A further update

I have been very good about giving up wheat and gluten for the past two weeks and unfortunately, it works. I feel much better and much perkier. I shall keep it up as best I can. Chloe and Charles are staying with me this week while the rest of the family go to Cornwall for the mid term break.

An update

14 day detox - my energy level is chronically low so I decided to do something about my diet. I don't mean "dieting" although that would not go amiss. What I am doing for two weeks is not having wheat & gluten, no alcohol and no obvious sugar. I miss my bread. Gluten free bread is too awful and certainly doesn't lend itself to a nice ham sandwich. I have been doing it for five days and I think I feel better. I take a 30 min walk each day.

Courses - I have been going to a writing course on Tuesday evenings and I have given it up. It was so-o-o not working for me. I would come home exhausted and fed up so I withdrew yesterday. Just so I don't get lazy, I began a Photoshop course last night and it is great. Anything with a computer is the thing for me and I know I will be more than happy to do homework.
I'm wondering if courses are a bit like shopping for me; i.e. if I take a course, I can sit and listen to someone else talking about whatever it is instead of doing it myself. The shopping involves buying stuff for whatever new project takes my fancy instead of getting on with it!

Immigration - The forms are completed and with the solicitor who is handling the process. I decided to hire someone to do it with me so that it would be done right. I had an email from her yesterday asking me if I want to change my name before the application goes in or wait until it is done and change names in time for the new passport. I would like to change my name today but I don't want anything to hold up the citizenship process.

1970's tie dye dinner party

In order to cope with a very large (wide) dining table, I made a tie dye tablecloth from a sheet. Such a flashback to the 70's when that particular craft form was everywhere. I invited eight friends, three from my art group, three outliers and Rachel and Charlie. Alison and Sian decreed that I must have a 1970's menu so here it is:

Before- cheese and pineapple hedgehog
crisps and dip
Starter - prawn cocktail with MarieRose sauce
Main - chicken Kiev
chips
a selection of frozen veg
Pudding - Black Forest Gateau
apple crumble

To ease the blandness of the menu, I had good wine.


The tablecloth


The guests


After all this wonderfulness, can a macrame plant holder be far behind?

The boys, The park, The engine

Yes indeed, I had my weekend at the seaside with the family Williams.


It's a long way down. Did you mean for me to be here?




Child No.1 - I'm cool. I drink and swing
Child No.2 - This is the greatest thing since breast milk




I will always be faithful to Thomas, the engine, that is. The brother is a given.