Post Comment Love 24th-26th March 2023 Ramadan Kareem

Welcome back to #pocolo with Stephanie from Lifeat139a and I.

Ramadan Kareem to all my Muslim Friends around the World. Having lived in Dubai for 7 years, we've observed Ramadan and I've been keeping an eye out the past two nights for the crescent moon. Although we're in the UK now and Ramadan does not affect our day to day life, it did have a huge impact on us whilst we were in Dubai in regards to being able to eat and drink in public during the day. We're in Dubai over the UK Easter Holidays and much has changed since we lived there, it will be interesting to see how things have changed for non muslims in regards to coffee shops and food courts going from being closed in the day when we first arrived to being screened. Our last Ramadan in Dubai in 2021 we noticed more and more places open and lots of screening removed.

Peter has been working hard outside levelling and preparing the ground to lay the patio, including a path around the new extension. Hoping for some more dry weather as the lawn is a quagmire and the dog is leaving muddy prints on the kitchen floor.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week and all we ask is that you leave a comment on either mine or Stephanie's post which you linked up through and at least one other post. We'd also love it if you could RT us on Twitter when we tag you to help us reach a wider audience.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the weekend.

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We've got the builders in.

We decided on our return to the UK that we'd stay in our former family home until the time comes for us to downsize and possible do away with stairs and a garden.

We love living in Malvern and our location is perfect, we looked around at other properties and even put an offer in one one place, but then we looked a the costs of solicitors, removal firms, stamp duty, estate agent fees plus all the work we'd want to do to personalise the new place. So we decided to stay put.

We had a new kitchen fitted last year, the guttering, drain pipes and fascias have all been replaced. We've done a couple of other repairs and we're having a single story extension built.

Before

After

Back in 2005 we converted the garage to a dining room and converted the loft to make an extra 2 bedrooms. But we've never had enough downstairs space. The conservatory was off the lounge and as the garden is North facing, it never got any sun and was too cold in the winter to use, so it's come down, a new room is off the dining room and outside the lounge doors (which are being replaced also) there will be a covered seating area.

We found these builders at a trade stand at The 3 Counties Autumn Fair in 2022. We paid £500 for plans and drawings up front and the rest is due upon completion around 4 weeks after the build starts.

Before

View from inside

View from outside

The work started while we were away, we came home to this 3 days after the work started.

We then went away for another two days and came home to this:

This was Monday.

This was Tuesday - one week on.

The work went really quickly after that, with two fitters, two plasterers and 2 electricians and on day 13 they were gone. I made the payment over the phone at 4pm, all the rubbish tidied and the skip was collected on the Monday morning.

Now the hard work begins. The plaster and the floor is still drying. Peter is in the middle of laying a new patio. The lawn has dried up a little, then it's painting, tiling the floor and moving the furniture in.

I received no compensation for the post, just want to sign post you to Dunraven for a job well done.

Week 11 2023 Project 365 and One Daily Positive

Before we left the UK in January 2011 we closed down several bank accounts, credit cards and paid off phone contracts etc. Randomly we keep getting letters about outstanding balances, always around £5, that we either owe them or they owe us. 

Peter has spent the week in the garden digging down to lay the new patio, thankfully he is now working under cover, but it is hard work. 

We've been binge watching The Gold and Twelve on player and thoroughly enjoyed both programmes. 

71 Sunday After a late night I slept in till 8.30am. then over breakfast and several cups of tea friend and I resumed comedic escapades to one another that have occurred since our last get together. Her's includes getting an Alsatian puppy that howls and likes to run off with your sock while your foot is still inside it. Into town to meet up with another friend for Sunday lunch, home by 4pm and chilled out.

Monmouth.

72 Monday I got a lift home from work, then Peter dropped me and Bob in town, I went for a coffee and walked home over the common. Had dinner, a bath and watched the soaps and in bed by 9.30pm. I've lost some paperwork, its for a council tax refund and I've filled in my bank details, there's also a 'to do' list and a short story I wrote for my grandchildren. I've looked EVERYWHERE.

73 Tuesday Woke feeling under the weather, sore throat and aching all over, struggled through work. Late afternoon spent with the neighbour.

Dressing up fun.

74 Wednesday Strike day. My student was in as they are in 6th form. I had to sit an  invigilators test online. In the evening I volunteered at the local youth club.

I made a macramé key chain at the Youth Club.

75 Thursday Strike day, but I wasn't in school, not feeling too well. I spent most of the day in bed, but did change the sheets and did some washing. 

Gorgeous flowers from child 4 and family.

76 Friday No work again, throat still sore. Chips and wine (I drink tea) night is back on after 3 weeks. Friend was amazed to see the new extension, last time they were here, we still had the conservatory up. Most of the day spent in bed, I'm so tired all the time.

77 Saturday Collected child 1 from Gloucester on our way to Bristol to visit MIL for Mothers Day. We visited a local retail park for coffee and cake and some shopping. Home by 6pm, TV and bed.

On the blog this week:

What I'm reading in March 

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Post Comment Love 17th-19th March 2023

Welcome back to #pocolo with Stephanie from Lifeat139a and I.

I spent last weekend with friends in Monmouth, it was nice to catch up, when we lived abroad, Monmouth was our UK base. I miss visiting there, it's about a 90 minute drive, too far to just pop into.

This weekend we're collecting child 1 and visiting my MIL for the day, that is assuming this cold has gone that has had me off work for two days.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week and all we ask is that you leave a comment on either mine or Stephanie's post which you linked up through and at least one other post. We'd also love it if you could RT us on Twitter when we tag you to help us reach a wider audience.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the weekend.

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What I'm reading in March

I've set myself a challenge for 2023 to read a book per week. I've fallen behind in February and I'm struggling with Don Quixote. I've decided to mix it up with other books this month and I'm revisiting two of my childhood favourites.

So far this year I've read the following:

January

Lord of the Flies - William Golding

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

Off Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

Macbeth - Shakespeare 

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

A Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee Williams

Frankenstein - Mary Shelly

February

Three Men in a Boat - Jerome K Jerome 

Good Eggs - Rebecca Hardiman

Week 10 2023 Project 365 and One Daily Positive

Lots of coffee shop visits, dog walks and time with friends. The double yellow lines have been painted. We still having one parking space outside our house, but there's a battle in the mornings with parents and staff. At the moment, we're parking there over night to save a space for various builders vans, skips etc.

The snow this week looks beautiful, not really settling, but the extra water in the back garden has turned it into a quagmire and Bob isn't liking all the paw cleaning when he comes in.

64 Sunday Off to the coffee shop with Bob, we were out for two hours, home to read while Peter made dinner then I spent the afternoon and early evening in my craft room and Peter went to the pub to watch the football. Day ended with a hot bath and an early night. Head hurting.

65 Monday Managed to get to midday before I had to come home and sleep for the rest of the day.

66 Tuesday Off to the post office after work and stopped for a coffee and read. Peter met me after work with Bob and we walked home via a coffee stop. In the evening I argued with the over locker and lost.

67 Wednesday Woke to snow, it wasn't settling, but it looks so pretty. I can't see the Malvern Hills at the moment due to the snow, I'll try and grab a photo if I can. Popped round to the neighbours and finally won the battle with the over locker. We sorted some finances out and spent hours on the phone to banks, tax office etc.

Look at the state of our garden! The 2 sheds on the left will be coming down soon.

68 Thursday Awake at 5am, snowing quite heavily, took Bob out for an hours walk in the fresh snow. Left early for work to ensure I got in on time, arrived to discover school closed and message had been sent while I was on route. Moved the furniture in the dining room to the other side to allow access for new build, had hospital appointment mid afternoon, raining by then. Evening spent in my craft room shouting at the over locker.

69 Friday Home from work and straight out with Bob and we walked home via a coffee stop. Builders have finished, tidied up and left site, payment made. I finished my easter gifts ready for delivery tomorrow.

We've got to wait for the floor and plaster to dry before we can use the room and need to relay the patio.

70 Saturday Early morning visit to mums with her Mothers Day gift then onto Grandchild then friends, before arriving in Monmouth where I'm staying the night.

On the blog this week:

What I wore to the Theatre

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Post Comment Love 10th-12th March 2023

Welcome back to #pocolo with Stephanie from Lifeat139a and I.

I've managed to catch up with everyones blog posts now I've got a new laptop.

I've spent a bit of time this week sorting through my summer wardrobe getting ready for our trip to Dubai over Easter.

I struggle with winter clothes I always feel so bulky with layers on, but my job in a school means every lesson change I'm walking outside from one block to another and often leave my coat behind. I'm on the hunt for a warm and fully waterproof coat, preferably a long one. I'm quite fussy as I want to buy once and wear for a long time.

The building work on the new extension is almost complete. Plasterers are in today. When it's finished we just need to paint and lay flooring.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week and all we ask is that you leave a comment on either mine or Stephanie's post which you linked up through and at least one other post. We'd also love it if you could RT us on Twitter when we tag you to help us reach a wider audience.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the weekend.

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What I wore - to the Theatre

Is there a dress code for the theatre? 

There doesn't seem to be a dress code guide these days other than smart/casual, black tie, dress down day.

This is what I usually wear to work ( or similar)

Boots - Lakeland Leather

Trousers - M&S

Blouse - M&S

Jacket - Quiz

I own 4-5 blouses from M&S and Primark, 4 jumpers from TK Max, 2 pairs of cords and several jackets that are suitable for work in the winter.

The rest of my wardrobe is more suited for spring, summer and autumn with dresses and heels, but mainly 3/4 length trousers, sandals and t-shirts. 

I own several dresses worn for weddings and I would wear them for brunch on Fridays in Dubai, but they all feel too formal for events in the UK, including the theatre. 

So what did I wear to the theatre? I swopped my trousers for a pair of jeans and changed my boots after work and put on my 'going out' coat.

Boots - Doc Martin

Jeans - Tom Tailor

Blouse - M&S

Coat  - Ted Baker

Bag - Coach

Cape - Irish Woollen Shop

Hat - M&S

Gloves - Lakeland Leather

I added some jewellery mainly Pandora and Kate Spade to my outfit, refreshed my make up and I was ready for my night at the Theatre.

What do you think? I felt comfortable and I guess that is the main thing.

Week 9 One Daily Positive and Project 365

My pain levels from nerve damage in my neck were heightened this week and my wrists were not only extremely painful but I struggled to hold a pen, type, lift a tea cup. I had the start of a migraine towards the weekend, so far I've managed to hold it back with meds.

57 Sunday Up early and dog walked to the retail park, Peter joined me for coffee then we did a food shop. Afternoon spent in my craft room making and writing birthday cards, evening in front of the TV.

58 Monday Back in work, a calm day. Home to cook a roast dinner, popped next door to borrow a monkey and evening spent on the bed watching TV.

59 Tuesday Quiet day in work, home to do some more sewing, popped round to the neighbours, then off to the Theatre with work to see 'Home, I'm Darling'.

60 Wednesday Into work late to make up for last night. Strike day, but years 11-13 were in school. I tidied the book shelf, did one to one tutoring and attended an Ethics class to take notes for my student who was off today. In the evening I volunteered at the local youth club and home to watch TV and blog. Last day of the builders for the week as they wait for the concrete floor to set.

61 Thursday Dressed as Pippi Longstocking for World Book Day. Peter brought Bob to me after work and I walked to the retail park for coffee, Peter joined us after a food shop and Bob stole the bananas out the shopping bag on the way home.

62 Friday Home from work at 3pm, we walked the dog and picked up fish and chips on the way home. Watched Tv and in bed asleep by 9.30am.

63 Saturday Woke at 9am, popped into Worcester for a ramble round the shops. I tried and failed with the over locker and gave up on it. Afternoon spent on laptop and evening in front of the TV. I took some photos for a blog post.

On the blog this week:

What I wore - World Book Day

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Post Comment Love - 3rd-5th March 2023

Welcome back to #pocolo with Stephanie from Lifeat139a and I.

Sorry for the delay with commenting on all your posts over the previous 2 weeks. My laptop died, then we travelled to Northern Ireland to visit our Grandson, then drove to Brighton for my aunts funeral. 

All back to normal now (fingers crossed) We're having an extension built and they are working fast. 

It was World Book Day on Thursday and the 6th form at the school I work at joined in with dressing up. Do you or your children join in with World Book Day?

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week and all we ask is that you leave a comment on either mine or Stephanie's post which you linked up through and at least one other post. We'd also love it if you could RT us on Twitter when we tag you to help us reach a wider audience.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the weekend.

Want to find out more about Post Comment Love #PoCoLo? 

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What I wore for World Book Day

I work in a secondary school supporting a student in 6th form. The English department have encouraged us to join in and dress up as our favourite book character. 

Can you guess who mine is?

Denim skirt - Primark

Top - Splash

Shoes - Converse

Socks - Amazon

Monkey (borrowed from next doors 3 year old)

Wig - Amazon

Last time I was working in a school was infants in Dubai and I dressed as Mary Poppins.

Prior to that I've made numerous costumes for my kids when they were in primary school.

Do you join in with World Book Day or as a parent to you hate the hassle? cost?

Week 8 2023. Project 365 and One Daily Positive

The building work started on Tuesday, they're working really fast.

Child 4 is away with work for a couple of weeks. Grandson has been a bit under the weather with coughs and colds and sickness. Due to grandson being poorly from birth and have had a couple of surgeries he is more prone to stomach and bowel problems. 

My mum is from Brighton and is the youngest of 8. There are only 5 of them left and one spouse. There's only 2 aunts by marriage on my dad's side, but I've not seen them or my 3 cousins since his death in 2017. We attended my Uncles funeral back in November and caught up with 4 of my 14 cousins. 4 cousins are in America and 4 in Australia. I've 2 cousins I've never met, but do keep in touch with most of them on Facebook and quite a few of their grown up children. You could say this is where my travel bug came from as many of my cousins and their children live or have lived and worked abroad. This has also meant that over the past 10+ years with us living abroad ourselves we've not seen each other for a long time other than funerals.

It would be lovely to meet them all again soon and I fear we will with general ill health. I hope we do all meet up still when we are the 'next' generation.

50 Sunday A lazy morning and off to Hillsborough to walk the dogs. Molly found the biggest mud puddle she could to lie in. Home and a quick turnaround to meet the in laws for a Sunday lunch.

51 Monday I spent the day with DIL's mum and our grandson. He was busy all day. He took a tumble just before his mum took us home and bit a chunk out of the coffee table.

52 Tuesday Home alone today, grandson in nursery and DIL in work. I did some cleaning then caught the bus into town for coffee and a walk round bus. I picked up my new laptop and the in laws collected me and took me and grandson home.

53 Wednesday A day spent just chilling at home. We popped out to buy new wipers for the car. When we got home our grandson was still unwell with sickness and diarrhoea he was admitted to hospital to be monitored. We left for the ferry around 8pm. Once on board I had a shower and went straight to bed before we set sail. Bob spent the night in a kennel.

54 Thursday We docked in Liverpool around 6.30am and home by 9.30am to drop the dog off, put some washing on and repack. We drove down to get mum then onto Brighton, driving past nans old house and ups old stomping ground. We had dinner and were in bed early.

55 Friday After breakfast we headed off to Brighton crematorium for my Aunts funeral, it was lovely to see all the family again and catch up at the wake. The service was lovely and a fitting tribute. After the wake we spent time with my cousins daughter and in the evening we took a walk along Brighton Pier, played the 2p slots and went to my cousin, aunt and uncle in the evening for dinner.

56 Saturday After breakfast we headed to visit another aunt and cousin on our way home. We dropped mum at home around 4pm and we were home by 5.30pm. The house took forever to warm up.

On the blog this week:

Travels with our dog

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