Well this was a lovely surprise I have been given a beautiful blogger award not ONCE but TWICE!!!!  firstly my lovely daughter http://sutleress.blogspot.co.uk/ and then a special friend of ours (and my honorary no 2 daughter) http://stationery-pigeon.blogspot.co.uk/ I was knocked out by it all.

This was the first I had heard of this award and now need to fulfil the criteria and say 7 things about myself that I haven't already said.

1.  I have said I have a daughter and mentioned her many times, but to me she is not only my daughter but my closest friend and I know we have been through many lives together in various forms and guises. She has been with me through many ups and downs in this present life and I really do not know how I would cope without her.
2.  I love music and to sing although I don't sing as much as I used to. At one time I sang all the time. Luckily I sing tolerably well and having perfect pitch I sing in tune but am not good at singing on my own in public as I forget the words!
3. When I was little my Mum always maintained that I was not shy because I chattered all the time to all and sundry, however as I got older it became a good cover up and when I meet someone new I tend to burble lots. I have absolutely no idea of what I am saying but it is my defence system.
4. What you see is what you get and I try to have no pretence, however it seems that often I come across as more efficient and confident than I really am but I am not sure why, so maybe I do pretend without realising it.
5. I trained for 2 years to be an Occupational Therapist (it was a 3 year course) but was unable to passs my anatomy exam and after 2 attempts gave up.
6. I hope that as I go through this life I can be of help to those I meet along the way.
7. I really do talk a lot of rubbish

so now my nominations

1.  http://sutleress.blogspot.co.uk/ This is of course the daughter as you will know and I chose her for the above reasons and also because she struggles daily with health issues and is brave about it all and is trying so hard to conquer the emotional issues that have arisne from it all. she is an inspiration to us all
2. http://stationery-pigeon.blogspot.co.uk/ This is the other one, she is also an inspiration as she struggles to fight an illness she has had from child hood as you will see if you read her blog. it is a huge undertaking and can only be won a little step at a time (well to us but to her horrendously huge) I admire her guts tremendously
3. http://morgaine-le-fays-textiles.blogspot.co.uk/ A fantastic blog (and friend) about Antique fabrics and other things worthy of any award.
4. http://crystaljigsaw.blogspot.co.uk/ I do not personally know this lady but I love her writing and the way she deals with what life throws at her, and the way she never gives up.
5. http://curiositything.blogspot.co.uk/ another friend but this time a young friend (young enough to be my grandaughter). I like her style of writing and she is a lovedly young lady.
6. http://the-panopticon.blogspot.co.uk/ Again the stylke of writing and the subjects are interesting, I logged onto this through another friend and just like to read it.
7. to be added as I am not following anyone else at the moment.

                                                      This is what to do now:

Put down seven facts about yourself,

You link to the blog of the person who nominated you,

You link to seven bloggers who you think deserve the award,

You let those bloggers know they have been nominated.

 Simple as that. I look forward to reading your facts xx

The weekend just past was the first reenactment of the season for me and mine (but only the daughter came as the grand children were with their fathers) so we went off to Caldicot castle in Wales for the bank holiday. We had a good time meeting up with some old friends and some new. it was a bit watery at times and we ended up packing up in thre rain on Monday and also having to cancel our "Wars of the roses in 20 minutes" as the arena was far too slippery and totally unsafe which was a shame, it had been fun doing it on the Sunday!
Our Group won a prize for the Best Reenactment Group which was fantastic and on sunday evening we went to the castle to have a dance and I had a jive for the first time in about 20 odd years it was fun but breathless!
The drive to and fro went very well and was relatively stressless.
the daughter and I really enjoyed ourselves as we always do when we do reenactment and are looking forward tho the next one which is much more local ie Badlesmere in Kent
Until then a craft fair and more sewing and a museum sponsored walk and goodness knows what else! Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

Keeping Busy

I haven't felt much like blogging the last couple of weeks, but they have been busy none the less, knitting sewing and attending hospital twice in the last week ....not for my self but the grandchildren! The Granddaughter sprained her ankle (again) so there we were at A&E. Luckily it was an xray and all ok but you have to check especially when told "I heard it click" and the ankle is a monstous size and very hot and red!
The Grandson had a proper appointment due to numerous nose bleeds lasting a bit too long for comfort. He had his nose cauterised and now claims it is nowbionic because they use Silver Nitrate  to seal the necessary area.
It is my turn on Wednesday am for the faulty knee, will probably discuss the injection I had last time which was agonising and left me unable to walk for over half a day (not good when you are supposed to go to work!)  It was a pain free couple of months or so afterwards tho I have to say but for 2 months pain free? although I must also say the pain comes and goes in varying degrees so I don't know.

I have started (or should I say restarted) a Landsknecht jacket for one of my reenactment friends and have been discussing style and what to do. The back is done and fine (see abvoe), the front has 3 possibilities so he is having to decide.
To the left is the one discussed today but then I wasn't sure if it looked right. It will be slashed and have colours pulled through the slashing so will not look so plain at the end. to the right was the oroginal ide when discussed quite a while ago. to open down the side and again have slashing

this is the third, diagonal sripes one side and straight stripes the other again it will be slashed with colour pulled through (to be decided) the sleeves are still to be discussed whether to keep to the original idea of alter it.
It is an interesting project and is keeping me occupied.

                             Watch This Space

This weekend ws an ok weekend. We had a Craft Fair on Saturday at St Barnabus Church, (we being myself, the Mother and the Crafty Claires) and it went well. We sold a fair few jams,and chutneys and some knitted bits and the Crafty Claires sold some cards and other bits. We got our table money and a bit over and that is fine by us.
On Sunday I did some potting on in the garden, it was a bit chilly but nice to be outside. I potted on tomatoes, cucumbers, and red and yellow peppers, split and planted out some carnations and potted on some carnation cuttings that I had taken from some pretty cut flowers that we had, I cannot remember the colour though so it will be a surprise if and when they bloom. In the evenings on both days I knitted accompanied by the tv and the Mother. it is amazing how the kniiting grows when watching tv. However I really must get some sewing done too.

Every school holiday a friend and I make sure we go out together either for the day or an afternoon. We both lead similar busy lives, we work at a residential special needs school but this year on different living houses so we don't see each other at work much, maybe for 5 mins during the week. We both live with our elderley mothers and we both have children and grandchildren, I have a daughter who is not so well and she has a daughter-in-law who suffered a very serious brain tumour and although is ok now, well who knows what the future holds.
So a couple of days ago it was lovely and sunny so we went to visit Pashley Manor Gardens in Ticehurst
http://pashleymanorgardens This is the front of  the house which has a Tudor Facade.

Front of the house.

There has been a house there since the 1200's but this  is from the 1500's, however as it is a

Rear of the house.

family home it is not open to the public, but the gardens are beautiful and well worth a visit or several.
  The garden lies ammongst some of the rolling countryside on the Kent/Sussex Border and the vistas are
wonderful. There is also a lot of statuary and wood carvings and as you walk throught the different areas you suddenly come across them and I went a bit mad photographing lots of the wooden faces, If you would like to see all the photos I took please feel free to look on my Flickr page. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14732552@N03/sets/72157629434579060/
To the left is one of the first statues we saw (apart from the one coming down the drive and I was so surprised because it is different and so full of life To the right is a sample of the carved faces. this is probably not the best, but I liked it because it reminds me of the old fashioned pictures of the wind blowing. Below is a picture of a black swan which we saw to our great surprise as we walked aound one of the lakes.
Later we saw another and under the foliage at the edge of the lake first one and then another cygnet.I have never see black swans before and we heard the (we assumed) mother calling too.
All in all we had a lovely time pottering in the sunshine and they have a nice cafe where the cakes are huge! It doesn't come any better.

Yesterday was my Mother's Cousin's birthday and today I went to see her with the cards and presents as she was out when we phoned yesterday. The cousin is the youngest of my Mother's cousins being the daughter of my Grandfather's youngest sister, who got married in 1932 and the point of this waffle is that today I was given  the christening gown that was made out of my Great Aunt's wedding dress. My cousin has no children to leave it to and her brothers have never been interested, so as she knows I am a seamstress and that I love historical costume (as does my daughter) she is happy for me to have it and keep it in the family. Any one who wishes to see more pics please feel free to visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/History-Stitchery/227351787300111

I was also given the stockings she wore for the wedding and a nightdress case made for her by my Great Grandmother but I don't know when it was made so have no idea how old it is. Again there are more pics at the above address. at a later date I will also be given the family bible as she knows another of my interests is family history and I have done a lot of research into my family.

Proud Nanny Moment

I was so proud of the Grandson last night. He belongs to the local Astronomy Club (http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Sussex-Astronomical-Society-ESAS/110752942323841 ) and is by far the youngest member. At the end of last week he went on a school trip to Space Camp in Belgium and had a wonderful time doing all sorts of things (see also http://sutleress.blogspot.co.uk/ for pics). Last night at the ESAS meeting some of his pics were shown and he stood in front of a hall full of people and said a few words about each picture.Tthe whole thing was filmed and pics taken and he had 2 microphones attached to him one for the sound system and one for the camera. If he was nervous it didn't show and he got a couple of laughs. He sounded so grown up and confident, it was just fantastic. His Mum and I popped in for the talk and we are both so proud of him.

Start of the Easter Hols

It has been a busy weekend. On Saturday I wasn't to good (headachey) in the morning so I stayed bed as I was to go out in the evening. The Grandaughter came to stay with Mum as the Daughter and I were going out together. We had a belated celebration of the Daughter's 35th birthday and 6 of us went from here to the dog racing at Hove. We were joined by one friend from Brighton, but unfortunately others couldn't make it which was quite disappointing. We had a good time non the less and all said we would do it again it was good fun. Got back about midnight and the Daughter (and Grandaughter) stayed over.

On Sunday it was the Daughter's turn to not feel good, she hadn't slept well which is unusual when she is at mine, so she stayed in bed. I did some sewing continuing the medieval kirtle I started a short while ago and it now needs another fitting before I can proceed. I also cut out a petticoat (now know as a skirt) for the Grandaughter and also one for myself for some Napoleonic costume I will be making and also did a bit in the garden. Unfortunately my back is now telling me all about it .

In the evening I relaxed with my knitting and the tv and watched the first part of Silent Witness which I like but don't often watch as it is always in 2 parts and with the shifts I work I often miss bits and so I don't bother. it was all in all a good weekend.

First time in an Ambulance!

It is finally the Easter Holidays and the students all went home today. At one stage I thought one of them would not get the coach as we were stuck in the hospital where the student had been taken by ambulance that morning having been poorly the previous night and again in the morning. I was chosen to travel with him, possibly as I had been with him during the previous evening and was around the next morning. We had to wait some time to see a Dr as the A&E was fairly busy. I have every admiration for the staff who work there and who work in the hospital generally as it is always busy and they work so hard and are always cheerful and kind. Eventually we saw the doctor and were able to get a taxi back to the school. However the coaches were due to leave at 1 and as it was 12.45, I thought we would not make it. Luckily they decided to hold the coach back and wait for the student who then got on having had no breakfast or dinner. They said however they would have some food available on the coach and I hope the student got home safely and was not poorly again!
It was a very different work shift from the norm and a first for me going in an ambulance where the medics were lovely to the student.
We do see life as my Mother would say!

Catch Up

It has been a busy couple of weeks really. We went to Bedgebury on Mothering Sunday and managed to get Mum out on her scooter only to have the battery die two thirds of the way up a hill (as described in http://sutleress.blogspot.co.uk/ ) meaning daughter had to go get help, but it was hilarious and could only happen to us.
We are all busy making stuff for the next craft fair which is on the 14th April at St Barnabus Hall in Bexhill and at the weekend the daughter and I went to Brighton to a Vintage Craft Fair and got some lovely buttons and some new ideas for crafts. It was a beautiful day and afterwards we went to visit a friend and went for a walk along the sea front in the sun and had a lovely catch up.
So on we go and watch this space for pics of the latest project when completed.

Reiki Class

This evening as a Reiki master I attended a reiki lesson at the local college to do some workwith the present class who are nearing the end of their Reiki Level 2. They are a powerful group and the energy was running high, it was an excellent session. We started by sending distance reiki to whichever country we felt needed it and then moved on to master and student doing reiki on each other.  A very good evening.

Tomorrow is an open day at YouNique and I will pop in and give my support and do some reiki if it is required with our without the crystals I sometimes use. It is turning into a busy week!

Craft Fair

Today was the first craft fair of the year, and this year Mum and I are joined not only by the Daughter who is making the chutneys for us but also another crafting friend who makes beautiful 3D cards. Between us we had 3 tables, with knitted good on one (Mum and I), Jams, Marmalades and Chutneys on another (Mum, Daughter and I) and cards, scarves and bags on the third (Daughter and Friend) You can follow the girls on http://thecraftguide.blogspot.com. 
We did ok on the jam table but not very well on the others. Still this is the first time we have been to a Craft Fair at St Barnabas Church in Bexhill so it was a start and we will be returning there on the 2nd saturday in April.
On our return we had a chat and a laugh and then dinner which had been cooking in the slow cooker all day (What a wonderful invention!)
It was a good day thankyou all.

Family Members

I am interested in Family History and genealogy too and http://www.facebook.com/genesreunited asked for pics of women members for Mothers day so I uploaded these two