12/06/2009 by Aileen.

Monday. Housework done to my usual standards (!) Enjoyable evening in old part of Hull taking photos. What was sad was that a policeman stopped me and asked if I’d seen a ‘poorly’ woman wrapped in a duvet. She was a heroine addict. Police and ambulance crew were looking down all the cobbled ’staithes’ (long narrow alleyways leading to the river) One ambulance man said she was probably in the river by now. Here is a photo from the evening.

I can’t remember Tuesday. Oh dear. Oh yes, I did some gardening.Pulled up three bags full of weeds!

Wednesday. Lovely morning birdwatching, and Norma came back for lunch. We had extended views of a barn owl at the birding location, and saw a heron being mobbed by crows back here. Here are a couple of photos from the morning.

 John was on a course on Wednesday and Thursday. About Transactional Analysis, which is a model for how people interact with each other. We can be seen as child, parent or adult. He really enjoyed it, and I’m hoping his body clock will get back to normal now. He isn’t up yet, but it’s before 9am, and he has two clients later, so he will have to get up. Three days of being awake during the day should help. He had slept quite well for the last two nights, although his pain does wake him up a lot.

I caught up with my OU Photography course yesterday. Also went to the dump, the library and Morrisons. ALso made jewellery on Second Life.

Today, I must go into Hull (outskirts) for Communion presents for the three girls I prepared. Their communion is on Sunday. I also need printer ink, as my black has run out, and I have NO spare colours in the house at all. I hardly print anything out, trying to be green, but did some photos of the ‘communion’ girls recently. ALso, the camera club meet in a pub after Monday’s excursion, and the idea is to share photos. I could bring my laptop along, but it’s an enormous beast, chosen ’specially for it’s large monitor.

Anyway, shall I go wake John up? Nah. Let him sleep.

Posted in friends, gardening, computer, Second Life, housework, birds, church, Open University, photos, Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

20/04/2009 by Aileen.

Bloody Hell! I got 96 % for my TMA! Childhood reminiscences. Nothing dramatic. Just happy memories. But I’ll record this on my other website -

www.rainbowpuddles.co.uk

Then we had a phone call on Saturday night, that John’s uncle had died peacefully in his sleep. He was nearly 90. He was a great character. Always making  jokes. When his sister, my mother-in-law, was in St Thomas’ Hospital, London, a few years ago he drove up from the coast to visit her. Coming out of the hospital you’re supposed to turn left, but as the wide road was clear he turned right, so he would know the way back! He used to drive all over the place, stopping frequently, because of his prostrate I think. In the last couple of years he moved up to Lincolnshire from Sussex to be near his son, and we kept meaning to visit them, but never got round to it. This is so typical of us. Maybe of everyone.

Anyway, there will be the funeral later this week - don’t know when yet - and we will meet up with the Welsh side of John’s family. They’re all zany.

We’re having a new upright freezer delivered tomorrow, as we saw a special offer in Hull the other day (end of range) and I hate the chest freezer we inherited when we moved here. I can never find anything in it. So it’s Sorting Out The Garage Day today. I’m supposed to be doing Church Cleaning tomorrow, but can’t make definite arrangements until we know when the freezer is coming, and when the funeral is.

And we also had a very pleasant weekend with Al and Trudy.  We dossed around on the Saturday, just going for a walk round one of the local ponds (made by extracting clay years ago) and on the Sunday we went to Hornsea with a picnic. Although there was quite a wind we were quite sheltered beside a groyne, and enjoyed watching the gulls. Trudy and I took photos. Poor John had a terrible night on the Saturday with his root pain so he stayed at home. We think it can be psychosomatic sometimes, as he had just heard his uncle had died. He also hates flying, and usually gets it before travelling as well. But there again, pain is a constant with him unfortunately.

Trudie and Al have just left, and I am enjoying a coffee and catching up on t’Internet, which I have neglected over the last few days. Then I must put some washing out, as it’s a lovely day for drying.

Viewfinders tonight, and I think we are going out on location. I must find out were. Bye for now.

Posted in friends, Open University | Print | No Comments »

18/04/2009 by Aileen.

I’m pleased with my hair but can’t possibly post a photo until I have some warpaint on.

Anyway, Trudie and Al are coming today for the weekend, so I got up early (nothing new in that) intending to go shopping and be home before 10am. Well I did my usual surfing of social networks and forums and then saw it was gone 9am and I wasn’t even showered.

So quick shower, down to the shops, and the post office was closed. It was only 8.20am! What am I like? Luckily the butchers was open so I got some braising steak, chicken, and ham. Decided the farm shop wouldn’t be open, and as it’s slightly out of the way I went to Morrisons istead and bought the shop up. Washing now on line, shopping away, beef marinating, and I’m on my  beloved laptop again.

I sent off TMA04 with seven hours to spare yesterday. It’s not brilliant, but I don’t think life writing (at least mine) lends itself to anything wonderful. Wish I’d done poems now, instead of prose. Anyway if I get in the 70% range I’ll be happy.

Posted in friends, writing, Open University | Print | No Comments »

11/01/2009 by Aileen.

Well, I’ve had a really lazy week last week. Visitors gone, TMA sent off, no ‘activities’ started yet except for Viewfinders (camera club)

I’ve spent the week slowly doing the guests’ sheets, putting away Christmas decorations (except one darn it) and virtuously (!) finishing off Christmas food so I don’t have to throw it away.

John’s worst ‘wound’ finally seems to have cleared up in the last couple of days, so he should be back to normal next week. (He got up over Christmas and New Year, but ideally should have been having bed rest to keep off the pressure point.) Anyway, I’ve resisted the temptation to give him a list of things to do. Only because I know he wouldn’t do them!

I’ve spent such an enjoyable day. I took the Children’s Liturgy at Mass this mornint, and saw Francesca, whom I’m preparing for First Holy Communion. I just wish that I didn’t keep watching myself perform. I feel I’m putting on an act instead of behaving naturally.

Then this afternoon I’ve spent an enjoyable time getting to grips with ‘positioning’ on my secret web site. It isn’t that private after all,  so although it is far from perfect you can find it at

www.rainbowpuddles.co.uk

Please don’t laugh at it. It’s meant to be serious. Also, I’ve built it up from scratch - no templates involved (apart from the blog bit) so it really is amateurish.

I’ve planned next week in Outlook, so feel really organised. The church leaves Christmastide and enters into Ordinary Time today, and my ‘activities’ are starting up next week, so I feel this is the beginning of 2009 for me.

And let’s hope it’s a good one for all.

I’m well aware of the dreadful problems in the Middle East at the moment, as well as conflict and famine elsewhere. I feel so helpless. Simon Covey talks about our ‘circle of influence.’ I can’t do much about current afffairs, but I do try to present a positive outlook to those I know and love.

Simon Covey also says we can increase out Circle of Influence. Maybe this year I will have to try and do that.

BTW Simon Covey is author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and other books.  Google him.

Posted in family, friends, website | Print | No Comments »

09/12/2008 by Aileen.

Just sitting here quietly having a cuppa before I hit the motorway. I’m travelling down to Kev and Mag’s in Epsom, as tomorrow, in Wimbledon, I am meeting four friends I used to teach with yonks ago. I think I left St. Cecilias in 1985? It should be good fun.

The SL exhibition is almost ready - I only have to put photos in the virtual frames! Funny thing is - I was looking for photos to show my friends, but they’re all on the computer. I have a lot (497!) on my Ipod Touch but the screen is so small. Oh well. Never happy.

Posted in friends | Print | No Comments »

07/09/2008 by Aileen.

Well, it’s been quite hectic this weekend. Even sitting at a bedsite is tiring.

Anyway, I’m on  my own at M and F’s. Fiona went to Cornwall for the weekend with her Bookclub. As it was the summer holidays they decided to read Anna Karenina, but at least two of them didn’t, so before they left on Friday they were ringing up the video shop for the DVD!

Martin went to a birthday party back in Surbiton last night and stayed there overnight.

I went that direction too, but we couldn’t go together. I went to Epsom in the afternoon to Kevin’s. Our cousin Iris was over from Australia. I haven’t met her since her dad’s funeral in ‘91 and we didn’t have much time for personal chat then. She is great fun. So is Mick her husband.  She filled in a few details about her parents’ background and personality that we didn’t know. Oo-er!

Before meeting her I stopped at Kingston and went to John Lewis. Bought a cover for my lovely new Ipod Touch, but although the  assistant assured me it had a protective screen I didn’t realise it was one of those flimsy stick-on plastic sheets. Might have to exchange it for a wallet, but they were bulkier (obviously).

When parking the car I saw a woman I thought I knew. An hour later she was sitting at the next table to me in John Lewis’s café. I could only think she was one of the First Communion parents I’ve met over the years. She had an attractive teenage girl with her. Then I (rather cleverly) looked at the man they were with. It was Tim Sheehan, the deputy head of OLI school. After finishing my skimpy salad, roll and coffee (£8.99) I spoke to them. Tim is now head. It was good seeing them. I had been thinking of calling on someone in the area while I was there, but I always seem to turn up ininvited to Trudy’s. Chris needs about 6 month’s notice so I counted her out. Tricia has retired to Cornwall, and I don’t really know any one else well enough to land on unannounced. I didn’t even call in at the presbytery, as unless Anthony Charlton was there I would porbably be confronted with strangers.

I had to miss my photography group’s exhibition at Skidby this weekend. I could have worked it out to be home, but with Iris over from Australia I decided family came first. I wasn’t even going to exhibit anything, as I haven’t been attending for ages, and had done nothing to help prepare for the exhibition. Kate persuaded me to contribute and kept me in touch my taking a photo of my board. It will be here for 3 weeks.

http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Id is                                                 t0qyw47yy

Password is                                     vy3he1

Anyway, I only saw John for about three hours last night, and I was a bit niggly with him as I was really tired. He had asked me to buy a little radio with earphones and we were trying to set up some preset stations, but he will not follow instructions and was expecting me to do it. Also, we’re both going a bit deaf and the ward tv was blaring. I must admit he is much more reasonable than I am. He could rationalise why he was niggly, and could also apologise. I was just niggly.

Anyway, I came back to M and F’s to an empty house, and went to bed without going on Second Life! I did, however, access my A215 (Creative Writing) materials which are now online, and made a start with that.

Am now feeling really refreshed with a glass of orange, coffee and toast. Will go to 11am Mass at Headingley, on to John, then back to Yorkshire to pick up post (OUstuff???) cut grass, make a fuss of cats, potter etc.

Wow. What a long post. Wonder who will read to the end?

Posted in shopping, family, friends, Open University, Uncategorized | Print | 2 Comments »

24/06/2008 by Aileen.

I’ve had such a lovely day. I met Tess for the first time. We’ve chatted on the OU forums, Facebook and (recently) Second Life. We seemed to have so much in common - write poetry, sense of humour, similar personalities, religion, nature, as well has having similar family histories. Well Tess came to my house today and we found we really did get on in Real Life. We both had cameras (another thing in common) but were so busy talking we forgot to take any photos.

Then this evening I had my camera club and we went to this wonderful land owned by a man who manages it for wild life. Two bird handlers were brought in and we took lots of piccies. The owl below was tame, but I went off on my own and found a ‘real’ barn owl. Unfortunately, although it was near me it was flying too fast for sharp pictures.

Posted in friends, birds, photos | Print | No Comments »

19/04/2008 by Aileen.

Off to Leeds Met this morning for a tutorial on the 60s (which is history now!) This block is going to be really interesting - and nostalgic for me - but I only have one week left of my website design course, and I have to produce a 3000 word report on my design for an imaginary firm. I’ve designed a web site, which all links up nicely, but the design is all over the place. I’m still prepared to fail, but at least I’ve learnt loads. Failure might be a salutary experience for me, as the only other thing I have failed is my driving test the first time round. (And of course, dozens and dozens of maths exams at school. I wasn’t even allowed to take the normal Maths O Level, and had to do somerthing called Business Maths - compound interest and stuff to get us through life I suppose. At Teacher’s Training College I had to do another exam to prove that I could actually do a but of maths. I must have passed as I got in)

That reminds me - my friend Teresa rang last night. I was at school and college with her. Her husband died a year ago on Thursday. I can’t believe a year has gone by since I last saw her. We are going to meet up once my studying is finished. Teresa went on to become a headteacher, and was/is also an OFSTED inspector. Teresa! How could you! I think she got a distinction at college. We were in the year before B.Eds came in and those with distinctions were eligible for the degreee. I think. I’ve always been a bit vague about details. Hence my problem with the website course. Every little colon or bracket actually means something!

Oops! I failed my first deputy head interview (got the second) and failed an interview at the Tooting Bec Religous Centre (or some such name) for becoming the schools adviser. I also totally failed at being a deputy. I hated being stuck between a really nice head and some nice staff who really dug their heels in whenever the (new) head tried to bring about some change. I left after four or five terms.

Posted in school, friends, Open University | Print | No Comments »

06/04/2008 by Aileen.

We’ve just watched Kelly Holmes carrying the Olympic torch surrounded by security and police! I am so glad the protest about Tibet was violence free. It was a great opportunity to draw attention to the plight of Tibetans, and the protesters made their point.

I grew up with romantic notions of the O. Games, learning that in Ancient Greece all wars and differences were put aside for the duration of the games. (Not sure how true this was, but it seemed very commendable. Seems either impossible or daft now.) Anyway, now I see the games as an opportunity to make political points, and sports and politics do mix. It would have been wonderful if, when Kelly had lit the fire, she had pulled off her sports vest and revealed a Free Tibet vest underneath. No such luck.
I have always had a soft spot for Tibet. In good old St Vincents Junior School we had to choose a country to study. People were getting into groups choosing Spain ande France etc. so I pored over a map and chose the smallest most insignificant blob of a country I could find. I chose Tibet. Imagine my dismay when I discovered that at the other side of the class Eleanor, ‘my best friend whom I hated’, had chosen Tibet too. Her memories are different to mine, but I distinctly remember that gut churning dismay and spite when I realised she had chosen the same as me.

22.00hours

Oops! There was violence!  Anyway, I wanted to revise what I said. This isn’t about politics, it’s about basic human rights.(As someone on the tv said this evening)

One thing I find strange is people’s inconsistency. Pro-lifers, who presumably think life is sacred, will injure pro-abortion doctors.

Oh well! ‘There’s nowt as queer as folk!’

Posted in news, friends | Print | No Comments »

04/04/2008 by Aileen.

It was great meeting so many old acquaintances. 18 of us out of about 30. I think we have all worn very well, and will post a picture of us in a minute. Veronica, our head girl, organised the day, and organised us by getting us to move places every so often so we got to speak to everyone. She even managed to get hold of a bell!!!

I was pleased that many of us had happy memories of school, as I was happy there. Sorry that some people weren’t. I agree that the nuns weren’t the best at careers advice, and of course Sr Magdalen was doolally to put it mildly. (’Pray about it girls!’)

Can’t wait until the next reunion.

Posted in friends | Print | No Comments »