CALL THAT AN IRON!

This is my kitchen door door stop.

A family heirloom, inherited when my husband's uncle passed away.

As it's half term I had the pleasure of looking after all three of my grandchildren on Monday and although we eventually spent a lovely day out at RHS Hyde Hall, I don't think they were expecting a history lesson as we trundled off in the car.

While I was in the throws of packing wellies, nappies, binoculars, waterproof clothing etc, the telephone rung.

So what do you do when your Granny has to answer the telephone, do you

a) carry on watching the tv
                  or
b) find a smooth surface and practice a spot of curling.

Well obviously the answer to that one is b!

There they were shoving my cast iron doorstop from one end of the kitchen to the other. Oh, what a lovely game they were having, little Jack thought it was wonderful. I suggested that they should perhaps play with something else and asked them to put the iron back by the door. Both girls stared at it blankly and Charlotte said, " what iron, that's not an iron, it's a doorstop!".

Now I can remember my grandmother showing me how she used to use an iron like this when I was little, so when we were finally in the car and on our way, I explained to them how the iron would have been heated up on the stove and then used. I then told them about washboards, mangles and tin baths. It really dawned on me that there is so much that they take for granted in their short lifetime. They couldn't begin to imagine a life without electricity, central heating and a car, as it would have been for my grandmother.

Last night, as I watched the news and they spoke about sending people to live on Mars, I thought, whatever next! I reckon those words were on the tip of my grandmother's tongue many times as she journeyed through her life.

CELEBRATING AT THE TOP!

Last Monday, when I opened my birthday present, I thought, how lovely, we're going to spend next weekend in London and then I thought, oh dear and I don't feel at my best.

Tuesday came and husband stayed at home. He now didn't feel well either and I wasn't feeling any better.

We'd been struck with this head cold type of thing that gave us continual headaches, fuzzy heads, loss of appetite and just generally lacking in energy. 

Wednesday for him was only a slight improvement but my determination kicked in and I thought myself much better. Only I wasn't and on Thursday with the weekend looming I decided that a doctors appointment was my way forward and thankfully I managed to get one.

So on Friday arm in arm with my husband and my antiobotics off we went for our weekend in London.

It was the first time I'd been out for a couple of days and the blast of fresh air seemed to do us both good as we wandered along Southbank on our way to the hotel.

When I originally saw that Michael had booked matinee tickets for the Saturday to see Made in Dagenham, I laughed and asked if he'd booked the earlier tickets to ensure I stayed awake during the performance. Thankfully, I was relieved he had done as I don't think either of us would have been able to keep our eyes open, if it had been in the evening.

We really enjoyed the show, it made us laugh and as every hour passed we were beginning to feel so much better.

Sunday came and with it, lots of lovely bright sunshine.

Perfect for our afternoon up the Shard.

First stop, a lovely brunch, I'd call it lunch in the Oblix lounge and as luck would have it a table next to the window.

This is from level 32 and I took it with my phone.

After lunch we had to return down to the bottom before making our way up to the viewing platform on level 72. Here I let Michael take over with his camera to take the photos while I enjoyed the view.

We had a wonderful afternoon and from there set off back to where our car was parked and home. As we walked we chatted about the Shard and I wondered how on earth they would be able to keep all of that glass clean.

"Oh, it's all self cleaning" he said.

"Really!", I never miss a trick, "well, in that case why haven't we got that glass in our windows at home, we'll have that next!"

I simply hate, cleaning windows. 

I JUST CALLED TO SAY........!

Having grandchildren is the most wonderful thing and when we were expecting the first of our grandchildren nearly nine year ago I had visions of being fussed upon as we all aged and spending lovely times together as their Gran.

However as soon as Charlotte was born, I became Granny and though I wasn't too sure that I liked it, over the years I've grown to love it.

I can't believe how grown up she is becoming and I'm always amused when she rings me up for a chat.

So on Friday evening, just days away from my birthday, the phone rang and on answering I heard,

"Hello Granny, it's Charlotte, can you tell me how old you're going to be on your birthday."

"Quite old," I answered and told her my age.

"That's what I thought," she said. Just a couple of seconds passed before she said, " the other reason I'm phoning is to say that I love you and to wish you a very happy birthday!"

We carried on chatting about her school day and the design she is currently making with her hama beads.

Finally the words, "bye Granny" came and she was gone in a flash but that little conversation made my evening.

My birthday came and with it an horrendous cold that I'd been fending off for the last couple of weeks. Plenty of knitting and crochet took place as I stayed put in the chair with my feet up.
No birthday celebrations for me but the family did pop in bearing gifts and I just had to show you these few, because to me they are simply the best!

The reason for my phone call became obvious when I opened this coaster made of hama beads by Charlotte.

Now, when I lift my first mug of tea in the morning I will be reminded, (just incase I'd managed to forget) that I am 57.

These 2 little trinket boxes contained,

a ring, from Charlotte, that fitted perfectly

and a ring, from Jessica that didn't quite.

I love them both, though!

Also, as Hawthorn Spellweaver is having a February heartathon, I thought I would join in today with this design on my new scarf.

Charlotte & Jessica created this lovely sheet of birthday wishes.
My son in law, affectionally known as Pete Pete by the children thought he'd be witty and say that I'm only three years off of being 60. But I must point out when I see him next that for as long as I have my coaster, I will remain, 57!

My birthday has gone, yet my cold is still here, I feel that my head is being held in a vice and there are lead weights hanging from my teeth!
Is anyone else suffering like this or is it my age?

Enjoy your week everyone!