as the weather is concerned are taking a turn for the better with much of the ice melted as of yesterday which made getting about rather difficult although having "dragon's blood" as my BFF remarks the cold is not of itself an issue with me so much as the wobbly lower paws to tend to go flying.

Thus it's been a more enforced doing thing indoors kind of a week here, cuddling up to my tatty teddie, making things, watching CBBC, reading comics and that not a million miles removed from how it was in school when it was like this.

I did sit out in the garden a bit on my swing - I just no longer care what anyone else might think about that - just cos I find it very relaxing gently swaying back and forth watching the world go by which certainly beats reading the news websites 24/7.

Hopefully I'll be able to go for longer walks this week as the curbs and roads clear.

Who knows I could go to the shop?

Preparing for Winter

As I write this it is actually a bit cold, I mean when I walked up to the shops I did have to put my grey and white pom pom'd gloves on and actually overnight it had dropped as low as 0.6, a sure sign we are entering winter.

What other craziness we seem to be going through at the minute we haven't had ice or snow as yet even if the other day I spotted a reindeer outdoors and a few window decorations already for Christmas.

This time of year tends to bring out my craving for hot puddings with cream not least hot syrup coated ones.

I like a tree and craziness aside, according to the Council newsletter we will be having a Christmas tree on our green paid for by them even if we might not be all gathered singing around it thanks to restrictions.

February Camp 2020

I was away last week so here's a account of my week away.

For me going to camp was a bit unusual this February in a number of ways of which one was that for all the years I had, the journey involved trains to met with someone who'd then take me with them to the actual venue.

That part was different because where we were going was in the north of Lancashire which is generally to the north of me so actually they'd be very close so they kindly agreed to pick me up enroute which was a matter of just diverting on motorway stop and rejoining.

Well it would of been but for a puncture that had started earlier and required the services of a AA man which meant they were later than expected in getting here on the Saturday but we arrived in time to unload and get our pie and veg tea going while everyone else was on Indian Food.

Sunday saw a group of us go out for a walk in what was the trademark of the week wet and windy weather in Eaves Wood which did result in some mud on my shoes as the ground was soaked to the skin!

It was therefore a good job we called in a local cafe for a drink and a warm.
I helped Miss Green preparing the veg for her Pie, Mash and veg evening meal and the Fruit Salad which was served with ice cream.

Monday saw a group go for another walk, a good four mile round trip one visiting  the Pepper Pot Victoria monument which I was able to photograph as my ten year old Canon Compact had packed up with its sensors having developed a terminal fault  so had to use a bigger less rugged camera instead.

The conditions were arduous, not really suited to me but I made it, flagging at the end and definitely in need tea with sugar.


That you see was really the problem as I was "running out of spoons" to the point I just about got in and had to get to bed immediately cos I didn't have the energy to eat.



I was supposed to have cleared away but when you're not able to eat, that just was not, could not even, happen so sorry if that upset anyone.

 It's a bit of a camp tradition to do a jigsaw or two but this one was hard going being finished near to when some needed to leave.

In the evening Jillian put on a General Knowledge quiz that was well received although I was in bed not really there. Evening meal was a cottage pie made by Mary.

Tuesday I did draw in the Art Class in the afternoon and put on the Cat Girl music quiz whose prize giving will live in Camp history I am assured!  We had a fish (Haddock) and chip evening meal with the odd exception like Cornish pasty.

The Society of Little Girl Engineers were out in force during camp, assembling a big Lego Technics model with a motor. What an achievement !

Later Wednesday morning I did go on short stroll and in afternoon saw some trains at Carnforth, having tea and cake.
By then I had recovered. Evening meal was Karla with Caroline's Steak and Ale hotpot which was delicious reminding me of Lobby, a famous North Staffordshire dish but that is served in bowls with bread.

On the Thursday we came close to not getting to our intended trip to the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway in Cumbria where we had lunch having grabbed seats (I have uses, lol) and went on steam train due to severe overnight flooding. We stopped off at Arnside for a stroll.

Friday was very rough weatherwise so apart from Miss Green who bought a big supply of quality bacon for Bacon Butties we elected to watch Disney movies such as Toy Story 4 and the remake of The Parent Trap plus episodes of Last of the Summer Wine, a gentle Yorkshire based comedy.

We finished off the hotpot reheating using a Microwave oven something that isn't in Miss Green's home kitchen. 

A few people left that afternoon and we left after doing all the checks about nine o' clock arriving here by half past ten with very little traffic issues.

The Midday meals were prepared by Suzy and Daisy being a meat salad buffet all meals with assistance with serving, clearing away and the dishwasher by all who were able.

Thanks to everyone from those who found this new venue, those who booked it  and contributed meals, activities, assistance and the like that made it an enjoyable camp despite the weather.

Winter Littles Camp 2019

This week we go back about a week and a few days while I was away at the UK Littles Camp somewhere in the Midlands for a meet up that turned out a bit different than normal and not just because we were in a different location.

First off setting off on the Friday was chaotic in the extreme for damage near Norton Bridge that caused over 50 minute delays and cancellations on my train and on many others as it affected the whole West Coast Mainline between Scotland and London.
It was more by luck and following gut instinct I found a train within a few minutes to time although technically it too was delayed by over 50 minutes so arrived something like on time as I waited with a friend to pick up another person.

I like taking pictures so when I spotted this view nearby, I was rewarded with this lovely sunset scene that to me sums up Winter with the rolling hills in the background.
Arrival on Friday afternoon was made easier for it being roughly an hours drive from my friends as we went around the countryside and  through a  town  with walled gates that anyone familiar with this part of the Midlands would recognize.
We unpacked meeting Andi, Daisy and Suzy, putting the food we bought for the week away and had lamb shoulder steaks, mashed potato and greens while everyone else had various Indian foods ordered locally before making a bit of start on one of several jigsaws and I read a couple of comic annuals.

Saturday after getting up and helping set things up for breakfast, Miss Green had organized a cake and biscuit making cookery class where various biscuits and cakes were made in animal shapes such as Dinosaurs using moulds and a caterpillar  from swiss rolls covered in pink icing.
Fudge and I decided to make cupcakes - eighteen of them - using a commercial mix to which two eggs, a portion of margarine, milk and flour were added and whisked by hand before going in the oven.
Above is a few that were decorated with icing sugar, the shapes being cut out using a mould.
The midday meals were meat based salad buffets put together by Daisy and Suzy that were much appreciate with fries too.
Saturday saw Jillian's General knowledge quiz complete with pictures of famous stars in their earlier years you had to identify.
We had mainly fish and chips from a nearby chip shop (where else?) for our evening meal Caroline having places the order earlier  and being picked up just after the mad hour at the store.
It may of been had a little later than normal but I think the quality more than made up for it.
Sunday after going out was more a relaxing day and for tea we had various mainly steak based pies mashed potatoes and peas prepared by Miss Green with help from assorted others followed by  Sammy's home made Strawberry cheesecake having been made the day before was served which was delicious.

Across the days several jigsaw were done including a three dimensional Harry Potter one, one of Amsterdam and this one.
A number of people took advantage of this areas outstanding natural beauty - it has an official status to that effect - to go on walks.
Sunday night meant it was time for the "All purrpuss nekomimi Music Quiz" that was hosted by a certain Neko who has a lot to do with this blog that was run in four teams.
Amazingly there was draw so the Neko had to generate a tie-breaker that put Mr Paul's Tone Def's in the lead followed by the LKMFK's.
This was followed by Miss Green's reading of a farmyard story before bedtime, a ritual I very much like.

On the Monday, a good two cars worth of us walked two miles each way from a parking lot to visit the attractive  medieval market town of Ludlow which can be seen here with St. Laurence's church to the left with the castle, which we visited together with the towns market interacting with people.
Although I didn't make the very top, the Normans not really being into disability access, I did with assistance did get beyond ground level which was great for me personally.

This is Clun Castle that a number of us visited on Sunday as Fudge kindly offered take a few us with them which is more a relic of motte and bailey construction, quite a way up for which I did need a fair amount of assistance.
Monday afternoon was taken up with Alice's enjoyable Disney Princess treasure hunt that was staged in the place we stayed going up down a good number of stairs.
In the evening after the Chilli Con Carne that Karla and Caroline had made with cottage pie for one who cannot be doing with spices and rice that was delicious.

A couple of people left on the Monday due to work and related commitments but as unexpected we'd been allowed to stay an extra night and my train had been booked for midday when everyone had left by around ten am Tuesday, Miss Green and I went to the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre to see the exhibit on the ice age Woolly Mammoths that were found at Condover, Shropshire in 1986/7 and how that part of Shropshire had changed over the centuries covering geography, history and agriculture to the present day.
It's interesting to note how this part of Shropshire played an important part in Great Britain and the significance of the Woolly Mammoth find.
This also included a film presentation in a mini film theatre with seating.
We went on to see the meadows plus a short walk that was accessed via the fire doors and returned where Miss Green enjoyed her cream tea and I had a choco pudding with cream all of which were sourced from local producers and made by hand in the pleasant cafe.
We then moved to a nearby rail station to catch my train straight home but not before seeing a freight train come through on platform one and arrive at the biggest and best rail station in the North-west Midlands, hopping into a taxi in minutes straight home.

Doing something like this doesn't take an ocean of organizing necessarily but does require a certain amount of planning and  co-operation which remarkably worked well even though unlike previous times there was no fixed rota with people just helping out as needed even if you were there to relax and enjoy being in little space.
Thanks to the various persons who bought, fixed and served food, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, put on events that made things so enjoyable plus thanks to Suzy for organizing and Miss Green and Andi for finding and checking out the place.
As remarked upon in the main text, this time people really went beyond four walls in large numbers enjoying what the area around where we stayed had to offer both in ones and twos and even going as a group out, carpooling as necessary enjoying that time.
If coming to this place can have that effect, let me say this plain: Unless there's a good reason not to, let's return for another Winter because that wasn't just healthier for being outdoors, it brought people more together. This is what I feel we needed.
From a personal point of view this was easily the most rewarding Camp for not just being out but also for doing more challenging things such as getting about Clun Castle and walking to Ludlow and back being helped along the way.
It may of been difficult but your help doing this was so rewarding so to those who literally pulled me up and along helping me to do things I hadn't managed before many many thanks cos you can't know what that feels like.
Roll on Summer Camp.

A winter wonderland

It's been a bit of  busy week here with a few projects on the go, some work around my few days away in the middle of the month and some stuff involving the way the Government pays my living expenses.
We also did have some old school wintery weather when I went out so I took a few pictures one day and indeed it tried to snow hard on Friday but ceased by noon.

 Looking around after the baa's who'd been taken indoors, the smallholding had a fair coating of snow and almost certainly would of felt frosty under foot as I had to stand on a grass verge sinking into hole to take this picture.
The background is part of a wood that is wider toward the right that survived both road building and increasing encroachment of the built up area in a sensitive part of the North Staffordshire conurbation.

 The "Gatehouse" that leads to a privately owned park, well covered in snow.
I decided against trying to cross the road at that busy and usually dangerous  point in view of the slush and ice on the road.

The entrance to the park that leads to a big estate and a very famous hall, lake and surroundings although much is obscured by road looking very picturesque at this time of year.
At weekends people travel though it to get to the Cricket Ground set in the park for the local club which plays in the North Staffs league to watch them play, enjoying drinks and other light refreshment
In many ways we're most fortunate to have literally on our doorstep such lovely places to walk by and through.

Weird Wintertime

Sometimes the seasons seem well a bit weird to me  having spent part of last week with strong gales that blow rather a lot like next doors fence into the garden  and left the curb side here covered in debris.
Yesterday I even went out wrapped up well walking in the sleet getting very excited!

 Then, that being said having had only on Tuesday some sleety stuff, would you of expected to see the Catkins out? Well when I was out walking late last week as I find it good for my mental health as well as physical fitness I did spot them on our subsiding public meadow that had trees planted on to help stabilize things as everything was starting to fall in a hole.

 Equally in our subsidence hit village would you expect to see Crab Apples growing on the other trees in the middle of Winter although I think the top ones a bit off? Seemingly we do as the birds flutter past this oasis of calm by the main road.

 I was having very much the sinking feeling as I stood trying to steady myself as my shoes were going into the ground but as you can see some even fell off but it didn't look as if they'd been pecked by the local bird population.
No wonder the wildlife feels confused!

The Brrr Edition

This weekend we had something like proper Winter weather sadly not Tundra but better than we've had for a bit which has helped taking my mind of discourse and drama elsewhere with temperatures blow - 2 degrees C (other measurements are available).
You could say those track pants I mentioned last week sure will come in handy trying to stay warm indoors and out.

Yes typical late 1960's site and road layouts abound here apart from having that sinking feeling while walking along the sidewalks not repaired since then(!) showing some of our snow fall.
Our woods are to the rear being between us and one of the two principal roads.

We shovelled some of the snow off but there's still some in the planters and pots

 "Brrr...It's brass monkey weather" our resident ape reckons who escaped from nearby Trentham, Staffs which like most of the county was well covered in it from the outskirts of Sedgley to the top of the Staffordshire Moorlands so he couldn't escape it even if he'd tried!
Another and most little appealing picture appeared during this period shown on the BBC and the Express & Star  newspaper on Friday of the Reindeer at Dudley Zoo out in the snow.

*Picture credits Express & Star
It's too late for a 2018 calendar for them  but I'd pick it for next years in a flash for December's picture.
Just keep warm folks!

Winter Time

Looking out watching the snowfall during the Winter months was always a thing I loved doing the Winter months as the intensity of the bluey-white snow was just so intoxicating, as you saw it fall mounds that later on you would make into snowmen or have playful  snowball fights with.
Sharing the magic of the season, learning to embrace it's possibilities when suitably attired (snow pants anyone?) the zest for a positive approach for life can be nurtured.

Snowbusiness!

What's white, comes by the bucketful and if you were to ask me is really rather fun even if it's a pain for the groan ups with all their considerations around getting into work and shopping?
That's right-Snow!
It might be me and my crazy upbringing but I always look forward to the winter for this powder dry reason: Sleighing, building snowman and having snowball fights really is the most fun plus it's easy to track all the animals and birds that visit your garden cos their footprints are so much the more visible.
You can watch birds arrive for feeding too:

See I'm organized,eh? Plus I have heaps of long socks to keep my legs warm.
 Cold also kills of nasty bugs off to which is no bad thing.

It's a wrap!

Well, the first week of new improved life went pretty well from the ability just to do a bit a work and keep up with the lives of my work colleagues now the crazy world of paid work is over. I had a blast talking with and helping our clients out as I've so much more control over how much I take on.
I was able to spend some more time dealing with sorting out presents for people although as some of you will recall from last year with the current financial situation effecting us all, I have again parred down how much I'm spending as have those who'd usually treat me. I do sometimes wonder if we'd be better of giving more of ourselves all year round instead.
Arrangements have been made to get me to and help me throughout this years works Christmas lunch which usually involve a quiz and various presentations outside of the formal meal.
I also did some more reading last week and will be taking part in this years Winter readathon where we read a set book and discuss together which should be fun as we're tackling the first Secret Seven novel!
I've wrapped up all ready my stuff cos as I think we all know sometimes it can be hard to get folk to get you what it is you really would like for Christmas with people feeling a bit awkward and that, so to avoid that foot stamping angry protest from the Little Girl within, she's been the money to get what she would prefer with the help of her bigger side.
That makes a lot of sense really as Christmas is really important for children.

The New Year 2012 Edition

I usually write an entry on sites and what not around this time of year as kind of reflection on the years events and maybe some clues about where I think I or the site may be headed.
I'm not much good with worms(!) but 353 days ago something pretty big happened and by around 340 days ago the very thing you are reading right now came live.


The scene was "The Meadow" where after a period where other kinds of places just weren't giving me what I wanted, a chance encounter with Prissie gave an hint of a place where I girl like me might belong getting more out of it from where I had been.


It wasn't like a good many places entirely visable for some very good reasons but in the end I placed my trust in Prissie's description, signing up and plucking up enough courage to tell everyone a little bit about what makes me, well me.


That was when I started to learn something about you dear reader as you welcomed me to "The Meadow" around what sort of girl you are, your fashion tastes, interests and so on.


Some of you were using words I wasn't familar with and I guess you weren't familar with mine as B.C to me means a Province in Western Canada not a part of the English Midlands!
It soon became apparent I needed to tell you more about me than a series of jottings ever could and so asked around and looked at some of your sites and having seen LittleKarenMaries place it came to me what this site could be about, not just a all about me site but also a site that shared the LG spirit with readers.


In time this lead to the mention of UK Chat and Sammy who hosts it, which added another dimension because not only was I learning more about you, we were interacting in real time as LG's (apart from a certain Squirrel and a few LB's!) where I'm nearly always dressed in my take of LG cos we're all a bit different.


I described on site the experience of encountering you all as one of the bests gifts I've ever had and I meant it because you all have helped me in ways you may not of realized to freely express my LG self both on line and in everyday life that has made me so happy this year even through the Pawley(tm) days.


So thanks Fellow Meadow people, readers of Sparkle and also thanks to Sammy for IK plus IK Chat and the christmas colouring drawings.
Love Joanne.
P.s. stay tuned folks!

Wrapping up time!

It's started to get colder now and as I like to go out a good deal walking, a form of exercise that not only keeps my weight under control but also keeps me mentally alert thoughts drifted toward new extremity covering garments for the season. The colours are so girlish they're irresistible.
This caught my fancy at Monsoon. Made by Accessorize, it's a thick woollen hat and glove set entitled "Bright Heart & Check chunky Chullo" with the hat being £18 and the matching gloves for £12.

A Winter Wonderland

This time of year is always associated to me  with sledging, snowball fights and making snow men which is what I did when I was younger.
I actually damaged my right shoulder and upper arm in my teens when after coming in from a recess snowball fight I came into the classroom near a radiator  that melted the snow on my shoes. This lead to me slipping!
I still have the irresistible urge to throw snowballs at people and to help kids making their snowmen.

Winter thoughts

 

This time of year has this habit of reminding me of what I always was and am unable to do such as ice skating cos I am unstable on me feet, not that I hold anything against those that can as after all there are things I can do that others cannot.

A bit of it is undeniably the whole feel as you twirl around in skaters dress so elegantly as I live the feel of twirling dresses and skirts, given my gender past that's hardly surprising as what we had to wear never gave you anything comparable although shorts are better than dresses for serious hiking which I did enjoy a lot growing up.

Having passed Guy Fawkes Night and Halloween, my mind is moving towards Christmas, getting presents for people I know apart from what I may get myself of course.

Snow damage [Pre-blog]

Today would of been like normal school day and although I'm in my mid teens I love to dash around the playground playing, rather than hanging out with just a few friends trying desperately to look cool in a line. You could say nothings really changed since I was 12 or perhaps even younger - I'm still just a little kid in lots of ways - but anyway I dashed out to toss snowballs at my friends and dashed back in to avoid the retaliatory volleys  when -slam! - I fall hiding in the stock room where the snow melted from my shoes and I slid by the radiators. 
I know, I was rather silly not to have at least dislodged the snow off my shoes when I can through the door leading to the school corridor -and there were mats for that- but I just don't think at times.
I'm lying there, crying, with my right arm in so much pain I can't easily describe it, It just feels like a lead weight and I can't support it so my friends go with me to the nurse who has me sent to the hospital.
I'm told I've fractured it badly and it has to be strapped up for eight weeks or so which will be fun as we're meant to be taking our mock exams soon. Oh brother!