We live in a big old rambling victorian semi, that is in urgent need of a face lift.LOL. Well with pennies being in short supply due to me not doing much on the contibution to finance front it has to wait, and wait and wait. Well in and effort to keep this aged old domecile usable we hit the DIY store last week for essential bits for the bathroom. New shower head, and waterproofing sealant.

While there I saw a Kitchen, it was just the thing to suit our little cooking corner, but at £6000 to buy and install, well a girl can dream cant she. So back to the bathroom aisle,showerhead and bits bought we leave the store.

Yesterday hubby is up at the crack of dawn with the girls, and shortly after I hear drilling and thumping, I groaned in anticipation of a new and disasterous project taking place in the Kitchen. What could it be this time, a go cart to mow down unsuspecting pedestrians, home made scooters for the dolls, that they forgot to sand down, splinter heaven. Nah I could stand it no longer, up I get to go check and ensure over enthusiasm was not running out of control.

I stumble in to the said room and Wow, Oh my word, well goodness me, speachless. Taking shape was a new Kitchen. Not the full monty, just the doors, the very ones I was drooling over, in the shop. Hubby went back when he was out on his cycle, and enquired as to price of doors. Apparently the Kitchen bits were on offer at half price, and he had a voucher for a further 20%, so for a cool £130 he got the doors. Went back to pick them up on Friday on his way home from work.  To top it all he went back this morning and purchased the sink unit aswell. It looks fantastic, and I cant believe the difference in the room.

Now I know that we dont have that money to spare, all finance is accounted for, so where did he get the pennies. Well it turns out that he used his Music Money. Every year his one indulgence is to take off to a "Hands on Music" weekend where musicians of traditional persuassion, share techniques, hone their skills and yes get merrily inhebriated. With Dad going through this slow painfull demise, my hubby decided not to book his place this year, incase he is needed. So as a little something to cheer me up he bought the doors with his savings for the weekend.

I really am gobsmacked and kind of speechless, but bless I do love him to bits. Daft I know but I keep running into the Kitchen and going Oooooh aaaahhh and hubby is getting a lot of hugs, and I mean a lot.hehe.

Luv Winnie.xxxx

Well the Summer has been in her full glory this week, and though it will go hide in favour of rain and cloud again tomorrow, we have really enjoyed the warmth in the old bones. Ruth had her first fall out of a tree last night, thankfully nothing more than a bruised hip and her pride. Will it discourage her from sitting in trees? No not one bit, half an hour later she is back up in the old oak singing imaginary songs to the birds. People having an evening walk on the common were quite amused at the site of her.

Caty on the other hand is now convinced that female humans should stay firmly on terra firma and that tree climbing is not a sensible occupation for little girls, so she proceeded to lecture her big Sister on the danger. When Daddy asked if it was o.k for him to climb trees, she said, "it alright cause you a boy",  Hmm dont think she has any idea of emancipation of the sexes.LOL.

Ruth is really coming on well at school since they implemented the new SEN programme for her, she now has extra one to one with all subjects and not just literacy, this has really boosted her confidence and she is interacting more and more in class situations. The school has implemented an extra dimention by involving all the children in understanding why there is extra time for some children, and why that is necessary. The SEN children have been encouraged to talk about their difficulties and how life at school is a little harder to cope with at times. This has helped all the children to understand each other more and acts of help and kindness have been more forth coming with each other. So far Ruth has talked to three year groups about her Autistic issues, young Ben about his Downs Syndrome and Lizbeth about her Cerebral Palsy, long may this openess continue.

My Dad is still with us and looks to be fighting the inevitable, he is not ready to go, but is very tired and frail. Trying to fight two cancers is a lot, but he is not giving in just yet. The paliative care team are doing a super job in trying to keep him pain free, which is a blessing and as much as we can hope for at this moment in time. He is so unaware of his illness that he just thinks it is all rather boring, to have this irritating pain. The viral dimencia is spairing him any anguish, thankfully.

Well I suppose I have to go get domestic, or the clothes will be upping stiches and starting a revolution, the dust will be shouting about clean working enviroments, and the freezer will be reporting me for starving it. LOL.

Take care of you all. Luv Winnie.xxxx

I am popping in during a quiet moment to say thankyou to all those who have mailed and sent compliments. I am not avoiding minti, promise. I am at my Sisters as things are taking a downward turn with My Dad. Please pray that the end is near. Though he has consistently come back from the edge, what a man. Poor Dad he does'nt even know now he is ill. In some cases dimencia can be a blessing.

Luv,Winnie.xxxx