photos for 65

Dat 336 New Years Eve:

The last day of our challenge and I'm feeling sad but also looking forward to next years Challenge.
I'd like to wish you all a HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR and look forward to seeing you all next week on our new site.

Day 365 Sunday 30th December:

The penultimate day today. I can't believe it. Not very long ago it seemed like forever before the year would end and now it is on top of us. I'm feeling a bit sad even though we are carrying on next year.
I think I should have a new blog as Roland and I will no longer be 65 but I'm short of ideas for a title at the moment. I will be glad when all the festivities and rich food are over as the rich food does affect my body and mind for the worse. I have loved seeing the family and their celebrations and every bit of tiredness is worth it.

Day 364 Saturday 29th December:

Another quiet day today. We went to see Marion, who got back from her daughters on the 27th. Mr Dewhurst, the owner of the Estate Agents had come to see mums house that afternoon so she told us about what he had said. He was very surprised at the size of the house and garden and she said she could see the cogs whirring in his head about what to do about the sale.
While she and I were away there were 2 different people look at it and she showed a man round herself yesterday, so there is some interest in the house.
She also gave us news about her son in law who is getting around but cannot do any work on the farm, making life very difficult for the rest of the family.

On the way home I managed to get Roland to take me to Abercan, where I bought some more fleece for the other quillows I am going to make.

Day 362and 363 Thursday 27th and Friday 28th December:

We had some friends come for dinner yesterday. We decided to have Beef for the meat so we went shopping in the morning.

Barbara has been a friend for a long time. She lived next door to us until she met Dave, got married and moved. Roland used to babysit for Barbara when her children were younger, so he has known her a lot longer than I have.

We had a lovely evening catching up and reminiscing. It was after 10.30 when they left so I didn't have time to blog.

Claire got home from hospital today, they needed her bed so they sent her home and sent someone to the house to see how they could help her at home.

Today we have had a very quiet day which we really needed





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Day 361 Wednesday, Boxing Day:

We really had a good day yesterday and thank you for asking we did enjoy our desert.

Today Roly, Louise and Oliver came for the afternoon. Once again Roland cooked the meal. Brenda and I had an ordinary dinner, Little Oliver had chicken nuggets and Roland, Roly and Louise had a curry dinner - Onion Bhajis, Naan Bread, Rice and Tikka Masala.
Oliver had 6 large chicken nuggets a couple of cocktail sausages and some carrots. He ate it all then tried some of daddys curry and ate a whole packet of crisps. He had to take the buns I had made home.
He was delightful today. We had bought him a road mat for christmas and he got the cars out and played with that for a long time.
He took a real shine to Brenda and sat next to her for a while pretending he was taking Brenda and I flying because he was a dragon. We did a lot of wooshing and landings. He had his arms about both of us. Then he took us shopping and we went to Tescos, Aldi, Asda and Sainsburies. We even went to Costa for a coffee. Daddy says he now knows what mummy does while he is at work.

Day 360  Tuesday, Christmas Day:

I had a lovely lie in this morning but when I got up Roland told me Claire was in hospital. She went in last night because she couldn't breathe.  The hospital have taken blood tests and found she is very anaemic and B12 deficient. She has to have 2pints blood transfusion but apparently her blood is a rare group so she has to wait til tonight for it to be delivered.
I collected clothes and toiletries for her and went to see her. Roland saw to her cat made sure it had plenty of food and I'll go and clean its tray out tomorrow. Claire had received a christmas present from the ward and free TV for a few hours, she'd had her Christmas dinner before I arrived so I don't need to worry about her. She will be in there at least till Wednesday when I assume a specialist will see her.

My friend, Brenda arrived at the house about 2pm. She is staying for Christmas dinner and staying overnight.
We haven't opened our presents yet but will do that after dinner.  We've eaten our first course and are waiting for that to go down before we have our dessert.

Day 359 24th December:

Christmas Eve. Hurrah.

I've started the trifle, we're having that instead of Christmas Pudding. I still need to ice the Christmas cake but I don't do any thing fancy so that won't take me long.

Claire is going to take me to Jaynes and Nikkies so I can swap the Christmas presents then feet up for the rest of the evening.

 I've not sent cards because of the price of the stamps.

Day 358. Sunday 23rd December:

Shaun popped in this lunch time to see us while he was up here. He's going home tomorrow night after he has seen all his friends.

After that I went to see Cath and Mark to take their cards I delivered Caths presents to Nikkie then took Nikkie to see Jayne so they could exchange their presents.
When I got home Jayne rang me to say I had left Joe and Sians presents with them and given Nikkie Amber and Leos presents. So I will have to go and sort it out tomorrow.

I have my feet up now and am waiting for Joanna Lumley to come on the TV

Day 357 Saturday 22nd December:

We spent the morning with Jen and Jim, Christopher and Alistair. Then set off home in the pouring rain. It rained all the way down and Roland had to stop for a nap at Tebay. He's never had to do that before.
We arrived home at about 4.30 and the phone has hardly ever stopped ringing since. It looks like I've got a busy day tomorrow.

Day 356 Friday 21st December:

We were aked last night when we wanted breakfast.The hotel served it between 7am and 9am. We'd thought as late as possible so we sat down at 9am. The young girl who made and served our breakfast thanked us for having at that time as it meant she could have a lie in.
Roland had Full Scottish Breakfast along with cheerios and I had a huge plate of Scrambled Eggs and Bacon which set us both up for the day.
We went down to Jen and Jims house after I'd bought some PVA glue and some plastic scissors as we are crafting later this afternoon.
We went to Christophers school Christingle Service early afternoon. It was in the local church which used to be the chapel of the "big house" at Ford but is now the village church.

The church was freezing but the children were wonderful.

Day 355 Thursday 20th December:

We arrived at Jens about 4pm. We stopped in at the Hotel in Coldstream to book our room and leave our case.
When we got there Christopher was home from school. It was lovely to see them all. Christopher and Alistair never stopped talking from the moment we got there till they went to bed. They had to show us everything especiallly the things they had made for Christmas.

Day 354 Wednesday 19th December:

Another busy day today. I went with Claire to the job centre then we went to Aldi to do a bit more shopping.
Rolands exwork mate came this afternoon as she has now retired herself so they had a good natter and catchup.
After dinner I popped down to the capital centre and finished the shopping I needed to do before we go to see Jen and family tomorrow
I am so excited to be going to see them. We haven't seen them since July and it seems ages ago.
I think I'm packed and ready to go in the morning so we'll get off as soon as we can. We'll be coming back on Saturday but I'm taking the laptop so I'll be able to keep in touch.

Day 353 Tuesday 18th December:

Today has been a lot quieter today. This morning I went for a bone scan as I was asked to take part in a trial for osteoporosis. I went for a scan about 3 years ago and the bone density is slightly worse in my spine but slightly better in my hip which is great news. It's not for the trial though as my bones are too good for me to join that.

I went to have my hair done this afternoon but didn't get sewing today. Dinner is cooked so I don't have much more to do today

Day 352 Monday 17th December:

What a day today. Library this morning, then off to Sainsburys to meet an old friend. Steve used to volunteer with us at Cuerden Valley Park clearing  Rhododendren bushes out and burning them as they were taking over the Park. We also had little allotments in the walled garden. Talking today it must be over 18 years ago as he has a son who is now 17. We were all good friends of Elspeth who was the Ranger of the park then.
After that we went to the office to take some presents, then shopping, then home to make tea and wrapping some more presents, baking my fruit cake and some sponge cakes for a trifle.
This is the first time I have sat down today.
At the library I found a book called "cute creatures to knit and crochet". Looking at it tonight I have found a lovely pattern of a cat that I am going to knit for Sian. Last year her mum said she wanted a cat doorstop and I couldn't find one anywhere, plenty of dogs but no cats. So when I found a cat doorstop I bought it for this year. Unfortunately when I came to wrap it I read the label and it said that it wasn't suitable for anyone under 14 so that present is no go.
The picture of the cat is also ideal for todays prompt. I did take a picture of the sky this morning as it was pouring with rain and the sky was

Day 351 Sunday 16th December:

The Third Sunday of Advent and I didn't get to church today. We have been without a Vicar since the summer but I have been told that we will get a new one in February. I have tried to support the church while there has been no vicar but haven't managed to get very often.

Today has been baking again, wrapping a few presents and getting the tree out of the loft.
Roland has cleaned and cleared the conservatory from top to bottom, with a little help from me.
He also has assembled the tree and put the lights on it. Tomorrow I will put the decorations on.
I remember when we started this year of blogs I used the tree for our test.

I'm finding it difficult to get a picture for todays word as my wealth is in my family and my friends. I seem to have put photos on my blogs over the year that cover them.

Day 350 Saturday 15th December:

It's been a wet day again today. I baked a couple of sponge cakes and did my ironing so I'm getting there with my preparations for Christmas. Tomorrow the conservatory needs to be cleared and cleaned ready for the tree. I've been putting off getting it out as I hate having to put it together. Last year Leo helped but this year I'm going to have to do it on my own this year.
I will make some buns next and mix lots of pastry. I can freeze it and get it out as and when I need it over Christmas.
I made a mess of our computer earlier as I thought I was disconnecting my memory stick and I deleted a hard drive. Roland was not amused but he has managed to get it back. He'll be watching me like a hawk every time I go on the computer from now on.

Day 349 Friday 14th December:

Today I took Catherine to see Jayne. Cath had got loads of presents to take and loads of bags to bring back. Caths partner Mark has a niece who is due any time and Jayne was sending her loads of baby clothes and the rest of the crib she has given her.
Jayne was on her own as she had worked last night and Leo had taken the children out so she would be able to sleep. We had to go when we did as Cath is working tonight. When we got there Jayne was lying on the settee with her quilt over her and Jasmine the dog lying on top of that keeping Jayne warm. She hadn't gone upstairs as she has hurt her back at work and is finding the stairs difficult. Cath turned on the heating for her and we left her to get some sleep.
On the way back we went to a meat warehouse and I bought a turkey roll and a piece of Gammon at a very good price. I know the meat will be good quality as they supply the catering trade and have just opened to the public.
Claire came round in the afternoon  and we made arrangements for what we are doing over the next few days.
While we were doing this Roland was over in York helping Pete to board some windows in a house that had been on fire. Pete had been asked to do the job as there was no one over there to do it. I assume all the boarding companies over there are busy boarding up flooded premises.
I feel so sorry for every one who has had their home destroyed and will not be able to celebrate Christmas at home.

Day 348 Thursday 13th December:

I had a good rest this morning then my friend Brenda came this afternoon.
Roland and I went over to mum's tonight to see Marion before she goes down to stay with her daughter for Christmas. It doesn't look very good for Stephen, Marions son in law, as his cancer is very bad. Not a good Christmas for them this year.
On the way home we went shopping for some cake ingredients and took photos of some of the Christmas Fare on the shelves.

Day 347 Wednesday 12/12/12:

I'm exhausted tonight. We were out this morning,went for another Christmas Lunch,then went to see our grandson. We were only going to stop for about an hour but have only just got in.

The meal was lovely at a restaurant called "The Boatyard" overlooking the canal. The view was great the food was good and the people were wonderful company.
I should be going to a meeting in the morning but I have rung to cancel it as I need a lie in.

Day 346 Tuesday 11th December:

I've finally caught up properly today.

This morning I went to a Womans Health Exhibition on behalf of our group. Then after lunch I went sewing and finished the quillows.

I've posted the Christmas cards which is early for me and I intend to write my Christmas letters tonight.

I'm watching "Last Tango in Halifax".

Days 340 - 345. Wednesday to Monday:

I've never had to catch up so many days before and I'm finding it quite stressful. I don't like it at all.

Wednesday there was hardly a spare minute. Roland and I went to a christmas lunch in a restaurant in Padiham. then we went to get the makings of the bird table (10% off senior citizen day) then after dinner the group had the last meeting of the year at Bamber Bridge with nibbles and carols. A very busy but good day.