Looking Forward

Photo Friday - Homemade

2009-12-04T10:44:00.000Z

Hand knitted by me to Fuzzy Mitten patterns.

Fuzzy Lamb

2009-10-31T16:25:00.000Z

Ok, I know he doesn't look fuzzy and I'm not sure how lamby he looks,

but I used the free Fuzzy Lamb pattern from Fuzzy Mitten.

I think he looks quite cute!

Week of Prayer for World Peace

2009-10-11T20:55:00.002+01:00

This week is the Week of Prayer for World Peace, started as a Christian initiative in 1974 it is now an interfaith event calling for everyone of all faiths to pray for peace in all areas of our lives and our world.

The International Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.

Knitting

2009-10-09T20:49:00.003+01:00

Yay - I've finished the back of my jumper!

Jumper from this pattern book:

Knitting

2009-09-27T22:49:00.000+01:00

I'm knitting a jumper in self-patterning yarn and am quite pleased with the way its turning out. I've not knitted with one of these yarns before, mainly because they tend to have a high wool content which I can't cope with but I found Sirdar Crofter DK which is just 60% Acrylic, 25% cotton,15% wool. Its in a range of shades, this is Plaid.

Photo Friday - The Face

2009-09-25T18:49:00.004+01:00

This is Jimmy the Tortoise who lives at Manor House Wildlife Park.I think he has a lovely face - what a smile!

10 Targets for 2009 update

2009-09-23T15:12:00.003+01:00

I haven't done anything about these since March so time for a look at them.

1. Read 100 books - no problem with this, having more free time means I am already over 90.

2. Finish all my knitting projects - I haven't got too far with the new cardigan I was knitting, finding cable hard. I have made a sleeveless top though, to my own design, and am working on a jumper in self patterning wool which is looking nice.

3. Finish my tapestry - I did do a bit more of this but haven't got far.

4. Get to church regularly - I am becoming more and more involved in the methodist church, despite it being a bit frustrating at times!

5. Use my sewing machine - oh dear! The material I bought is still sitting in the cupboard, I really must do something with it.

6. Lose some weight - not a lot happened here but I am using my Wii to do keep fit and that is going well even if I haven't lost the weight.

7. Join a group or club - nothing to report here.

8. Read bible more - better but not great.

9. Get out to plays / music events more - I must get to something at the Exchange, sadly Martyn Joseph doesn't come here :(

10. Think seriously about career - well, I have given up my job and am currently unemployed. Now thinking about what exactly I want to do next, taking some time to figure out.

Knitting

2009-09-19T17:10:00.004+01:00

Today I have finished a top I both designed and knitted. It's not perfect but I'm feeling quite proud of myself!

Photo Friday - Plants

2009-09-18T17:00:00.001+01:00

Flower display in Llangollen.

Photo Friday - Brown

2009-04-24T16:46:00.004+01:00

Red squirrel on Brownsea Island.

Doesn't really fit the title but I love this photo!

Photo Friday - Circular

2009-04-18T11:58:00.003+01:00

My niece and nephew on the roundabout.

I like the shadow underneath.

Photo Friday - Grandmother

2009-04-03T09:32:00.005+01:00

Neither of my grandmothers are still alive.
This is an old photo of four generations:
me, my mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Aren't I cute?

Do Something Funny For Money

2009-03-14T15:11:00.003Z

It was Red Nose Day on Friday so we were wearing pyjamas to school. Not all the staff joined in, but it seemed like a nice easy one, and pyjamas are very comfy. By the end of the day I was the only member of staff still in them and proud of it!

10 Targets for 2009 update

2009-03-01T14:21:00.003Z

It's the start of March, so time for an update.

1. Read 100 books - 14 read so far, have decided to read a few more serious books during lent instead of just novels all the time.

2. Finish all my knitting projects - not much progress on my new cardigan but its growing very slowly.

3. Finish my tapestry - still not done anything with this.

4. Get to church regularly - am attending the methodist church every week now.

5. Use my sewing machine - have shortened a skirt and bought some material.

6. Lose some weight - not sure I'm ever going to make any progress with this!

7. Join a group or club - not sure there is a club round here for me.

8. Read bible more - doing a bit better.

9. Get out to plays / music events more - nothing this month.

10. Think seriously about career - one big decision made, but not sure what is next.

Warlocks

2009-02-21T14:12:00.004Z

I did a meme like this ages ago but I saw this on Just One Step At A Time and they are fun, some of the answers turned out to work very well!

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

* IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Shining

* WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Once upon a long ago

* WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Be thou my vision

* WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
This is a low

* WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
She'll have to go

* WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Forest fire

* WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Way out

* WHAT IS 2+2?
Who's leaving who?

* WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND(S)?
Knocking on forbidden doors

* WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU FANCY?
Boom! Shake the room

* WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Precious

* WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Our passion is for you

* WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU FANCY?
Strange way

* WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Better is one day

* WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
If you love me

* WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Don't talk back

* WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Mooning

* WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Dizzy

* WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Wouldn't it be nice

* WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
She said she said

* HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Master of the house

* WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Sparrow

* WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
One to sing the blues

* WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Have a cigar

* WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Hallelujah

* WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Titles

* DOES ANYONE FANCY YOU?
No son of mine

* IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
1963

* WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Everything I own

* WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Warlocks

Verse to ponder?

2009-02-15T12:25:00.005Z

These verses really struck me at church today, they are Isaiah 43 v 18-19 (NIV):

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Here it is in New Living Translation:

But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

Photo Friday - Pet

2009-02-13T20:09:00.002Z

I don't have a pet, but I have adopted Zoey, a gibbon at Monkey World.

This is Zoey with her baby Kim.

Photo Friday - The Team

2009-02-06T19:34:00.004Z

I don't support any sports teams, but I do love the Olympics and Team GB.

10 Targets for 2009 update

2009-01-31T12:51:00.003Z

Almost a month of the year gone (can hardly believe it, time speeds by).

1. Read 100 books - 8 read so far, at the moment am reading the Twilight books, thought I would read the first one to see if they were any good and have to say am enjoying them.

2. Finish all my knitting projects - not doing too well here, have started something new instead of finishing any old projects, am trying to master cable and its going well so far.

3. Finish my tapestry - not got back to this yet.

4. Get to church regularly - doing better at this, it helps being able to walk to church again.

5. Use my sewing machine - have plans for the sewing machine, have been looking at material in Hansons, but not started yet.

6. Lose some weight - haven't made any effort towards this, though I am trying to eat a bit healthier.

7. Join a group or club - no progress with this yet.

8. Read bible more - slightly better but not as good as I should be.

9. Get out to plays / music events more - nothing this month.

10. Think seriously about career - thinking! No decisions as yet, though am keeping an eye on the TES!

Photo Friday - Costume

2009-01-30T20:00:00.001Z

10 Targets for 2009

2009-01-01T15:34:00.003Z

I think I've come up with my 10 now:

1. Read 100 books - tried it this year but only made it to 95.

2. Finish all my knitting projects - I have 3 or 4 half finished at the moment.

3. Finish my tapestry - started it full of enthusiasm and not touched it for months!

4. Get to church regularly - not been too good this year.

5. Use my sewing machine - keep planning to alter a few things so that I can wear them.

6. Lose some weight - could do with shedding a few pounds.

7. Join a group or club - need to get out and meet new people.

8. Read bible more - got a bit slack with this.

9. Get out to plays / music events more - have missed not living close to a music venue and no school trips to theatre anymore.

10. Think seriously about career - am I where I want/need to be? What next?

I'll try and post regular updates.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T19:57:00.006Z

Only a few hours of 2008 left. I hope everyone had a good year and are looking forward to great things in 2009.

I don't really make resolutions - never seems worth it when you break them within a couple days. I thought I would go for 10 targets for the year - not thought of them all yet but I'll add to the list later.

Targets for 2009

1. Read 100 books - tried it this year but only made it to 95.

2. Finish all my knitting projects - I have 3 or 4 half finished at the moment.

3. Finish my tapestry - started it full of enthusiasm and not touched it for months!

4. Get to church regularly - not been too good this year.

5. Use my sewing machine - keep planning to alter a few things so that I can wear them.

Well, that's 5 to start me off.

30 sec Nativity Story

2008-12-26T13:55:00.002Z

Found this on Seven Whole Days.

Wordless Wednesday - Construction

2008-12-17T18:47:00.004Z

Today I have been making flatpack furniture - not finished yet but quite pleased with myself.

Hallelujah

2008-12-16T17:18:00.003Z

After hearing the new X-factor single it reminded me how brilliant the Jeff Buckley version is.

Why not join all the people downloading this superior version? If you download it here it will count towards the singles chart - apparently its already in the top ten!

Cool Site

2008-12-11T21:40:00.005Z

Found this site which looks like a great idea and not too expensive - a dress, top or skirt made to your design and to your measurements. The site is called styleshake. Its good fun designing and I think I may well have to order something when I've come up with my perfect design. Here are 3 of my dress designs:

Books I've Read

2008-12-06T21:55:00.005Z

Saw this on my sister's blog and thought I’d have a go …

This is originally from the Big Read. Apparently they reckon most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here.

Instructions:
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Underline those you intend to read. -
3) Italicise the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list so we can try and track down these people who’ve only read 6 and force books upon them.

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - J D Salinger
19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones’ Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Quite a strange selection, I've read 38, what about you?

Christmas No 1

2008-12-05T21:56:00.003Z

As a Radio 2 fan, I'm joining in the campaign to get Terry Wogan and Aled Jones to the Christmas No 1. Its about time we actually had a Christmas song instead of just the latest X-factor winner. Join me in buying the single, after all its for Children in Need. You can see the video here.

Wordless Wednesday - Cold

2008-12-03T19:41:00.004Z

Its been a chilly week in Dorset, no snow yet but who knows.
This isn't my photo, but isn't it beautiful?
You can see some more here.

Wordless Wednesday - Reports time :(

2008-11-26T21:54:00.000Z

Book Quote Game

2008-11-22T16:41:00.005Z

"Still nothing."

From Dragonfly by Julia Golding

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog, and post your sentence in a comment here as well.
* Don't dig for your favourite book, the coolest, the most intellectual.

Wordless Wednesday - Unpacking

2008-11-19T21:52:00.002Z

Cool Fountain

2008-11-16T10:01:00.000Z

I've Moved

2008-11-16T09:02:00.003Z

I've moved out of school into a nice little flat and the best bit is I now have broadband access. So I thought I could get back into blogging again.
Here is my flat:

Not looking quite so empty now I've moved all my stuff in, but its way too messy for photos at the moment!

Half Term

2008-05-31T17:18:00.006+01:00

I had a lovely half term with my parents, even though the weather wasn't great. We had a couple of days of pouring rain but also a couple of lovely days. It was nice to take Mum and Dad to places they had never been to before and to see some more of Dorset. We went to Lulworth Cove and walked over the clifftop to Durdle Door and saw some glorious views.We also went to Brownsea Island, which is a National Trust Island. It is a beautiful island, with woodland, beaches and wonderful views. There are no foxes on the island so the hens, ducks, geese and peacocks all roam free with no fear of predators. It is also where the first scout camps were held and they still go there now.The highlight was seeing a red squirrel on Brownsea Island, right at the end to the day when we had given up hope of spotting one!

Knitting

2008-05-17T21:06:00.004+01:00

Not posted anything for ages but after many hours of work I have finally finished some outfits for my friend Lyn's new baby, Noah. I did hope to have them done before he was born but I am a few weeks late. Still hopefully they will still fit him! They are the first baby clothes I have made and to be honest I'm rather proud of myself :> I'm sure Noah will look gorgeous in them.

Zoey the Gibbon

2008-04-14T20:23:00.004+01:00

When we were on holiday in Dorset we visited Monkey World and we fell in love with a gibbon called Zoey, who I adopted. I've now found out she has just had a baby, look at the sweet photos!

Easter Holidays

2008-04-05T16:57:00.006+01:00

Its been a long time since I wrote in this blog. I had a busy second half of term, not much fun but I made it through with the thought of going on holiday with Suzy and the kids. We had a great time staying at a holiday park just 40 mins from my flat. The kids loved the park, it had a playground, a soft play area and a swimming pool. I think they would have been perfectly happy not to have gone out anywhere, but we managed to persuade them to visit some places and we had a good time. Here are a few photos but you can see loads more here.

At Last!

2008-02-15T21:14:00.002Z

Half term is here at last and I can have a rest. I am with the parents for the night then off to Worcester tomorrow to see all my friends. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone, its been almost 6 months now since I moved. It will be good to go back to my old church and catch up with everyone. Its been a busy week so it will be lovely to relax and have fun.

One Week to Half Term

2008-02-10T18:26:00.000Z

I'm feeling ok this weekend but its not been a great week due to a lousy cold. Its amazing how fed up a cold can make you feel! I have struggled through and carried on teaching, as any teacher will tell you, its easier to carry on teaching while feeling ill than to have to set work for lessons and deal with the marking, misunderstandings and general mess ups afterwards, after all if they could just get on with the topics without you they wouldn't need you to teach them! I know with the maths if I leave them work to get on with it has to be extremely simple and straightforward or they will get themselves in a muddle without you to guide them. Now I am feeling more alive again and am looking forward to visiting Worcester to see all my friends next weekend and then spending a few days with the parents and having a proper relax. Living in school is great in some ways, no commute and no bills, but it is hard not getting away from my job and the girls. The weather has been great the last couple of days which helps me feel more positive, hopefully it will last and life will seem a bit better.

Half term draws closer!

2008-02-03T14:28:00.000Z

Only 2 weeks to go to half term, I'm thinking I might make it! Feeling a bit less tired and more positive this weekend, but I have a sore throat so not sure its going to be a great week. Last week I was going to give up teaching but now I think I might stick it out for a bit, but I can't see myself doing this for the next 30ish years until I retire. Maybe a break is the right thing to do, perhaps I'll miss it so much I'll appreciate it more if I come back. It certainly means I have some thinking to do.

Quiet School

2008-01-25T19:40:00.000Z

Its an exeat weekend which means all the girls have gone home. No boarding this weekend and no lessons to teach tomorrow. The school is lovely and peaceful and I can get up late in the morning. The only problem is its been a busy week, I am exhausted and I have a pile of work to get done by Monday. At least I can get a good night's sleep tonight so hopefully I will wake up bright and cheery tomorrow. Today I am fed up with teaching and marking and trying to get mathematical knowledge into brains! I could give it all up right now, but I know that this is mainly the tiredness talking. Still the hours here are not great and I could really do with not feeling exhausted all the time. I've been working it out and I teach a couple of hours extra per week in this job, which of course generates extra preparation and marking time. I could deal with working later and saturday mornings better if it came to the same amount of time that I'm used to! I keep telling myself it will get easier! The benefit is longer holidays, but that doesn't actually help much in the middle of the term. This blog post is turning into a real whinge, maybe I should stop and go get some sleep, I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning!!!

Another Week Over

2008-01-19T19:02:00.000Z

One more week down, half term is getting closer! Its been a busy week, with a Maths area meeting to go to along with the normal teaching, and several teachers have been off so I've had lessons to cover too. So I've got a bit behind with the marking and had to spend all afternoon trying to catch up. Thankfully it was lasagne for supper tonight, so I decided to have it with the girls instead of having to cook for myself. I have to weigh up the convenience of having food cooked for me with the privacy and quiet of staying in my flat! Mainly at the weekends I opt for peace, but I couldn't resist lasagne! Tomorrow I get to go to someone from church's house for a proper sunday lunch which will be good. Next weekend is an exeat, so the girls go home friday, no saturday school and a quiet school, can't wait! After that only 3 more weeks to half term.

Knitting Frenzy!

2008-01-16T18:11:00.000Z

I started knitting club on Monday and now all my form have gone knitting mad. Unfortunately most of them have little or no idea so I'm spending my time casting on and trying to sort out mistakes! I'm casting them on 20 stitches but one of them had got to 39 stitches in approx 8 rows! It is quite sweet to see them sitting in the classroom knitting in their free time. I'm now having to get some new needles as I've run out!

Quizzes

2008-01-14T18:54:00.000Z

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Science/Math Nerd
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Musician
Drama Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Your score on this personality test was 47%

Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a longer time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

Personality Quiz
Take More Quizzes

First Week Finished

2008-01-12T18:49:00.000Z

I'm exhausted and we have only been back at school for one week. Partly its the shock of getting up early again, I'd got used to lazing around over Christmas!

At least this week has been easier than last term, its so scary starting a new job. I hate not knowing the girls names and not being sure where I should be and what I should be doing. I had been at my last school for 10 years so I knew the routines so well I didn't really have to think about them. Getting used to a new way of doing things has been tough and people forget to tell you things so its been a case of learning as I go along. At least now I know everyone's names (the joy of being in a small school) and the general routine of the place, even if I am sure there will be some new surprises this term. I've had evening duty this week, which isn't fun, but at least that is one done this term, and tomorrow I have a couple of hours on duty with the boarders, so not a completely relaxing weekend.

On a positive note, I start knitting club on Monday - there is some great enthusiasm at the moment but we will see who sticks with it, at least it gives me an excuse to spend a lunch hour knitting. I just finished a new jumper, I will get a photo of it to post, its very purple and made with Wow wool (a thick chenille type wool) so should be warm and cosy. I'm very pleased with it, I'm getting the hang of sewing up now so the seams of this jumper are much better than the last one. Next I need to sew up a cardigan, but that involves picking up lots of stitches for the front band and putting in a zip so I have put it off! I bought a book about knitting from the neck down, so my latest project is on circular needles, but the rounds are so long it isn't growing very fast which I find a bit frustrating.

Back to Blogging

2008-01-08T16:59:00.000Z

It has been pointed out that it is a long time since I did anything with this blog. I blame a lack of time and internet access! However, now I have my laptop, I have made a new year's resolution to get back to blogging and keep anyone who is interested up to date with my news. Not sure that there is anyone out there interested (except family)!!

My life has changed a lot since August. I'm now in Dorset, getting used to a new school and new flat. Its been hard work and I'm missing my friends, but I'm slowly settling in and everyone has been very friendly and helpful. Its tough adapting to a new school though, especially as I was over 10 years at the last one. Its been hard going from day to boarding too, teaching til 5-30 and saturday mornings has been a bit of a shock to the system. Teaching the younger ones has been different but mainly I'm enjoying the change. More activity days and dressing up (see the photos), days off timetable and the girls miss lessons for music, riding and dance lessons. Time will tell how it will go here, at the moment I spend much of my time exhausted but it should get easier as I get used to the place!

Constitution Hill

2007-08-10T19:16:00.000+01:00

Today we went up Constitution Hill in Aberystwyth on the Cliff Railway and went to the Camera Obscura. There are great views from the top of the hill and the kids were pleased to find a bouncy castle as well as a cafe and gift shop. Sadly,as you can see from these photos, the weather wasn't too good, cloudy with some drizzle.

Nature Reserve

2007-08-08T17:02:00.000+01:00

Today we visited the Welsh Wildlife Centre. It was a lovely sunny day, but very hot. We did a bit of walking, saw some wildlife, learnt some interesting facts in the visitors centre and did some pond dipping, sadly we didn't get to see the water buffalo.

Butterfly Farm

2007-08-07T18:24:00.000+01:00

Today we have been to the butterfly farm at the Rheidol Power Station. The butterflies were good, lots of different ones to see but I struggled a bit to get decent photos. Then we went to look at the visitors centre at the power station, it shows you how the hydro-electric scheme works, fun and educational. And wonderful scenic views as well.

Dam Building

2007-08-05T19:13:00.001+01:00

Today we have been doing one of our favourite things, dam building in the river. Great fun but we all ended up soaked!

Personality Quiz

2007-08-01T18:35:00.000+01:00

Wordless Wednesday - Pink Girl

2007-08-01T14:52:00.001+01:00

Colour Quiz

2007-08-01T13:39:00.000+01:00

Sarah took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!

"Longs for tenderness and for a sensitivity of feel..."

Click here to read the rest of the results.

Happy Birthday Abi!

2007-07-27T16:42:00.000+01:00

Today my niece Abi is 5, I can't believe how grown up she is getting.

Here she is just a few days old.And now look at her!Happy Birthday Abi, looking forward to seeing you on Monday.

Happy Birthday Suzy!

2007-07-25T15:57:00.000+01:00

It's my little sister's birthday today, here are Suzy and me approx 30 years ago!Wasn't she sweet? She's not changed at all!!!

Photo Hunt - Tiny

2007-07-21T12:18:00.000+01:00

This is a tiny church on Guernsey called "The Little Chapel". It is possibly the smallest church in the world. It is beautiful and is decorated in shells, pebbles and bits of broken china.

Friday's Feast 152

2007-07-20T10:31:00.000+01:00

I haven't done one of these for ages but I found the questions good this week.

Appetizer: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?

This would rather depend on the sport, generally I'm not into sport like football, rugby etc so I'd give them a 1, but I do like to watch athletics and Formula One is good so they'd get a 6. However if its the Olympics, I love to watch all of it and so that would get a 10!

Soup: If you could completely memorise any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?

This is a tough one, I love all the works of Jane Austen, then again there are so many books I love. I think actually I wouldn't want to memorise any of them, then I couldn't read them again in the same way. I think it would be more useful to memorise a book of non-fiction!

Salad: What is your favourite breakfast food?

Well, a full English breakfast is always good but I only have that if I'm on holiday and someone else is making it. On a cold winter's day I do like a bowl of porridge, that's definitely comfort food. Normally I have two choices, if its a working day I need my Shreddies to get me through but if not I love Crunchy Nut Cornflakes.

Main Course: Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.

I could read a book, get together with friends, play on my computer or playstation, watch a dvd, watch tv, blog, surf the internet, knit, go for a walk, listen to music, or some combination of these, endless choices!

Dessert: How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?

This depends if it is the middle of a stressful term or in the holidays and if I've been sensible and stuck to the decaf tea in the evening! Somewhere between 10 and 30 mins on a good night, several hours on a bad one. I have always envied those who fall asleep as soon as their head touches the pillow, how do they do that?

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2007-07-19T10:29:00.001+01:00

I've been looking through the parents old photos, here is me a couple of months old with my parents and grandparents.
(To see my great birthday cake, clic k here!)

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-18T20:38:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I am off to see Starlight Express with Mum as my birthday treat. It should be great!

Which Harry Potter Character are you?

2007-07-17T12:22:00.000+01:00

I am ...

Which HP Kid Are You?

Wordless Wednesday - Term is over

2007-07-11T12:21:00.000+01:00

Last School Day

2007-07-09T21:48:00.000+01:00

A strange and emotional day today. The last proper school day, tomorrow we just have prizegiving in the cathedral and then a party back at school. No lessons today, I taught my last lesson on Thursday, the girls were all out on trips on Friday. I got some lovely presents and cards from some of the girls, one of them who is leaving even wrote all her teachers really sweet notes about how much she would miss us and what great teachers we are (that was the point I was closest to crying today!), I'll be hanging on to that to remind me when I'm finding it tough to get used to my new school.

Today we had final assembly, which included all those little traditions I have become used to over the last 10 years. Every school has their own traditions and you become rather attached to them. I was determined not to break down and kept biting my lip to keep back the tears. I had to go up and get a bunch of flowers (we already got presents at the staff leaving do over a week ago now). There are so many of us leaving this year with the school merging, that it was nice not to have too much attention on me, but we all got our acknowledgment and farewell. I coped quite well even though loads of the girls were crying, in fact there was some quite loud sobbing! I did ok until we got to the school prayer and hymn, when I was struggling to keep singing. Then just when everyone was getting very emotional the fire alarm went off! It gave us all a chance to recover ourselves whilst waiting on the tennis courts to discover it was just a fault with the system, though some have suggested it was the ghost of the first headmistress (she wouldn't be happy with the merger and the school going co-ed!), I'm not sure about that but it was certainly strange timing to happen right in the middle of the school hymn.

My Personal DNA

2007-07-06T16:27:00.000+01:00

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-04T22:16:00.000+01:00

I have spent most of this week packing up the Maths Department at school, I am fed up with boxes! Then in a few weeks time I will have to do the same thing with my flat!

Kylie in Doctor Who

2007-07-03T21:34:00.000+01:00

Apparently Kylie has a starring role in the Doctor Who Christmas Special! Sounds like it should be good. Freema will be back for part of the new series, after a few episodes of Torchwood, as well as there being a new companion for the Doctor. I'm not sure how I'm going to wait until then!

Doctor Who is up for Best Loved Drama Series and DT for Best Actor in the TVChoice awards, you need to get voting!!!

Doctor saves the world again!

2007-06-30T20:47:00.000+01:00

Another great Doctor Who episode but I can't believe the series is over already. How am I going to survive until Christmas? Still we should get the new series of Torchwood in the autumn, so maybe Captain Jack will get me through it!Don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't watched the episode yet, but can I just say Face of Boe?!?!?! I never saw that one coming.

Photo Hunt - Sweet

2007-06-30T16:38:00.000+01:00

Two sweet little girls, me and my sister from a few(!) years ago.

Jigsaw Puzzle

2007-06-29T18:24:00.000+01:00

Addicted to Blogging?

2007-06-28T17:37:00.000+01:00

58%

Internet Problems

2007-06-28T17:34:00.000+01:00

I have a lovely shiny new PC and its great but I forgot that no matter how wonderful your computer is, if the internet is playing up, you are stuck! A frustrating few days but all seems to be functioning correctly now so maybe I'll actually manage to do a bit of blogging.

Four Generations

2007-06-21T22:16:00.000+01:00

I have recently got a new computer and a new all-in-one printer/scanner. So I have been able to scan in this great photo which my uncle gave me at Christmas. This is me with my mother, grandmother and great grandmother, taken a few(!!) years ago. Don't I look sweet?

My reports are finished!

2007-06-20T21:41:00.001+01:00

Free Animations!

Family of Blood

2007-06-02T20:50:00.000+01:00

Now that had to be one of the best Doctor Who episodes, exciting and moving, I loved it. If you loved it too pop across and tell Paul Cornell, the writer.

The Smith and Joan romance was so lovely and so beautifully played, they are both such great actors, I confess I cried!

Photo Hunt - Art

2007-06-02T12:40:00.001+01:00

Don't have any art of my own so here is some pavement art by Julian Beever

Friday's Feast 145

2007-05-25T21:26:00.000+01:00

I've been blog silent for a while; its that time of year preparing for exams. I have Year 11, Lower 6th and Upper 6th this year so loads of marking to do, along with extra sessions and after school help. Thankfully it is now half term so I can have a rest for a few days.

Appetizer: Name a sound you like to hear.
I love seaside sounds; waves and seagulls.

Soup: What is your favourite kind of cheese?
Not a big cheese fan, love it cooked but not really into it otherwise, generally I have cheddar or I admit I do like processed cheese slices!

Salad: Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?
I love to sleep late on Saturday to make up for getting up early all week. I like to slip out of bed for a cup of tea then climb back in and read a good book for a few hours.

Main Course: When was the last time you forgot something? What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?
So busy marking things for my GCSE and A level classes, I forgot to mark my year 9's books this week, remembered when they started shouting for them!

Dessert: Fill in the blank: I notice _____ when ______.
I notice the mess in my flat when people are coming to visit!

Baptist Assembly

2007-05-08T20:51:00.000+01:00

I had a great time in Brighton at the Baptist Assembly. There were a couple of thousand Baptists from all over the UK and there is something so good about being together with so many other Christians. The worship sessions were really inspiring and the teaching was excellent but also challenging. I have come home with lots of things to think about, I may have to get some of the talks on cd so that I can listen to them again.

A lot of the focus was on Freedom and on the abolition of the slave trade. I certainly learnt a lot! At the exhibition we met Norman Kember, who was a hostage in Iraq last year, he was on the Baptist Peacemakers stand and has also just written a book about his experiences. It was a privilege to meet him.

I don't know exactly what I will be doing this time next year, so I'm not sure whether I will get to go to another assembly for a while. I'm glad I took the opportunity to go this year, even though I probably could have used this weekend to catch up on all my piles of marking!

My Daemon

2007-05-07T21:32:00.000+01:00

Wordless Wednesday

2007-05-02T21:09:00.000+01:00

I'm off to Brighton for the Baptist Assembly this weekend, it should be great.

Photo Hunt - Rare

2007-04-28T13:03:00.000+01:00

Rare sighting of a mermaid!

Blogging Scavenger Hunt

2007-04-27T18:02:00.000+01:00

Why don't you come and join in the Blogging Scavenger Hunt over at Amy's blog? Its going to start on May 1st and will involve reading blogs and answering questions, all to earn points. Of course, we all know "Points mean Prizes"! It sounds like it should be a lot of fun, a chance to read some different blogs and to get some new readers for your own blog. You know you want to join in, so pop across to Amy's blog now and sign up!

Friday Feast 141

2007-04-27T17:30:00.000+01:00

Appetizer: How fast can you type?
Not as fast as I could in the past but I can use all the right fingers so I'm not too bad!

Soup: What is your favourite online game?
I like Bejewelled and Chainz. In fact loads of games at Big Fish Games.

Salad: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), how intelligent do you think you are?
Won't this seem a bit big headed if I pick a high number? Maybe an 8, I don't suppose a maths teacher can claim to be unintelligent!

Main Course: Name three of your best teachers from your school years.
The first one that comes to mind is my infant teacher Mrs Hooper, she was great and let me read her own books when I'd read all the class books. Mr White, my headmaster at junior school, who always encouraged me in my maths. Tricky to pick a third, lots of my senior school teachers were very good, I'm not sure I can pick out an individual, but the science and maths staff all helped me a lot.

Dessert: What are your plans for this upcoming weekend?
Saturday looks like it will be marking, marking and more marking. But we do have a church lunch on Sunday, so that's something to look forward to (and not just because it means I don't have to cook!).

Hallelujah.

2007-04-24T22:27:00.000+01:00

I heard this on Radio 2 recently and I think its great so I thought I'd share it just in case you haven't come across it before.

Singing Messages

2007-04-24T19:07:00.000+01:00

I've found a great site where you can type in a message and it sings it to you. Great fun and quite a big vocabulary. Have a try at Let them sing it for you.

Friday Feast 140

2007-04-20T19:32:00.000+01:00

Appetizer: What is your favourite kind of bread?

No particular favourite, I love to make whatever sort I feel like in my breadmaker. Good ones are cheese and bacon, chocolate, banana, cinnamon and raisin, ...

Soup: When was the last time you bought a new pillow?
Not for a while. Probably a couple of years since I bought any.

Salad: Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net?
Too long, it wastes far too much of my time. I'm too scared to work out exactly how much time I spend online!

Main Course: What’s the highest you remember your temperature being?
I have absolutely no idea! Do some people out there keep a record of such things?

Dessert: Fill in the blanks: When I ____________, I _____________.
When I start a new term, I start counting down to the end. (I think all teachers do this!)

Photo Hunt - Hobby

2007-04-15T12:55:00.000+01:00

My photo hunt is late this week because my broadband decided not to work yesterday!

Like my sister, my hobby has been knitting since we both started at Christmas. This is the back of a cardigan I am making and its taking ages, because it is in double knit not chunky like the first jumper I made, but I'm persevering!

Friday Feast 139

2007-04-13T15:12:00.000+01:00

Appetizer: When you were a child, which crayon colour was your favourite? Probably yellow, can't really remember.

Soup: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move? I'd have to say 10, since I am changing jobs in September. I will be in Dorset which means moving approx 120 miles!

Salad: Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. What’s the total? Strange question! Mine is 73.

Main Course: Have you ever “re-gifted” anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to? The only time I've given away gifts is if the kids at school give me bath stuff, because I'm allergic to a lot of perfumed products, then my mum or my sister usually take them off my hands.

Dessert: Name something you need from the store. Lots of things, was going to go shopping this morning but didn't quite get round to it!

Quaker Summer

2007-04-03T21:12:00.000+01:00

I've been reading another book to review here on my blog. This one is Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson.

Here's the book description:
Every year I think there must be more to life, and every year, despite a new car or a trip to a new land, new milestones and triumphs in my son's life, or a redone deck, a pool, a spa, or entertainment system, I take stock and think once again, I was made for more than this. But I love my stuff.

Heather Curridge is coming unhinged. And people are starting to notice. What's wrong with a woman who has everything--a mansion on a lake, a loving son, a heart-surgeon husband, and soapstone countertops--yet still feels miserable inside?

Yet when Heather spends the summer with two ancient Quaker sisters and a crusty nun in a downtown homeless shelter, she suddenly finds herself at a crossroads.

Sometimes you have to go a little bit crazy to find the life you were meant to live.

I confess at the beginning of the book I wasn't feeling too much sympathy for Heather, she seems to have a great life and not to appreciate it at all. But once you get into the story you start to think about what is really important in your life. For Heather she is always buying new things for her home, for me its books and cds and gadgets, maybe for you its clothes or shoes or some other things that you feel you need. Do we really need them? I don't think I'll be coloured dotting all my things but at the moment I am thinking about the things I have as I'll be moving somewhere smaller in a few months. When you stop and analyse all your junk you realise that is not the best way to live, there has to be a better way. But the question is can I actually step out and change things? Or will I just buy another gadget because it makes me feel good?

My advice; if you're looking for a comfortable read, don't try this book! However, if you are looking for a thought provoking read (and a good story) get hold of Quaker Summer.

Martha Jones

2007-03-31T23:34:00.000+01:00

Tonight was the moment of truth, how good could Freema Agyeman be? Well, she's not Rose, but I think she might be a good companion for the Doctor. Great opener to the series, lots of fun and excitement and it can never be a bad thing to have David Tennant back on our screens! Don't you just love his grin? Its great to have some decent Saturday night tv, especially with Doctor Who Confidential on BBC3 too.

Photo Hunt - Water

2007-03-31T13:32:00.000+01:00

This is a view of the Cwm Rheidol Reservoir in Wales, part of the largest hydro-electric scheme in England and Wales.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-28T19:46:00.000+01:00

Its the end of term!

Photo Hunt - Empty

2007-03-24T10:30:00.000Z

This an empty electric train. It runs along the front in Brighton,
which is the oldest electric railway in the world still operating.

Friday Feast 136

2007-03-23T23:22:00.000Z

Appetizer: Who is your favourite news anchor/reporter? Why?
I don't have one, don't tend to watch tv news. I listen to radio or read it online.

Soup: Name 3 foods that are currently in your freezer.
Loads of stuff in my freezer, I'll take a look ... first 3 things I saw were pork chops, oven chips and haddock fillets.

Salad: If you were to have the opportunity to name a new town or city, what would you call it?
Really not sure about this one, perhaps something Doctor Who related! Gallifrey? Dalekville? Tennant Town?

Main Course: What will most likely be the next book you read?
I plan to read Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson as I received a free copy the other day, which I need to review here on my blog. If you haven't read any of Lisa's books yet I can highly recommend them, recently read Tiger Lillie and that was great.

Dessert: What's the first thing you notice about the opposite gender?
I think a nice smile is important, then you know they are someone you can relax and have fun with. David Tennant has a gorgeous grin!

Wordless Wednesday - Coming Soon!

2007-03-21T18:56:00.000Z

BBC One March 31st!

Valley of Betrayal Blog Tour

2007-03-19T19:04:00.000Z

I'm taking part in the Valley of Betrayal blog tour so welcome to anyone new who's come to visit.

In case you haven't read any Tricia Goyer books before, she is an American Christian who has previously written a series of books set in World War II. If you are looking for good historical fiction with strong christian values get hold of the first in the series, Dust and Ashes, its a brilliant read and you'll definitely want to read the rest of the series.

Valley of Betrayal is set in the Spanish Civil War and I have to confess I didn't know anything about it before I read this book. That's one of the things I love about good historical fiction, a great read and I learn something new. At the beginning of the book the main character, Sophie, was on her way to Spain to be with her fiancé and I have to say I wasn't sure if I was going to like her too much but she is changed by the people she encounters and the war she finds herself in, soon you are really caring about what happens to her and the other characters. The events of the civil war are brought vividly to life, so if you're looking for a cosy, comfortable read this won't be for you, but if you are looking for a great read, characters you care about, challenges to your faith and the way you view the world and to learn about a period in history that seems to be largely forgotten, then read this book.

You can read the first chapter on Tricia's blog. I have an extra copy of the book to give away, so if you are in the UK and think you'd like it, let me know in the comments and I'll pick someone at random to send it to.

My Visual DNA

2007-03-17T15:49:00.000Z

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Photo Hunt - Drink

2007-03-17T10:53:00.000Z

My tipple of choice is Baileys but I am British so most of the time
what I really want is a nice cup of tea!

Friday Feast 135

2007-03-16T18:33:00.000Z

Appetizer: Name two things that made you smile this week.
I confess I did laugh this week when one of my pupils asked "Where does the Loch Ness Monster live?" and today in the UK is Comic Relief so today we had "Bling Day" at school, some of the girls outfits made me smile.

Soup: Fill in the blank: Don't you hate it when ________?
... you want to read your book/watch tv/play a game but you have a pile of marking to do.

Salad: When you can't go to sleep, what is your personal remedy to help yourself drift into Lullabyland?
I always find a glass of Baileys helps! Failing that a mug of hot chocolate and a few chapters of a book.

Main Course: What is something about which you've always wondered but have not yet found a good answer?
I suppose its the whole heaven and hell question. Don't get me wrong I believe in heaven and hell but what exactly are they like, angels playing harps on clouds doesn't seem right to me! Is hell really a fiery furnace? There seem to be a lot of theories and I know I'd prefer to be in heaven but it does make me wonder sometimes.

Dessert: What is your favourite pasta dish?
I'm a big fan of lasagne, we have gorgeous lasagne at school, I will miss that in my new job!

You can join the Friday Feast.

Photo Hunt - Architecture

2007-03-10T11:59:00.000Z

This is the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.
There is a wonderful view from the top and an amazing
glass floor which I used in a previous Photo Hunt.

Happy, Happy!

2007-03-10T11:50:00.000Z

This has been a good week:

1. I have a new job for September so no more uncertainties
(and no more interviews - hooray!)
2. In my AS modules I got an A and a B
(the B was 1 mark off an A!)
3. My friend Lydia is getting married
(Congratulations, Lydia and Mark!)