tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239705912011-07-29T08:59:18.122+01:00almost never about hooveringCheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comBlogger3281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-39947804734720007532009-08-06T10:02:00.006+01:002009-08-06T10:24:00.182+01:00

Oh dear, I have been quite rubbish. Here is a nice picture of a horse. On the borders of Thamesmead. I mean, where else would you go to see a horse, by the side of a main road, eating grass? Thamesmead is the obvious choice.I stumbled upon my horsey friend whilst on a protracted ramble (which means I was lost) back from the post office collection office the other day. Halfway through the ramble,

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-25800930352279668282009-06-28T14:27:00.003+01:002009-06-28T14:45:13.048+01:00

I made a one of these. I'm trying to resist the temptation to make 457 more and join them together to make a big flowery blanket, at least until I have finished the Endless Granny Square Blanket, which I keep deciding needs 'just another six inches', and is going on forever.Everything in the garden seems to be quite big. Most exciting plant of the week award goes to the pumpkin which came from a

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-11431071109495508852009-06-21T20:31:00.003+01:002009-06-22T08:04:42.463+01:00

Me and 850 of my close, personal friends broke the world record for playing in a ukulele ensemble on Saturday. It was the fun!

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-66901720890393766822009-06-14T19:37:00.002+01:002009-06-14T19:45:51.687+01:00

It's hard to break a five month silence.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-28596991782691791582009-01-18T12:22:00.004Z2009-01-18T12:30:43.306Z

Current plans include:The family dress as Dr Who villains. I favour my side as Daleks and his as Cybermen, though that implies my Dad would be Davros, which is a bit scary. All friends will dress as a doctor or companion of their choice (at current count this is 12 Tom Bakers, 3 Marthas and a David Tennant. I cannot persuade anyone to be a Donna In Wedding Dress, bloody spoilsports.) I am

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-36798323013912989332008-12-15T19:18:00.003Z2008-12-15T19:26:46.792Z

typedeletetype typedelete deletetype type typedelete delete deletetype type type typedelete delete delete deletetype type type type typedelete delete deletedeletedeleteIt must be nearly the tend of term.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-57436039713735502812008-12-11T18:01:00.003Z2008-12-12T09:53:40.707Z

Disclaimer: I am not depressed. Not today, anyhow.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-19998118939587982952008-12-10T18:25:00.004Z2008-12-10T18:41:13.733Z

Teetering.Spewing.Spilling.Spreading.Piles of shoesPiles of booksPiles of postPiles of dishesPiles of markingPiles of clothesPiles of bagsPiles of rubbishPiles of parcelsPiles of yarnPiles of coatsPiles of magazinesPiles of jumpersPiles of papersPiles of cablesPiles of CDsPiles of instrumentsPiles of jewelleryPiles of towels

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-82957634456850867472008-12-09T19:38:00.005Z2008-12-10T07:59:23.542Z

Back, but not really back. No warm embraces here.We stalk down corridors. Skulk in corners. Mutter. Paranoid. Watching, waiting, speculating. We hide behind closed doors. We sniff out the wounded, sympathise, and then cross ourselves with relief because it isn't us.Yes, we are serious. We couldn't be more serious. This is a matter of a life we once had, and a thousand little deaths. You wouldn't

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-39623020186032785222008-12-08T18:26:00.003Z2008-12-08T18:38:03.615Z

It is evening in this small town. The breaths of pedestrians plume. Busses hum past. Festive lights hang askew. Children call raucously across the street, and I pretend that they do not scare me. They do not scare me. In the shops the windows are misted. The man in the newsagents is wearing gloves. The man in the library is rude. Excuse me while I duck out for a moment. I probably shouldn't, but

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-26346562256378168132008-12-07T16:25:00.003Z2008-12-07T16:29:37.648Z

What do you want?I don't really want anything. I have got enough. Don't get me that though. I don't want that. I will be disappointed if I get that. Get me this. This that I don't need, but like. Or that. But not that. I am not sure how it is that one wants nothing but could be disappointed by something.It does not really make sense to me.It is contrary.I am a contradiction.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-38745306039963423052008-12-05T13:38:00.002Z2008-12-05T13:39:26.856Z

This post is not about you.This post is not about me.This post is about nothing.Shut your eyes.Listen to your breathing.Nothing.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-31535197675606545912008-12-04T17:42:00.004Z2008-12-04T17:58:27.665Z

I have spent all afternoon making paper advent candles shouting about crayons and watercolour resist and sponge painting pieces of sugar paper with green paint glitter on our fingers dripping it everywhere he got it on me Miss ha ha he got it on me I do not need to wash my hands they are clean no they aren't you look like Shrek wash them in the sink in the cold cold water then didn't I say to

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-4766068734491700562008-12-03T18:40:00.003Z2008-12-03T18:46:51.766Z

write. something.(headache)write. something.(tired)write. something.(urgent need to google)write. something.(shout at cat)write. something.(browse knitting patterns)write. something.(online shopping)write. something.(hoover*)write. something.(facebook)write. something.(email)write. something.(tv)write. something.(bath)write. something.(no time! no time!)*ha ha not really

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-75052059579761344542008-12-02T16:42:00.001Z2008-12-02T16:45:13.049Z

bananachickenpineappleelephantjacketrabbit cheeseI am tired I did not sleepcockerelcanapéeggshapedcodicilhula hoopdoorknobgreen

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-40663231660708658362008-12-01T18:30:00.004Z2008-12-01T18:34:22.186Z

blah blah blah blah blahstuff stuff stuff stuff stuffsomething revealing (carefully disguised)distracting joke, preferably self depreciatingstuff stuff stuff stuff stuffblah blah blah blah blahswearword

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-10418130451514297912008-11-29T10:20:00.003Z2008-11-29T10:27:33.631Z

anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anything anythingIt's not that I am boringanything anything anything anything anythingIt's not that I don't careanything anything anything anything anythingIt's not that I don't want toanything anything anythingMaybe I don't need

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-15809979357446463702008-10-31T10:49:00.003Z2008-10-31T11:28:10.537Z

It has been a bit of a rough week. There is no food in the house, and when we find ourselves sitting in the pub it seems a sensible idea to have something there before we go home.The food arrives. I pick up the ketchup bottle and shake it vigorously, noting that it's a proper tiny heinz bottle. Then I remove the top, there is a loud pop, and ketchup explodes all over me. I am spattered from head

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-56736588993725088832008-10-28T16:17:00.003Z2008-10-28T16:27:41.831Z

"Ooh knitting! You don't see people knitting nowadays. I taught both my sons to knit, but they knitted scarves for teddy and that was that. Still, they learned how to do it."It turns out that knitting on the bus makes me queasy."My son is into all those computers, and I can't pick it up. I say to him: can you knit a Fair Isle jumper? That shuts him up."

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-26991988656605903782008-10-25T12:18:00.005+01:002008-10-25T12:20:39.994+01:00

Cotton cowl 2Originally uploaded by etcher67I've decided that this year I am going to knit some of my Christmas presents. This is a risky business, as the last present I knitted still hasn't been delivered and the birthday in question was on the 8th September. Still: I am determined.I've already done a [censored in case they read this] and I'm planning a scarf for my Dad, and probably another for

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-26270640223573029122008-09-27T11:03:00.003+01:002008-09-27T11:09:27.741+01:00

Further strange happenings by the bus stop. A pile of dog shit with a small sign sticking out of it: 'Dog Shit'.Thanks for letting us know. This morning I expect a short forest of signs stretching down the road.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-14819960091584505252008-09-18T17:18:00.002+01:002008-09-18T17:22:21.111+01:00

Off sick from work, 7thsyndikate entertains, or frustrates: not sure which. Am I going to be somewhere on the 24th? In a meeting with my boss, I expect. How very, very tiresome.A ukulele ghost from my past surfaces. Who knew I had a ukulele ghost? I have been pursued for several decades, apparently. Not by the ghost, by the ukulele, silly. Nanny's charm bracelet has a uke on it too. It catches on

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-62953136716187089202008-09-12T16:17:00.002+01:002008-09-12T16:18:31.329+01:00

tomatoes from my gardinOriginally uploaded by etcher67Please admire my plump little globes.Percy Thrower would be proud.*sorry.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-90011154389771563332008-09-10T17:38:00.002+01:002008-09-10T17:48:42.655+01:00

Oh, alright then.Just this once, mind.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-56394879628776645482008-09-04T18:06:00.003+01:002008-09-04T18:17:35.239+01:00

I go back to work: it's like all the creative thoughts drain out my ears. Maybe if I was lucky they would stick on the pillow overnight and I could scrape them back up again. Problem is every time another one of those bells go off and I jump up to my feet watching the ticking clock another one gets zapped and then there's nothing, no residue available for a good going over later. It's the

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-13486583678120479432008-08-28T10:50:00.004+01:002008-08-28T11:08:11.197+01:00

wall of cheese and filmingOriginally uploaded by etcher67London: It has come to my notice that of those of you who are not a) wearing sensible shoes and backpacks b) speaking french c) travelling in pre-pubescent dayglo herds are on your mobile phone and complaining about your job. Very loudly. At great length. In a monotone voice.Whilst I sympathise with your employment plight I should just

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-2792326248810692052008-08-20T18:32:00.004+01:002008-08-20T18:37:12.037+01:00

There is a crab on the pavement, next to the bus stop. It is whole. Dead. About 8 inches wide, without its front claws, which are lying near to it. How did it get there? Did it walk ? Was it dropped by a passing seagull?Poor crab.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-6519080452453288542008-08-18T15:10:00.003+01:002008-08-18T15:40:33.111+01:00

live tea makingOriginally uploaded by etcher67Somewhere in between rainy moor walks, cream teas and swimming in the sea I have developed the urge to buy a concertina.I think it may all be Bella Hardy's fault.Hmmm.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-27947311206598791152008-08-07T12:13:00.002+01:002008-08-07T12:13:58.606+01:00

wind chimesOriginally uploaded by etcher67Ah, a bit of relaxation: that's what I'm after.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-59905198470330785202008-08-01T12:37:00.003+01:002008-08-01T16:03:14.754+01:00

yarn pornOriginally uploaded by etcher67I admit it. I've got a yarn problem. It's the colours! The pretty colours! And the softy stroky aspect, but mainly the colours! Look at the colours!My sense of colour has always been a bit off-whack compared to everyone else's. Though frankly it's the rest of you, not me. Why do you not think pink, red and orange is a delicious combination? Or purple and

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-24831230046572091762008-07-31T17:09:00.002+01:002008-07-31T17:18:42.980+01:00

knitting with plarnOriginally uploaded by etcher67So; the obvious thing to do when it's hot out is to start knitting with plastic bags, isn't it? This has taken about 10 bags so far, and I find myself in the unusual position of wishing I had more plastic bags in the cupboard under the sink. Theoretically I'm knitting a bag. What else would you knit with bags?. It's a bit hard going because the

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-14871793626085012882008-07-29T12:53:00.002+01:002008-07-29T12:55:14.829+01:00

stuffing lemons with saltOriginally uploaded by etcher67That was a bit of a break, wasn't it? I have been preserving lemons (not all of the time). It is absurdly easy: you slit them in four, stuff them with salt and whack them into a jar. If you are me you also forget to check that they will fit through the jar top and end up with lemon juice all over your face. After that you watch with

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-11491803084730556162008-06-27T17:44:00.002+01:002008-06-27T17:44:40.557+01:00

red shoeOriginally uploaded by etcher67Er....

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-13879589427337609732008-06-06T14:23:00.002+01:002008-06-06T14:25:58.978+01:00

WIPsOriginally uploaded by etcher67Clearly I have a short attention span, but there is something very pleasant about waking up and thinking 'I am going to knit a dishcloth with that greeny-goldern yarn'. I am going to cast on now, and nix to the other three things I am already knitting.So I am. I knitted a lot of it in bed, too, which is also a very pleasant thing. With luck I shall finish it

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-8085711717255504002008-05-31T18:16:00.006+01:002008-05-31T18:33:00.131+01:00

1. Melly (the ukulelle.)2. Geraniums (red).3. 1500+ (the estimate just keeps going UP) CDs. Out of the boxes. There is carpet!4. Lost (after all this time - who would have believed it?).5. Mitred squares.6. That ukulele (again...oh my god...it's gorgeous).7. Two in the kennel.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-8291821368328107842008-05-30T15:55:00.002+01:002008-05-30T16:01:33.745+01:00

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-28877520426951708802008-05-22T07:56:00.001+01:002008-05-22T07:58:14.610+01:00

I have lost my metaphor. It is small, pale and intricate and slipped away at some point in the last two years.If you see it, please return it.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-20593760940973588762008-05-19T18:39:00.004+01:002008-05-19T18:44:55.377+01:00

There is a mouse living in my back garden, under one of my plant containers. Every now and again I catch sight of it, wandering about. As it is neither in the shed (riddled) or in the kitchen (war ongoing) I am in a quandary. I have come to regard mice as a bad thing, something that I ought to Deal With; but this one is outside: it is cute, it is brown, and it isn't wandering through my cupboards

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-26086766879295347192008-05-16T12:03:00.004+01:002008-05-16T12:05:43.558+01:00

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-26952312365434275512008-05-09T18:15:00.000+01:002008-05-09T18:18:49.205+01:00

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-75969649261282910272008-05-08T20:14:00.005+01:002008-05-08T20:22:23.316+01:00

There are twelve yellow ukuleles sitting in my living room.Twelve ukuleles is a lot of tuning. I can say this quite confidently, even though I have thus far tuned only six. I shall have to keep tuning them over and over again now for a week at least before they remain even vaguely in tune for longer than an hour.It's going to be a long week. (How can it be longer than the last?!)The last taut

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-65001122185052104742008-05-06T19:15:00.006+01:002008-05-06T19:25:16.237+01:00

I can tell you're all on the edge of your seats wondering about my beans and the potential snail flash-mob, so I thought I'd just pop in to let you know that the beans still appear to be there. I can only guess that this is because the snails don't yet have their watches synchronised.Either that or they are in negotiation with the powerful slug overlords over who's getting the French, and who the

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-63503263346828332732008-05-05T18:16:00.002+01:002008-05-05T18:19:20.843+01:00

beans Originally uploaded by etcher67 I have today planted out three kinds of bean in my garden (runner, French and broad, since you ask). I am now working hard not to imagine all the snails in south east London turning as one towards my garden and crawling slowly, slowly, closer and closer to my vulnerable vegetable patch.I shall probably plant the tomatoes next weekend. It'll give them some

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-9137998140316912732008-05-02T13:08:00.004+01:002008-05-02T13:09:50.908+01:00

The washing is now wetter than it was when it came out of the machine.*sigh*

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-9986242413619943052008-05-01T08:08:00.002+01:002008-05-01T08:10:32.425+01:00

I have noticed that the last two posts ended with the word 'damn'; a word which can only mean that I am feeling slightly peeved.Damn.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-41862219815151075072008-05-01T07:56:00.003+01:002008-05-01T08:08:21.714+01:00

I woke up really early this morning. In the end I gave up staring at the ceiling and obsessing about level 4/5a writing whilst wondering vaguely at the significance of a dream involving having meetings outside in the rain; opened the curtains and read my book. Now that I have to go to work I feel tired. Damn.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-14501464906625567962008-04-22T16:24:00.001+01:002008-04-22T16:26:09.029+01:00

I can find no more reasons to avoid doing today's marking.Damn.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-78975246201647961682008-04-21T18:39:00.002+01:002008-04-21T18:40:56.486+01:00

Peter Originally uploaded by etcher67 For three weeks we forgot to do the Lottery. We forgot the bit when we promise ourselves that we don't really think we will win, the bit where don't win but we joke that we will definitely win next week, and the bit where we are secretly disappointed that we didn't win because actually we kind of hoped prayed dreamed a little bit that we might .Back to

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-30098332280611430502008-04-19T12:16:00.001+01:002008-04-19T12:16:20.498+01:00

seed Originally uploaded by etcher67

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-60433378418177506522008-04-18T09:19:00.000+01:002008-04-18T09:20:28.289+01:00

My seeds are up.It is exciting.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-48580512107585557162008-04-08T19:25:00.004+01:002008-04-08T19:31:29.428+01:00

another ex bushOriginally uploaded by etcher67 I have slain the bush! (Should that be slayed?) It is an ex bush. Do not mourn the bush, for it was dull and full of black fly and flowered for only ten minutes. Also while I was at the garden centre buying compost and stuff I accidentally bought a blackcurrant bush, which will keep the perchless sparrows very happy. I might even get a

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-43529550230122090542008-04-07T18:04:00.003+01:002008-04-07T18:07:47.299+01:00

I stalked a lady around Marks and Spencer today because I liked her jumper, and thought I recognised the pattern. In the end I managed to admire it out loud and we stood and had a little conversation about knitting and yarn and the jumper. I like random conversations, there should be more of them.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-2742867714141716352008-04-06T18:15:00.002+01:002008-04-06T18:17:41.841+01:00

sh Originally uploaded by etcher67 I am seasonally confused, so I have (finally) pulled down the large cupboard in the corner of my bathroom. As usual this proved more complicated than I imagined it would be, as the switch for the (long gone) immersion heater still seems to be there. I have no idea whether it's live or not, (probably not: what would it be attached to?) but decided that today

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-36868883644773075112008-04-03T17:48:00.004+01:002008-04-03T18:07:17.571+01:00

It is the holidays at long last. Marvellous.Today I foolishly forgot that I was a middle aged woman for a brief moment and played stick-in-the-mud with my class in the warm afternoon sun. This was brilliant until I fell over; resulting in a loud bang and an impressive set of grazes. I had forgotten how much falling over at speed hurts (the relative speed of a 40yr old, though there's a lot more

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-4686208404239228912008-03-30T17:48:00.002+01:002008-03-30T17:49:49.646+01:00

spring flowers Originally uploaded by etcher67 1) Happy dogs in the park.2) Eavesdropping.3) Uncomfortable benches.4) Free chocolate in the paper (this is much much better than a DVD IMO.)5) BST (though I shall curse it tomorrow morning.)6)Toad in the hole.7) Garden plans.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-41117022291575435232008-03-28T17:03:00.001Z2008-03-28T17:04:37.027Z

I have bought a new belt. Brown. Leather. Longer than the last (and therefore strangely less accusing).I thought you should know.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-77611872463248693102008-03-28T10:23:00.003Z2008-03-28T10:34:39.969Z

Weather a bit miserable.Car insurance renewed, and price cut by £140.15 minutes on phone to bank over possible fraud embarrassingly resolved by faulty memory kicking in. Need a haircut.Desperately need a different cardigan.Two knitting projects underway, neither near completion.Dithering about cutting down bush for vegetable patch due to guilt over where sparrows will perch.Bins need putting

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-88992140626028142442008-03-26T18:21:00.002Z2008-03-26T18:22:45.839Z

sitting Originally uploaded by etcher67 There was a point shortly after this picture was taken when I achieved a completely relaxed state for the first time in about six weeks. It was really, really, lovely. Sadly by 9.30 am yesterday I had gone back to the the place close to the end of my tether which seems to be my more normal home right now. Fortunately it turns out that there is quite a

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-58081198478665300852008-03-14T18:00:00.007Z2008-03-14T18:15:13.872Z

When I stood in front of a mirror this lunchtime I realised that at some point in the last few weeks I have morphed into a middle-aged mod. When and how did this happen, and why did no-one let me know?I tried to go dancing last night: I honestly did. I really felt like going, and lord knows I need the exercise. I got as far as finding suitable clothes and doing make up and putting on my dance

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-61885232465022539162008-03-12T17:29:00.005Z2008-03-13T07:59:58.429Z

I should have known today when I put on the red and purple striped jumper that I would smash a plate into the staffroom bin in the middle of a rant about why nobody cares enough to wash up the odd teaspoon until they are piling up in the sink like spillikins thrown by a spoilt child I should have known today when I put on the red and purple striped jumper that I would end up in voicemail hell and

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-67237152587221557352008-03-07T14:34:00.004Z2008-03-07T15:02:19.265Z

Some days, the need for a day off is more pronounced than others. Thank goodness for days off. Every now and again I contemplate the 20% pay rise that working five days a week would bring, but generally some kind soul reminds me that teaching five days a week is a fast track to personal bad temper and general insanity. Given my current level of personal bad temper and general insanity this would

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-18465306741406958552008-03-03T18:11:00.002Z2008-03-03T18:14:19.145Z

industrial landscape Originally uploaded by etcher67 I went out on my bike to see if my legs still worked, as I don't seem to have bothered using them much for the last year or so and I got puffed walking up a hill the other day. Not even a very big hill. I was ashamed, so Something Must be Done. When I got home my legs wobbled for a good 15 minutes, but today they are fine. My neck aches,

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-27042123739811227532008-02-26T12:54:00.004Z2008-02-26T13:25:17.000Z

I was dragged into 'the out' on Saturday, having spent much of my week s[k]ulking on the sofa. We walked to Plumstead where we didn't get books at the library and did get semolina flour from the Indian supermarket. On the way back we wandered the scenic route, and circled St Nicholas' church, wondering at its strange mush of styles and brickwork. We must have been pointing and staring, because a

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-68259076238709868682008-02-22T18:31:00.003Z2008-02-23T10:38:17.771Z

Heh. Facebook's user figures have dropped.I'm such a trendsetter.(Um, or a sheep.)(Baaaa.)

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-47272724681241074492008-02-21T18:01:00.007Z2008-02-21T18:43:40.902Z

I am wondering just how much wronger I can get the jumper that I cast on this afternoon to be. Incidentally, please don't mention the tank top: after spending a few evenings holding it up against my expanded post-Christmas belly I've left it in the bottom of a bag in the hope that it'll grow on it's own, or I'll shrink: the former being more likely, frankly.I'm getting used to the idea that I

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-40980343481294068252008-02-19T12:12:00.003Z2008-02-19T12:20:27.087Z

It's half term, and the sun is trying to shine.I might walk to the library.I might buy Indian snacks.I might bake bread.I might play my ukulele.I might finish my knitting.I might look for a new job.I might take some pictures.I might feel better.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-55214617729531538122008-02-15T14:52:00.004Z2008-02-15T15:07:22.449Z

Just past the point where things can get no worse. Just at the point when a tiny pin-prick of light appears at the end of a very long tunnel. Just at the point where I decide to give things until May before I resign. Just at the point where I raise my head and realise that the last 5 months have been untenable, the Ofsted juggernaut appears and runs us down. The report is unpublished and the

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-13293741351851175362008-02-04T18:26:00.000Z2008-02-04T18:43:12.210Z

I'm on a self-imposed knitting ban, as my shoulder hurts. I don't think it's the knitting really, but it isn't helping any so I'm taking a few days off. Fortunately I have just bought the biggest book in the world to read: Peter Ackroyd's 'London: The Biography'*. This tome is so massive that I have serious plans to use it as a kitchen step if I can't get through it. I was quite daunted by its

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-8675371039981172512008-02-01T10:02:00.000Z2008-02-01T10:25:52.730Z

I am knitting a tank top*. I haven't worn a tank top since Grandma knitted me one in 1975** , but here I am, knitting one. It is very stress-relieving, especially the bits where you have to start it four times, realise you are actually following the wrong pattern and spend hours agonising about what to do about the four inches you've knitted already (whilst watching a really horrible programme

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-36257966529864324602008-01-27T11:01:00.001Z2008-01-27T11:11:24.384Z

Once again the email informing me of my million-pound lottery win has gone astray. It is most irritating. I can only hope that the national lottery are using my unclaimed millions for worthwhile causes.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-51004414591563369112008-01-24T18:10:00.001Z2008-01-24T18:46:41.963Z

At work we've recently had a slew of kids with ASD, ADHD and a variety of other initials join our classes. Not that we didn't have our fair share already. There's now roughly one child with some sort of diagnosis per class, and more like two, really. It brings an extra dimension to teaching when you have to deal with Lego obsessives and impromptu aerobics exhibitions, the blu-tac fiddlers and the

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-44673880416637205492008-01-19T16:28:00.000Z2008-01-19T16:34:16.210Z

I have knitted a scarf!

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-71950241411464483732008-01-18T10:07:00.000Z2008-01-18T10:10:50.864Z

I am the number one Google search result for 'ukulele knitting'.I am faintly proud.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-22317890449326335862008-01-17T18:50:00.000Z2008-01-17T18:58:11.752Z

I deleted my Facebook account. It all got a bit dull, what with the waiting for pages to load so I could see adverts; and the endless notifications that someone else had received a message from someone I'd never heard of. The only thing left that was interesting about it was looking at other people's photographs, and I have flickr for that already.This entry is dull.I am going to have macaroni

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-63092849689761296432008-01-14T18:51:00.000Z2008-01-14T18:56:37.928Z

What better thing is there to do on a sopping wet Saturday afternoon than to stand in the sea in your wellies? Even if a wave does come along and go over the top of your boots.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-39872616492573938132008-01-10T17:29:00.000Z2008-01-10T17:42:04.537Z

My new rolling pin has arrived! I have already spent several happy minutes brandishing it, in the style of a 1950's housewife faced with a mouse, only I was in school at the time of its arrival so got to brandish it at children which was surely much more fun.It has come just in the nick of time to miss all the Christmas baking that we did, where much rolling had to be carried out with the aid of

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-32946682410626379902008-01-08T17:48:00.000Z2008-01-08T18:31:49.530Z

The scarf is growing. It is about as long as a scarf that is a bit too short, and I may well finish it by the weekend. I am going away for the weekend, to a place where knitting would be a Good Thing to do. I want to knit something else: a shrug, another scarf, a bag, my Etsy fortune.* I must find something else to knit, and some wool, no, yarn by the weekend.I spend long hours perusing free

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-63372789608706121462008-01-07T17:59:00.000Z2008-01-07T18:23:09.682Z

A group of girls huddle around me in the playground; and to take our minds off the wind and the puddles underfoot I ask about their Christmases: were they good? What did they get?They all agree that it was good, and they got good things. They tell me about their upcoming holidays, and then one asks me: what did I get for Christmas? My mind goes immediately blank. Ermmm...what did I get for

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-80118764015458777462008-01-03T15:53:00.000Z2008-01-03T16:20:29.336Z

I have taken up knitting. I am hoping that it will help to save me from insanity by giving me something vaguely creative to do with my hands during the times when my brain is frazzled. Which unfortunately is most of the time during term time. I am knitting a scarf. It is multicoloured and currently about 16 inches long, which is officially too short for my neck. Still, so far I am enjoying the

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-24250662842805889632008-01-02T11:03:00.000Z2008-01-02T11:16:02.757Z

I am feeling a bit sorry for the person who found this blog by searching 'January 2008 reasons to be cheerful'. I know that feeling. I have been there done that.It would be too obvious to suggest getting an ukulele (though...)Might I suggest cooking something for yourself from a recipe: perhaps a nice healthy soup, or if that isn't your idea of cheering yourself up (I am strangely cheered by

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-85839065476657835942008-01-01T17:53:00.001Z2008-01-01T17:56:50.879Z

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-87281770617029237642007-11-15T15:42:00.000Z2007-11-15T15:50:15.630Z

*cough*Really dull, this is...*cough*One can only practise the ukulele for so long before getting sore fingers, I find. Much surfing of the internet ensues. Sometimes a bit of drawing. I've drunk so much tea that I'm back to the cheap stuff. The fact that I only realised this today and I've been drinking it for four days says something about my cold-ridden taste buds. It tastes foul, but I guess

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-3755358989877035972007-11-12T09:57:00.000Z2007-11-12T10:52:27.302Z

I am not really skiving, I have a cold. Fortunately it is the kind of cold where words will still come out of my fingers, although the mouth is having trouble and tears are far too easy to come by. Don't be too sympathetic, I'll be better by tomorrow I expect and I'm getting to sit about in my dressing gown and slippers which is most enjoyable.Having nothing whatsoever to say, I naturally decided

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-87508179355863395402007-10-19T15:14:00.000+01:002007-10-19T15:36:44.854+01:00

Just up to my neck in un-bloggable work stuff, I'm afraid. That and the fact that I now feel the urge to keep my private life actually private, and have not the time or inclination to write about it through the filters I used to use. In other words, I'm too busy getting on with it to blog about it. Does this mean I'm all growed up? (Of course not.)I expect I shall be back in a more regular sense

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-67978843942308628332007-09-27T19:07:00.000+01:002007-09-27T19:21:59.829+01:00

I am pleased with myself. I have just heard that I passed all of my level 2 BSL (British Sign Language) exams, something which at one point I seriously doubted I was capable of. I almost left the course on several occasions, the lowest of which involved my sign language teacher chasing me down the road and stopping my car. Not one of my prouder moments. In the end, the hard work has been worth it

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-51775553504847816462007-09-22T11:29:00.000+01:002007-09-22T11:35:38.236+01:00

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-54288445598143627622007-09-08T10:43:00.000+01:002007-09-08T10:47:46.235+01:00

He may only be a Big Dog, but he is the funny.

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-45983796314766264842007-09-04T12:58:00.000+01:002007-09-05T07:40:52.513+01:00

Things to do on your first day back at school:1. Find your cup.2. Colour in all the days off for the next year in your new diary (thanks to Lectrice for that one).3. Correct the grammar and spellings in all the staff meeting handouts with a red pen. 4. Compile a list of words to describe an irritating member of staff (including 'supercilious' and 'self-aggrandising').5. Make a list of things to

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-26588312463735842012007-09-02T20:11:00.000+01:002007-09-02T20:16:13.475+01:00

I am disappointed because yet again, my lottery numbers were wrong and I cannot ring my boss and tell him where to shove his job.I was going to try to improve my life with cosmic ordering instead, but I cannot decide where to put Venus.I think I'll have a biscuit.

Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-47796402567746721942007-08-31T15:59:00.000+01:002007-08-31T16:02:37.753+01:00

I had big plans for today. I was going to do loads of stuff, but I got sidetracked by cups of tea and my reload button.There's always tomorrow.

Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-14186128291006577342007-08-30T12:17:00.000+01:002007-08-30T12:18:28.057+01:00

I woke up late.That's all, so far.

Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-47392463178707373882007-08-29T08:33:00.000+01:002007-08-29T08:35:53.835+01:00

I have been invited to blog here while Cheerful One is away.I do not know what to say.

Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-85570729287503223982007-08-20T14:31:00.000+01:002007-08-20T14:37:34.682+01:00

I am coming to the conclusion that I am actually quite scared of being creative. I will do almost anything (and with Facebook, one needs hardly anything at all) to avoid taking one of my many ideas and turning them into something which might conceivably be A Bit Shit. More scrabble, perhaps....do the windows need cleaning? I ought to put some socks on, I think I'll just do some gardening. I'm

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-50654506644029829872007-08-19T18:53:00.001+01:002007-08-19T18:55:23.857+01:00

tablecloth Originally uploaded by etcher67 1. The Rite of Spring. Monster guiros, Batman!2. Leffe. I really like Leffe. Yes I do. Really.3. Nigel Slater's August 14th. Good grief: unfeasably delicious.4. Zatoichi. 5. Wellies! A bargain at £9.99. No, they aren't flowery.6. Blackberry picking (in wellies).7. Shortbread baking (also in wellies, as it happens).8. Freecycle. I have freecycled away

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-17073440162988386982007-08-17T09:04:00.001+01:002007-08-17T09:05:39.130+01:00

bus stop alien 2 Originally uploaded by etcher67 Whilst on the number 48 bus the other day from London Bridge to Hackney imagine my excitement when I spotted something which I read about months ago - the bus stop aliens! Formed from potatoes with a variety of stickish things poked into them they rest on the tops of bus stops on Shoreditch High Street. I'm not sure whether they have any

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-71700296163331211482007-08-16T09:01:00.001+01:002007-08-16T11:35:55.293+01:00

cheese!Originally uploaded by etcher67 I have made cheese! It was terribly easy, and involved only a pint of whole milk, a stocking and some lemon juice. Next I am going to get some spinach and cook it with the cheese to make Sag Paneer.It's all gone a bit Country Living around here, what with the cheese making and the gardening. I am currently waiting impatiently for the purple sprouting

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-77400640478098463972007-08-09T18:07:00.001+01:002007-08-09T18:14:22.347+01:00

the evil tree gets itOriginally uploaded by etcher67 1) A nice long walk in the sun at 8.30 (No, really: surprisingly pleasant to be up and mobile at that hour).2) Friendly chaps removing Ugly Fir Trees and rubble. At one point six burly blokes in the back garden. Is this a record?3) The prospect of a Lovely Plum Tree to replace Ugly Fir Tree.4) Laying on the bed asleep with my face in the sun

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-2597857124343505052007-08-08T15:06:00.001+01:002007-08-08T15:08:07.196+01:00

smasherOriginally uploaded by etcher67 My new best friend is called Smasher. Smasher is working on a small project at the moment entitled 'Kill the evil concrete monstrosity'. Smasher is a bit slow, because a) there's a lot of concrete and it's monstrous, b) there is also a lot of soil, which Smasher refuses to move so I have to do it, and c) the concrete is heavy and requires moving out of

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-67349286951434929162007-08-06T09:48:00.001+01:002007-08-06T09:53:16.398+01:00

fountainOriginally uploaded by etcher67 1. Sausage egg and chips with gossip. Two sorts of food.2. Barbecued bananas. Stick them on the dying barbecue in their skins until they are black, and then eat them with Co-Op chocolate ice cream. Sit back and await your diabetic coma. Mmmmyum.3. A lot of lying down. Not inactivity, because of conversations. Just stimulating intellectual discourse

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23970591.post-16188511462227701222007-08-02T18:22:00.000+01:002007-08-02T19:07:48.379+01:00

I had my third and final level 2 sign language exam today. I had to have a conversation with my sign-language tutor about 'what I usually do for my holidays'. This is surprisingly reminiscent of those awful essays teachers set children on their return to school (let's not think about that too hard), but was distinctly more inspiring than the alternatives 'car breakdown' or 'a camping holiday'. My

Cheerful Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340048782530429964noreply@blogger.com