And as the...

...year draws to its close.

Firstly, I wish everyone the happiest of 2009's...may it be a good one for you. Also, enjoy tonight...at whatever time it arrives! ;)

Sitting this afternoon in our sitting room, watching the cold descend over the garden once more, I could see chaffinch, great tit, blue tit...numerous sparrows all squabbling over the seed put at the top of an old pole, which in summer has a single yellow rose growing round it. At the base a beautiful jay pecked away, alert for any disturbance...which suddenly there must have been as they all disappeared in various directions. Left perched right at the top is one of the robins who haunt my garden. A dominant little character...afraid of very little...his very red waistcoat shining bright through the shimmering frost.

Back to the subject which has dominated my blog over the last days and weeks. We have, or our Board has...made their choice, and it's a continuation of the same. We have kept PP...he is now our permanent manager...I wonder if that new found assurance is going to gain us more than the three points it already has! I have severe doubts about it. Notts Forest seem to have made their choice as well, someone who our fans had suggested could do well for us, but...decisions are made, and we now have to support the players, and they have to show us they are worth supporting, and wearing the shirt! It also seems that one of our "on loan" players has returned. He is quoted as saying he wanted to make the loan permanent, but the manager of Ipswich has now said, we didn't see his best. Unfortunately, that's what happened with us. Ce la vie!

I didn't get around to saying, I made my youngest son's partner a necklace for Christmas, it was a last minute make...and very simple. I know she likes bronzes, coppers and turquoise, so that's what was made. A ring of turquoise gem beads wrapped with antiqued copper wire, and then threaded on two strands of bronze seed beads, and a copper heart clasp. I was pleased with the result...simple, but just right.

I also was featured in an Etsy Treasury...one of my focals, Distant Sun...sadly I missed it, but a big thank you to azuredandelion, it's an honour to feature.

Oh, and those tiles...we've decided to go with them. Cream brick style, and a yellow green paint, in two shades...makes a change from Macdonald blue, and cream...

Oh, my...

...reading some of the fans blogs, those righteous supporters who think they know all...it's depressing! ;)

We are bottom of the league, and yesterday made things worse. Our nearest (in points) rivals both won. They scrapped and fought and came away with points....we lost! We did score the first goal and did go in at half-time in the lead...and from my reading deservedly so, but we let it all fall to pieces in the second half. It was no more than I expected, which is not nice...and I don't like being that negative, but in honesty...it's true.

So this morning, after hearing on the radio of another manager's demise (his choice). As Paul Jewell left Derby County, we now have a decision to make, or rather our board does. Will they continue with PP, or make the break this week and place a new broom in control? I do agree with one or two blogs...we plan for the worst, and cheer for the best...and if the players respond, then we should escape...but, it will need everyone to be looking in the same direction, it will need some brutal personal honesty on all parts. Players...are they truly giving their all for the shirt? Manager...to make the decision regardless of anyone else, and no sentimentality. Board...to enlighten those of us who go week in, week out...and not just the select few...I find that grates more and more. Fans...to support the new manager and HIS team in the matches to come...come hell or high water!!

What concerns me about the days before the 1st...how many of our players will be thinking of leaving, will be feeling left out of games and even the squad, and will be looking to move on...they are men who have to make a living at their chosen profession, and have pride in themselves...and who could think a fresh start somewhere else would be better for them, and before any new manager has time to make that decision for himself, before they're sold or move on. And after reading some "fans" comments...I can understand why they would go! With most of the loans finishing over the next weeks, we have to keep our nucleus of players...however young and inexperienced they are!

And on that note...I have to go and look at some tiles...

And the gods...

...conspire.

Well, that's one excuse. Having got to south east London in nearly record time, even though the roads were busy, and the sales had started. Even the M&S sale started at 6:00 this morning!! A hot sausage and a cup of chocolate later, we along with a good sized crowd watched a lack lustre first half, which again saw us concede a goal, and I thought that inciting the crowd was bookable, but obviously not in this particular referees eyes. The scorer (an ex-Charlton loanee)...waving his fist and smiling at the home stands, did nothing to endear him to the home fans.

I'm not sure what was said at half-time, and made a joke with the guy who sits in front of me that they'd been threatened with Paul Ince, but it worked and in the second half they had different heads on, and certainly different feet! But, again we managed only to draw, and the sigh that went up when four added minutes was shown again...you could feel what that meant, and we were nearly punished...luckily this time the linesman flagged for a foul as the ball hit the back of the net for a fifth time, and the third away goal was disallowed. Some justice, as we'd had three penalty appeals for handball ruled out...and they were handballs ref! Our manager was sent off...or in their cases, sent to the stands...two rows behind the dugouts...now what happens at Sheffield United with him?

We came away a happier set of supporters at the showing, but with Doncaster beating Notts Forest later yesterday....we have sunk to the bottom again! Notts Forest now join us in the search for a new manager...they sacked theirs after his post match interview. I also think it was PP's last managerial foray at home for us...he stayed on the pitch after the final whistle, and told ALL the players to go to the three sides of home supporters and thank us...that to me is the act of a man that knows his tenure is finished.

On other things...we're still all coughing well, and the family is coming today...but they're coughing too, so not much harm done.

Enjoy your weekends, and if you're saling...enjoy the crowds. I'm told it's a busy one!!

It's still...

...dark, and I can hear the coughs echoing from upstairs, and we all have been poorly over the holiday, so far. We have had a good time even so...good company, nice food...and a semi-relaxing time.

Today it's football time, with my husband and I off to my teams home game against QPR, whose new(ish) owners have a bit of cash in their pockets...a relatively (now) new manager (and how we would like one of those!), are gradually accumulating points. Our decline in some eyes is terminal, at least as far as the Championship is concerned, and we will be in League One come next August. We still have time to recover that situation, but we need to fight, and a manager who can make the players (in whatever managerial style he wants) do that.

About this time two years ago, I had a disagreement with a young lady on a forum, or rather she did with me. I had posted something about our situation and the departure of Dowie and Reed, to which she disagreed. Her post all in capitals, telling me I should get back to where I came from, and the fact I had been supporting Charlton for forty odd years was irrelevant...and that she travelled three hours to see her team, that we only deserved to be in the Premiership, looks a bit flat now...I did write a long response pointing out I don't live around the corner to the ground, and travel two hours (usually) to get there, and we had no given right to Premiership status, that in the forty odd years I had seen it and been there before, and then I deleted it...I can't be doing with arguing, life's too short! I do wonder if she still goes to matches though, and whether she'll be there this lunchtime, and will she go next season, if the worst happens.

We have no right to be in any league, we have to play for that right, and at present...we aren't!

PS...Merry Christmas! ;)

Ancestry...

...and all that!

I've been tracing mine and my husband's family trees over the last few months, and I've established true lines going back to 1750ish...with hints going back a further three hundred years, but that all needs to be verified.

Today I made a discovery which was quite a coincidence. We've been hoping to move to Norfolk, and though we've nearly decided to stay put for the time, we did find a house in Alby, near Aylsham (sold now), and looked at ones in Beetley...and near Fakenham. In the family tree, I knew my great-grandfather came from Norwich, Norfolk and was a carpenter...today, I found his father and sisters...and between them they were born in Beetley, Stibbard, near Fakenham, and Alby. That seems spooky to me! Part of my husband's mother's family we've discovered came from Norwich too, of which she had no knowledge!

Seems the draw of "home" was calling for both of us!

Okay...

....I've got to start with the love of my life...my football team! ;)

We were being televised last night (I was there live), and we drew...okay...we drew, but in such a way...the referee found four additional minutes, and Derby scored four minutes and five seconds into that, but we played like a new team, not the best team in the league, but vastly putting our previous performances to shame...and if we continue that way, we'll get ourselves out of the trouble we put ourselves in. We've extended Martyn Waghorn's loan period by a month, he's on emergency loan at present, and Sunderland can call him back with immediate effect, but hopefully we can sign him to a normal loan in January, then we can keep him until the end of the season....he's a very talented eighteen year old, with a huge potential.

I get very disappointed reading some of those who would think they have more knowledge than me...blimey, are they depressing! I want to bang my head against a wall with some of their comments. Some are brilliant though...

Christmas has finally come to our house...one chimney was swept today, and a ton of birds nest was removed...we still have one blocked by Jackdaws nesting, but we've got to remove a stove before we can have that swept. After that, and clearing the dust...the trees were finished...just one more to go, and other little bits are beginning to make the festive feel.

Okay Christmas...now you can arrive...I'm prepared!! ;)

It's cold...

...it's wet and it's 4am. Woken by my shoulder pain, the clock said 2:59am, so I came downstairs, found the painkillers and am typing with my right hand.

I've read my football teams website, and our interim manager is staying through the "Festive Season". I'm not sure he feels very festive, if he knows that'll be it! But, it gives him some time to try to raise the team by the boot-straps....for they certainly need something inspirational. Maybe a few supporters in the dressing room would help....and I've just realised the cricket has started again...(please wait whilst I tune in!) There...cricket peace has come to the world.

I read through some of the blogs I follow, and some I dip into...it's always fun and interesting to read what others are up to, where crafters are showing, and how this world of artisans knows no borders. I'd love to get to a fair in Brooklyn tomorrow, and find a flea market in Los Angeles...view a painting exhibition at a car show room in the Netherlands. I might get to that craft sale I spoke about a couple of weeks ago. It's the last weekend of the craft, though the Christmas shop is open for the rest of the period.

We brought home our tree yesterday. We always have a real one, and now it's waiting to be decorated in the sitting room, and as I can't touch it, it'll have to wait until tomorrow...unless my husband's home early today. I also want to take down a unit in there, move the sofa over, and a cabinet my paternal grandfather made. I'm not sure if it's because things have been "on hold", while we were trying to sell, but I've become restless about homemaking, and now it's been decided life must go on...so the furniture moves, at least! And when the rain stops, and the sweep has been (we've had a rook family living in one chimney), I'll collect some ivy and holly from the garden, and make my other decorations...I use it to decorate the stairs, tables and front door.

And now I need a cuppa...

Sitting looking...

...out my window, at a thick frost spreading out across the fields and hedgerows (I was going to insert a photo here, but my camera has just run out of power), listening to the cricket from India. It's a beautiful morning.

Yesterday I went to my youngest grandson's Christmas play; he was a reindeer. It was about the Faerie Clock Mother helping Mum get ready for Christmas, and they were brilliant. The children are five, six, with a few sevens...infant school age. Those that had narrative, remembered every word, all the dancers knew their steps, and everyone had fun. I miss getting involved with the school things, being a class room assistant, and my sons school librarian, it was always busy.

Today our eldest grandson is off to see Peter Pan in Milton Keynes and the youngest goes Monday. Oh, to have that magic of Christmas again...the innocence of the time. I can remember when I was about five or six, hearing jingled bells outside our window, and my parents convinced me that was Father Christmas' sleigh, and running upstairs to find my pillow full of presents. It was my uncle who lived next door really...but, at that age...it was definitely the sleigh bells. I do love my Christmasses, but they're different now.

Back to my team. It is reported the interim manager has been told he won't get the job permanently, not after the performances of the team, especially the last one on Tuesday, so now all fans are waiting to see who will...and the chatter, rumours and wants go on. It's also reported that one of our ex-managers has told his last club he wants £3m as a pay off. Nice credit crunch if you can get it!

I promised...

...a few photos of jewellery made a week ago...earrings first...

And some pretty, girlie silver sets...

I've found these to be popular at present, just a light touch of colour and something a little feminine.

The photography is my husbands...he's in training!

A good job...

...done!

Friday we cleared the loft out of a collection of rubbish. Of course, all the baby bits were saved, and the things the boys made at school when they were young, but the broken and unused were thrown...so one good thing done! We can now see around the loft space, and get into there standing up. All I need is the house move...my decorating buds are beginning to itch.

Another good thing, my team didn't lose yesterday, we had a draw, but we didn't lose, and we played as a team, not as eleven elements that hadn't met or seen a football. Their heads didn't drop either, and you could see Weaver felt more confident in his back four, as did they him. Over the last couple of weeks of our previous managers tenure, I think that was what was wrong with Weaver, neither trusted the other, so felt they had to compensate, and it made for more errors than we could take. We played our new loanees, and personally I felt they did well. The Southampton goalie played out of his skin in the first half, and saved his team from what could have been an embarrassing half-time scoreline, and when missed or saved you could see the angry disappointment in their faces, rather than the misery and head dropping loss of hope of the previous weeks. One thing about all the loans this week, I hope Luke Varney who has gone to Derby, finds himself happier there; not everyone likes the south east, or feels comfortable away from friends and family. Just as long as he doesn't find himself against us! That game is televised on Monday, 15 December...but, I'll be there, and recording it for a second...third...or so viewing.

During the week I made some party ear-rings, with more silver and crystals than my normal little drops. Using David Christensen canes, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver, I am pleased with the results, and will photo and show. They are for a fair I'm doing on Friday, and I've already got orders from them.

I'm not sure what today brings, but maybe a visit to Blackthorpe Barns at Rougham...or maybe just some more throwing out.

Yesterday....

...having a stop for an afternoon cup. I sat looking out through the french doors into our garden, watching the last of the leaves fall, and the birds tipping them up looking for bugs, and scuffling around under the hanging seed box I have out for them. I have a couple of pheasants and a moorhen who are there most of the day. Suddenly something made them take flight, and slowly wandering across my vision was a monkjack deer. He had all the time in the world, but, not enough for me to grab my camera. They're nervous enough and even though I was indoors, my movement would have disturbed him, so I preferred to sit and watch, as he wandered through and fed.

I knew we'd had one around as we found footprints last week, whilst clearing some leaves. I've also seen the squirrels back...the rabbits still abound...and various varieties of birds. Though I've never had the kingfisher back...that was very special and a one off!

And at last...

...the necklace I've been rattling on about. It's a simple wrap, but quite effective with the finger of kyanite.



Also my ear-ring hooks have arrived. So I know what I'm up to today.

I want to mention someone on Etsy, whose work is so exquisite, and fun. She makes mice...yes, mice. They're beautiful little works of art, but such fun, all at the same time. Her Etsy shop is The House of Mouse. I hope you find it as much fun, as I do.

I remembered...

...to order the hooks, and hopefully they should be with me today...

Last night I had a whale of a time. I went out with my daughter-in-law and youngest son's partner (doesn't that sound impersonal). Anyway, a girls night out. We went into town (London) and saw Hairspray...oh, if you have the chance and are close enough...GO!!! It's brilliant, and Micheal Ball as the mother...the tears rolled down our cheeks, he and the guy playing his/her husband got the giggles...and we all had foot stomping, clapping and cheering fun. It's what's needed in this mind numbing newsfest we're going through at present.

And my team lost again, though reading the blogs...we played a bit better. Maybe it was a case of they got their new manager a game before we did. We'll see on Saturday, though unless we score about eight goals we can't improve our position, but if we lose, and the teams below us win, we can slip further.

I'm going to take a photo of the necklace today, and I'll show it here later....so keep your eyes peeled. I've also got to get my act together with making...shopping(groceries) and then work. The husband doesn't want to starve for my art! ;)

There's got to be....

...some joy somewhere!?

My team lost again this afternoon. A 2 - 5 drubbing at home...I suppose the good side is it wasn't raining, and the Millwall supporter I'd spoken to earlier couldn't even remember who they were playing!

The consequence of the loss...our manager left the club by "mutual consent". That's the official term...he'd said at his press conference after the game, he wasn't resigning, but did fear for his job. Seems he had reason to. Now where does that leave us in getting a new person in position. There are a couple of names being banded about on the boards already, but we haven't got deep pockets, and it'll be a measure of who will come for nothing, and have nothing to spend...

I think it's going to be a long season...please, someone come and help. I promise to keep doing my bit...turning up, and shouting.

Back on the house front, yes, they did like the house, but we're too remote for them. I guess being only forty miles from London, is a bit remote!

So, jewellery...I made a necklace with some of the kyanite...it works beautifully...and will have matching ear-rings soon. I just have to remember to order some more hooks!

Another beautiful....

...day. The rain is sweeping down across the fields, but at least I haven't got to go out...well, not until later.

I didn't say, but we had more viewers on Sunday. A couple moving out from the East End, wanting to bring their daughters up in the fresh air, and who can blame them. So again, waiting to see...somehow I don't think this couple will be thinking of faerie dust though, it'll be a yes or no....straight answers.

I also got to the Newmarket bead fair Sunday morning. Got the beads I needed and spent far too much on some natural "fingers" of kyanite, crystals and keishi pearls. I did see some old acquaintances...four of them have got together to sell at fairs. I wish them the best...it's hard work, enjoyable, but hard.

One thing I've never tried is beadwork. There was a lady selling Toho kits, and they seemed the easiest way to try it. I'm all for trying something, and then I can say from experience whether it's for me or not. I bought a bracelet and a necklace kit. I'm part way through the bracelet, and the directions are as easy as she said to follow, but, don't go by their timelines, not unless you've done this before...the nylon has a mind of its own, even if steamed, and so thin it's difficult to see, let alone use, but the article is pretty...and a useful project. I have so much admiration for those who design and make the intricate beadwork items...I take my hat off to you!

All my orders passed muster. Always good to hear. Now all I've got to do from that order are the ear-rings to match a necklace already bought, and the reason I had to go to Newmarket. I've got the closest to the Christensen canes I can see, if they're not the same...and will be in the post this afternoon, for inspection.

Oh! and the puds passed the smell test too...I think I'm getting the hang of this being at home lark, bread was made yesterday (the old-fashioned way)!

I've been included...

...in an Etsy treasury, chosen by Frillz. I am thrilled...it made my smile spread from here to there. :)

Sunrise Lozenge Lamp-works in this treasury Heat Lamp. A very clever title.

My call...

...came on Monday. It seems my viewer decided they liked our house, couldn't say anything against it, location, house was all okay, but they'd decided it didn't have "faerie dust".

So what do you do? Do you do as is supposedly right, and take some of the personal accoutrements out, so they can "see" the house, or leave those touches in? Of course, I'm making the leap that's what they meant, that for them it didn't have that little extra...but, they're buying a house...not my faerie dust, they need to discover their own, their magic...their touch of genius, that makes a house their home. I hope somewhere they find their dust for their daughters...

Tuesday, my car had to go to the garage for an "adjustment", something minor could fail and could I bring it in. Duly it was delivered and I took the time to walk into the nearest town, Bishop's Stortford, something I don't do, as it's ten miles from my home. I looked at all the Christmas decorations filling shelves of the beautiful home shops the town has, and imagined where they'd go, but at present I feel as though I'm in limbo, not quite here or there...oh, I know I'll be here for Christmas now, but I want to be making another house my home...Don't get me wrong, I do love my present home...but, it's run its course, and having decided to move, I've been letting go emotionally to it, and am now set ready to go. When I left work, they made me a gift of some book tokens, and on visiting the local chain store, I found a beautifully illustrated and written childrens book, but I'd forgotten my tokens...I'll have to go back...I'd also forgotten to put my little notebook in my bag, so now I have no idea who the books author and illustrator is...but, I know exactly where on the shelf the copies were... And I really must walk around my village more...I used to...but, it's changed.

Wednesday...yesterday, it was Mum's birthday, and I went to visit. She lives on the edge of London, and Kent. A borough which is neither one thing or the other, and during the summer I'd told her of a Lavender Farm, and their open day, which my sister took her too, as I was in Northumberland. As I'd never been, we decided to go...I was a little disappointed, but did buy some Lavender shortbread...my, but they're strong! We found a local hostelry for lunch...and if you're ever in Ightham, then I can recommend the food and service in the George and Dragon. Both are excellent. While out, I had a call from our agents, they'd got someone who'd been let down with their purchase at the last moment, and were exchanging on their sale next week. They were moving from Sussex, to be closer to their daughter who had moved into town...Saffron Walden. They had seen our details and wanted very much to view...was I home that afternoon or Thursday morning. Being seventy odd miles from home, I said this morning would be best. Ten minutes later I had another call...the prospective viewer had looked on a map and we're not in the right place, being eight miles from "town". Now please work that out before I get all excited....my emotions can't take this up and down... I keep telling myself it's only a house move, and not a death or worse...but, as I've said...it's limbo... Oh! And I've picked the paint out to renew the kitchen...you do have to keep living.

Today...this morning...I'm mixing the Christmas puds...best go!!

Enjoy your days...

I know...

...I'm a fiddler. I tweak and change until I'm happy, but it usually takes two or three tries until I like what I see. I prefer this layout, but I'm not sure of the colour. I'm sorry if this makes for confusing viewing.

A busy week last week. Our viewer arrived and went, and made an appointment for his partner to visit Saturday, which she duly did. He didn't, as a prior engagement took precedence...(his new boss took him to the Emirates to see Arsenal beat his team). Now another waiting game...

I did get my orders almost finished, the only thing outstanding is a pair of ear-rings to match a necklace I'd made. I have to wait to visit Newmarket Bead Fair to find matching beads, but the buyer has been warned it might not be easy. The rest are ready to be sent, and will be winging their way soon enough.

I received the last of my birthday present today. I had the money to spend...and bought a beautiful ring from Lunatic Art in France. I've placed a photo below.



I love her organic look and feel. I'm sure I'll be back there, so many temptations!

Anyway, I've got jobs stacking up this afternoon, as another busy week looms large. So I better press on...

oh, and PS...my team drew this Saturday! yay!!

Another falls....

...first.

It seems one of our fellow sufferers has moved first, and Aidy has left.

"It is with some sadness that we have taken the decision that the time is right for a new manager to take Watford Football Club forward," Chairman Graham Simpson confirmed on the club's official website.

"Both parties feel that his tenure at the club is simply at an end." from "Sky Sports News"

A return to normality...

...that is what I think this week is about!

A busy few days, and then a week away...this week is supposed to be normal, but does that ever happen? Of course not!

I have ordered everything I need for orders, so that was my first job of today...and took all morning, I mean, you have to research, don't you!

I'm also going to list a few of my jewellery items on Etsy, see what happens. So far I've just put my beads there.

Then catching up with the blogs from my teams followers, and yes, I went and saw them lose again on Saturday...most are calling for a head to roll, and who can blame anyone for that. It's the lack of passion that hurts the most, or it does me...they can change their team, if someone will have them, but I can't. There is no other team running through my veins.

I do have a viewer on Wednesday...another "wait to see" moment, so we will. I just have to get things ready...which I should be doing now, as my husband decided it would be a good time to sort his wardrobe out...all over the spare bedroom. Don't you just love them!

I also want to know how leaving work to start out on your own equates to being a "lady of leisure"!? Find the time would be nice!! If anyone knows the answer to that...leave it on a card.

Didn't you just know...

...that phase one of the excitement would vanish in a cloud of economic excuses. Ah well, I'll still turn up for my team on Saturday. Phase 2 is still pending...but, I think that might disappear the same way...silence is never golden!

Apart from that I received two stunning brooches from a talented lady in Kent. She sells on Etsy, and is Sew Lovely. Do take a look.

That silence just got broken...and laughable is not the word...we now await developments.

I'm going into hibernation...my enthusiasm vanished...

That tomorrow came...

...and went very fast. Luckily it's not life or death, and so far not the move or not. It was just the football match, and predictably we didn't win...I'm not going to ruminate further, there are better than me at doing that. Back to the brighter side of things....

I listed some new beads yesterday...nothing extravagant, somehow I don't trust that around here at present, but with getting ready for a jewellery sale, the beads have taken a bit of a back burner, so it was nice to get some out there again. I'm pleased with what there is though. I should post some photos....and also some of my jewellery. I'll sort that soon.

I must admit with the jewellery I've been a hoarder of beads, and now, gradually that hoard is disappearing, so soon enough I'll be out looking for complementary beads, especially as I can use my own lamp-works now. I do like a bit of sparkle too, and silver usually, though having just started some copper items, they're becoming popular.

Awhile ago I bought some natural crystal pillows, absolutely clear, and cut to perfection. I used a few in a couple of mixed bracelets, but have just made a necklace with matching ear-rings with the rest, no colour just these crystals and a few Swarovski crystal bicones...I think at present that's my favourite...there's just so much sparkle, and it's perfect for anytime including Christmas. I'm hoping I can get some more, and make myself something....it'll be my treat to me, and we all need those on occasions.

and last but not least...spacers, those little gems that complete and complement.

If anyone wants a particular colour, we can talk...I have a wide range of colours, including specials...please see what's in my shop, and sold items. Also with the jewellery...I love experimenting with others ideas...so contact me and we can arrange.

Etsy....

I actually got to pick a Treasury on Etsy....Old London Town...

Here....

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=16088

I like it!

Sitting on hands...

that's what it feels as though I'm doing, or having to do.

It all started quite excitedly just over a week ago, and for those who don't know...we're trying to sell our house, yes...in this market...and no, not because we have to. So...a call from the agents and our first viewers want to return, this is a couple of months after their first and second visits...the call was on that Thursday. On the Friday, after spik and spanning for the afternoon, I sat down with a cuppa to watch some news, trying to keep abreast of the financial cyclone we're all enduring, and I decided I'd watch some sport news instead...there's only so much monetary implosions you can take in a week. There, before my eyes the news reader was talking about my team, and...yes...the prospect of money being available, via new owners. I couldn't quite work out which I was more excited about...our viewers, or Charlton being wealthy!! Both were a heady mix.

Saturday came, as did our viewers...and deciding there were things they wanted to check with our local planning department, they left. As for Charlton...it was an international weekend, so no match...*phew*, my pulse couldn't have taken that! Monday came, and all was quiet until lunchtime, when our agent phoned, to confirm that our viewers were indeed checking things out...still all quiet from Charlton though, and it remained quiet all week...be patient...don't think about it! Sit on your hands...make yourself busy...though how you do that at the same time, I'm not sure!! A call Friday from the agents, and they're still checking...though I know the office told them they could see no reason why they couldn't do what they wanted.

So here I am in the next week...it's still quiet...and I'm waiting...with trepidation for the phone to ring, or the radio to tell me that Charlton are still home owned, another game poorer...and further down the league...tomorrow, there must be a tomorrow!! Ah yes....we play Bristol City....

A little reason...

as to why the photo of Bamburgh Beach is there. We went with our eldest son and family this summer, and it was the first time we'd stopped in Northumberland, using it as a gateway to Scotland previously.

It was the week before the rain and floods, and we were happy to see that sunshine adorned the hilly countryside. The photo looks out from the dunes, in which we misplaced our way, across the beach, and the view of the beach is in August...out across the sea to Lindisfarne. We didn't quite make that, but we will. We had too much to see inside a week...and any reason to return is a good one, and although we didn't stop, the town of Rothbury...is somewhere else that will be visited. It's so pretty, and anyone who lives there...you're a lucky person. But then...there are places all over the world where we're lucky to live, for varying reasons.

We did visit Newcastle and discovered a wonderful museum about the city and area, the Tyne and Wear Discovery Museum, and when the city's rid itself of its roadworks, confusing road signs, points a visitor in the right direction, then it looks like a nice place to visit further...but, until that time...take a train!

Another reason for the photo...I love large beaches, sea...and very few occupants!

Relax and let time spread before you...

One foot before the other...

This looks like the result of a promise...I promised I was going to move my blog to a more comfortable environment, and this is the result. I'm sure as I gather knowledge of what moves, and how this goes together, things will change, and grow. I think a blog is a very organic thing.

I'm sure over time there will be many views on....whatevers. Be they work, art...in its many varied forms, my team...with its complexity of emotions...and the meaning of life, mine anyway....you need to check your own for yourselves.

I have placed some blogs I read regularly at the side, along with the start of links to those places I love...and whose work I could sit and stare at for hours...I'm sure this will change and grow over time.

Please don't vanish if I get a little...self indulgent at times. Trying to move at this present time in the financial....flip, is not the most constructive thing in the world. You just have to keep thinking of the positives...those things that are close to you.

So, welcome to this world of mine...enter its doors...and partake of a world of opposites.