We won't be having shingles on the roof

What, have they got that far already? No, they haven't got quite that far, but it is coming on nicely. The reason I've put that as the title, is because I've got shingles (as some of you may know already). It started last Thursday or Friday with painful skin, and I had a few little spots on Sunday. Over the weekend I couldn't bear leaning back against anything, or even having the duvet brush against me. The word 'shingles' just came to me on Sunday night, and after a bit of research on the internet, it seemed to me that the symptoms were all there. Keith didn't think so. When I went to see the doctor on Tuesday, she confirmed my suspicions. I've slept quite a bit recently - most of yesterday in fact. I've got codeine tablets to help with the pain in addition to ibuprofen. The pain is worst in the morning (when the painkillers have worn off). It's on my left side, which doesn't help - being left-handed. I'm glad that I can't remember having chicken pox - this is most unpleasant. So that is the reason we won't be having shingles on the roof! Not that we were going to have shingles on the roof anyway.

So - progress on the house. The back is really coming along quickly - you can really see it in this picture on the right. The window frame that they are building around on the right as you look at the picture is my sewing room! I'm quite excited about it all - thinking how I'll decorate it, what furniture I want in there, and how much more sewing I'll be able to do! (I know that this will NOT be the case, but it is a nice thought, and we will be spending future holidays in this country, which will give Keith more time for golf, and me more time for quilting!

The photo on the left shows the work at the back, taken from the front of the house. The dark grey blocks in the middle of the picture show were the downstairs toilet will be. The picture was taken earlier in the week - on Wednesday to be precise, and the photo above was taken today, whilst writing this blog. The photo on the left shows the work has just started on building over the dining room windows - the bottom windows in the picture above are the dining room windows. They are progressing quite quickly - it's great being able to see them at it. Keith tells me that he went out on the scaffolding yesterday to have a look.

The photo on the right shows the progress from the side, and you can see the wall for the dining room toilet, and the blocks ready for building the first floor. The doorway looking through to the dining room is going to be a patio area.

The photo on the left here is the view from the dining room into the extension. I like to spend a little time looking at this, I start thinking about the size of the dining room. It's funny how an empty room can seem smaller than a furnished room - and vice versa - although the vice versa is just common sense I suppose.

The front of the house is coming on too. The photo on the right shows how the brickwork is coming on up the side, and the photo below shows the same area, but looking from the window in the kitchen. This room is going to be the study, and each time I look at it, I wonder if it's going to be big enough. At least one of the walls will be filled with books - so I suppose we could call it the library, or the reading room! It will be a fine size for Keith and I to work in, which is all we need. Some of you may be asking why we need a study when we'll have a large dining room, a music room and I'll have a sewing room. WELL, having lugged bags of books up the stairs in this flat, I don't intend doing it again. It will be much better to come in the front door, put the bags and books in the study, and have somewhere that we can retreat to, to get urgent work done. It will also give me room to do my examining in peace and quiet.

That is it for the post at the moment. I've got to get on and quilt Caro's quilt - I'm hoping that there is a package for me at the house - I've had to order some more thread, as I'm not sure that the reel I'm using will last the whole quilt - I'm using the same thread in the bobbin as I am on the quilt top. Keith has taken a couple of photos of me quilting the thing, so once Caro has got her present, the rest of you will be able to see it! I've also finished quilting the other piece I was working on. I just need to bind it and add a label. The other quilts I have ready for quilting are all intended to be machine quilted - with the exception of two; however, the two which I want to hand quilt need to be basted, and I need a large clear space to do that. The large clear space I used for Caro's quilt is where I'm quilting at the moment, and so I won't be moving the table and paraphernalia to baste two other quilts. I could be binding the quilt I've just done, except that I don't have any fabric here to bind the quilt with. Oh dear - what a shame - that means that I will have to go shopping for some fabric! And, oh, next Saturday I have a workshop at Step-by-Step called Stitched Herbaceous Borders - creating a picture using threads. I've looked at my 'ingredients' list - I'm going to have to buy quite a bit of it there, as I can't get to to my fabric, and the threads are a bit precarious as well!

Oh - and before I forget - the last photo shows where Joey is in the photo! He's sitting in the wicker chair which is balanced on top of the piano. You can just see his ears here. If you click on the original photo, it should become larger, and you should be able to make him out. Just behind him you can see my patchwork and quilting boxes. They are stacked from the floor up - which shows why I'm having difficulty finding some stitching to do in the evenings. Even my embroidery threads are not particularly accessible, which is a problem for making labels for quilts.

That really is it for this post now - I really need to make the most of the natural light we have got here - including sunshine and blue skies! - and get on with some sewing. Don't forget to add your comments!

Back Again - and look at the progress!

Here I am, back again, and taking a quick break before I start quilting Caro's quilt. Keith has taken the opportunity to go golfing (no surprise there), which means I have a day to myself, and I thought that it was high time to get the quilt quilted. Injuring my finger on Christmas day did put me a bit behind - you don't want to spoil a piece of work by bleeding all over it. I've now set up the sewing machine, and done some practice pieces to make sure that I've got the tension right, the needle right, and to try the threads as well.

But you don't come to this blog to hear all about the quilting, do you? And those of you who do want to know about the quilting would be only to happy to see another blog, I am sure! So, I'll get back to the task in hand. You can see that I am making up for lost time as far as blogging goes - I spent 6 hours on the internet last night. I'm sitting in front of the television at the moment, transferring programmes from the Sky box to the hard drive, ready to create some DVDs - but I've just remembered that we don't have any blank DVDs here. Looking out to the back of the house, I can see the misty rain driving across - absolutely perfect quilting weather!

The photo on the right shows the men at work today, putting the insulation in. The green tarpaulin is there to keep them dry, and the photo was taken at around 10am this morning. You can also see that they have started bricking up as well, and the photo shows how the brickwork at the bottom matches the existing walls of the house. We have got light coloured bricks for the majority of the front, and the back of the house is being blocked up and then plastered (I assume) - to match what is already there. In my current position I am able to look at the plans of the house, because we put them up at the front of the flat (the front being the end that looks out to sea) to give us a little privacy over the Christmas period. It is nice to be able to check what it is going to look like, and which bit has just been started / completed / worked on.

The photo on the left shows the back of the house, taken from the side by the bakery. I think it's quite exciting to have scaffolding up, as it really gives you the feeling that it is coming on. Keith and Nathan took a tour around the house on Thursday - I could see them from the back of the flat. They came out from the dining room, climbed over the posts and bars that were there, and walked on the planking. They then descended the ladder. Joey accompanied them on their tour, until they got to the ladder - he just stood at the top looking around, trying to work out how he could get down, and then how he could get back up again!

I saw Joey at the house today, he was sniffing around the bags of concrete mix in the dining room. When I tried to get him to come up, we just hissed and growled at me. He doesn't like his routine disturbed, and I think the excitement and changes are all proving to be a bit too much for him. He's got quite a few strangers in the house too, which doesn't help; I suspect he's also a bit cross because his chair seems to have moved. If it has and he can no longer get into it, or it is too unsturdy, then he wouldn't be happy. How many have spotted Joey in the picture with yesterday's post?

The builder is very keen to be noticed - something that you can't fail to do really with the house at the moment. I particularly like the note about unauthorised entry being strictly prohibited. We still have CCTV up, so that will act as a deterrent as well - we hope. Unfortunately, cats take no notice of this notice. Nathan informed us that two other cats made it into the house the other day, he heard an awful sound of cats fighting, and discovered Seffy and Joey frightening off the intruders, running all over the house to do it. It's good that they can work as a team. Joey is getting quite adept at fending for himself. I don't bother buying any of the food in the tinfoil trays, as he knows where it is, and I've come into the kitchen on a couple of occasions to find a tray on the floor with part of the top missing, and some of the food gone too. I have watched him knock over (deliberately) one of the boxes of dry food and put his paw inside to get food out. I think he did a similar thing today, as when I went into the kitchen, there was dry cat food over the floor. It is not something we encourage, I hasten to add, and we do make sure that there is enough food down for them. The other thing I like about the sign is the bit about safety helmets. The only thing is, we don't have one - such is life.

The garage and extended dining room are also starting to take shape. As the back and the garage are being 'blocked' up, it doesn't take as long as bricking up, and also doesn't cost quite so much. It's good to see it coming on quickly. Just think, 6 or 7 weeks ago the former garage was still standing. Now concrete has been laid for the floors, the walls have been started and are growing quite quickly.

Returning to the quilting theme again, I shall be quite glad to get back to the house - when it's all finished of course. I've had a few ideas about quilts and I'd like to be able to work on them, but as the Spot the Cat photo shows, all my fabrics are way out of reach in the living room (the boxes underneath the speaker on the wall on the right hand side are my fabric boxes, from floor level up to the speaker. I'm only thinking about small projects, but it is a little tiring that I can't get to the fabric. It just gives me the perfect excuse to buy some more. And as for my thread rack - well, that is also unreachable now; luckily I have a thread box in which to store threads to take them to workshops, so I have some in there, and I also put the ones I wanted to use for Caro's quilt to one side. My initial thoughts about sewing and the flat were that I would get some quilting done, rather than piecing. This would give me the chance to finish some projects I'd already started. I've been able to do a bit of hand quilting, and I hope to baste some more quilts as well.

The last picture for today was taken from the back garden. How did I manage to get into the back garden? No, I didn't go through the hole in the dining room and down the ladder. Part of the fence has been taken down at the back to get the equipment in and out - blocks and diggers and so on. I made my way carefully through the fence, trying not to slip. You can see the progress that has been made, and the state of the garden. That is just about it for today - quilting to be done you know! I shall make the last couple of photos pictures of the cats in their more comfortable days. Seffy is on the left, and Joey is on the right. Yes, I know what some of you are going to say / think when you see these two - "Daft animals" - and I'd have to agree when looking at these pictures!

It's here - and welcome back!

I hope that this post finds you all well. I would have created this post 3 hours ago, but I had 81 emails in one account and 31 in my hotmail inbox - and I thought that I should get those sorted first.

Of course, what you really want to see are some photos to see how the house is doing, so I'll get them for you!

The first picture is called 'Spot the cat' - except that hs name is Joey. Your task is to find where Joey is - he is a big black fluffy cat for those of you who have not yet met him, and for those of you who would rather forget him! Post your answers as to where he is in the comments section, and I'll let you know in a couple of days where he is. This photo also shows the living room as it is at the moment - filled with all the stuff from the dining room, things from the living room, from our bedroom, from Mat's room and from Nathan's room too.

The photo on the left shows the footings have been put down, and the blocks are in place ready for the building. You can also see the bay window of the dining room. That is a sight to be relished, as it has now changed forever.

The photo on the right shows that the building has started, and also shows the amount of disruption the garden has faced. It is rather a state, and will need a lot of TLC once we get back into the house. The photo on the right also shows that the bay window has gone. By night it is covered with a green tarpaulin.

The photo on the left was taken from the kitchen window, and you can see what I mean about the window. The panes of glass have been put somewhere safe - perhaps the plan is to use them again.

The builders have been very busy - you will have to wait until tomorrow for the next post and see how far they have got. They have been very good - over the new year period - and since they have worked at the weekend - Saturday and Sunday. I think that I shall have to call it a night for now - I'm tired, and there are other things to do as well. Norma has asked me about the quilting, and I do plan to set up a blog for my quilting too. Once I've done it, I shall put the address on this site - I'll include a link to it! It probably won't be updated as often as this blog because the quilting takes a little longer to complete - or even a lot longer in some cases. Also, the wind is really howling here, and I can feel the floor shaking underneath me. Until tomorrow.

Broadband is on its way (we hope)!

Well - here it is - another post. Still no photos at the moment as I'm typing this from my desk at school. We should have the broadband tomorrow, so tomorrow night I may be online the whole time. I do have loads of work to do for school, and staying in school gives me a chance to get it done, rather than doing it at home.

Scaffolding has gone up at the back of the house now - Keith tells me that the builders are waiting for dry weather to do the bricking up (using bricks), and so during the wet weather are working on the blocking up - the inner walls. I've got piles and piles of books to mark, and I don't think that I'm going to get through many of them this evening - but I'll do my best.

Norma has asked me how the quilt-making is coming along - well, rather than put details of that on here, I may just start another blog with details and pictures of pieces I've worked on. That won't be for a week or two though - far too many other things to do.

Until tomorrow - of course - if you check tomorrow evening I might not have got round to a post, but if there is no post on Saturday, you'll know that there has been a problem with the broadband (no post on this blog that is, not that the postman hasn't visited your house - that would be quite something if I could arrange messages like that - no postman means Christine still hasn't got broadband!). We won't be holding our breath for it; it's not that we think it won't be here tomorrow, it's just that we have learned not to expect things to happen that we've been told WILL happen - how many times have we been told that, only to be let down?

Cheerio for now - look out for more over the weekend!

Can you live without the internet?

This may sound like a bit of a strange title, given the subject of my blog - however, at the moment I feel that I need to have a bit of a rant, and let you all know what is going on.

Keith and I are suffering a bit at the moment, as we still have no internet access at home (although I may find that this issue has been resolved when I get home this evening). It's been a long old struggle, and despite getting in touch with the Chief Executive of BT 10 days ago and having had a message left from someone in the Chairman's Office saying that she would be ordering the broadband for us last Monday, when I phoned to find out the status of things on Friday, I was not told that someone had already ordered the broadband for us. In addition, it seems like we are paying more for a package, as we can't have our previous package, and so we are paying for the inconvenience of it all - no-one has mentioned compensation for the loss of internet access (we have managed to get some for the lack of telephone, and having to wait in for 5 hours when no-one turned up - and didn't bother letting us know).

So, the question - can you live without the internet - and what about without a microwave? Well, those are questions that I am now in a position to answer. I don't feel that I can live without the internet - as this blog demonstrates! I'm also unable to do any internet shopping, check bank balances, see if I've been lucky on the premium bonds, produce more daily powerpoint presentations - on this day in history - for my tutor group (it's a little bit of fun that I've used to try and get them involved - and because I love trivia!), I'm limited with my lesson planning, as things that I would want to check, and pictures that I'd want to use - I often look for them on the internet.

I have been able to do a bit more sewing - some quilting, which is great, and I'm still trying desperately to catch up with all my marking, and I shall endeavour to make a real dent in it tonight. So that is a bonus of not having the laptop on my lap the whole time.

As for the microwave - well, how many people can be bothered to steam the Christmas pudding on the stove if they can just put it in the microwave? How many ready meals need to be cooked in a microwave and not in the oven? The microwave we can live without, and have done so quite happily, but it is nice to have one again - it makes life a little easier.

Anyway - that's enough ranting. As for the house - well, it's coming along nicely - I shall go and have a look at the progress in about half an hour, but as it's raining here and I don't have the camera - and the fact that it will be dark by the time I get there, I shan't be taking any photos. They may have to wait until the weekend.

I may try to add a post tomorrow - let's see how busy I am first; if I do update tomorrow, we shall be playing a little game - it's called 'Spot the Cat' - except his name is Joey! Do add your comments - when you click on the add comments link, you can type in your comment, but then make sure you also type in the password that is shown on box on the right hand side - type the exact characters that are shown in that box - don't put your own personal password in! The website just wants to check that you are a real person adding a comment, and so you need to copy the characters exactly. I look forward to seeing more comments!