A completely...

...good week!

Monday was our wedding anniversary...thirty five years young and still happy.  Like most we have had highs and lows, but the lows haven't been depths, and are usually because of something daft and not meaningful.  We took ourselves off to Dereham, (not the highlight capital of Norfolk), but we just wanted to do something normal, as we're usually at opposite ends of Anglia for the week, so try to cram all into weekends.  It's a pleasant town and has the joy of "Steptoes"...second-hand furniture store which can hide gems...we turned up two, which came home with us, so our kitchen is now complete...after two years.

Whilst in France I found a market stall selling linen, how can you not buy some...so having washed and pressed it, I started making the cushions for Drove Orchard Fair...7th May is the day.  I will be taking some photos...so please be patient.  There will be other items too.

Then to top the week Charlton (already promoted) were crowned champions, with the possibility of taking another record...highest League One points tally.  So, with a manager who is in his first managerial job...and a team of nearly all new players, who didn't need time to gel or learn how to play together...(beautiful excuses), they did it and showed those who doubted exactly what they were made of!  I hope all doubters are eating humble pie...  All you need is belief...

And....

...we did it!!

Well, that's the royal we and not the actual 'I kicked the ball' we.  Though I feel as though I've kicked every ball of the season so far...but, joy overflows.  Now to relax and go up as champions....pretty please!

And...I'm also back from visiting Provence.  Two weeks in the sunshine can't be bad, even if it was for working too.

All new...

...and shiny.  I have been developing a website for the WI branch I belong to.  Just enough to keep dates and information on, and so simple...just a drag, drop and fill format.  We're up and running...

Houghton and The Rudhams WI

that's us....

My goodness...

...life can be full of peaks and troughs, ups, downs and roundabouts.  Complicated and then a breeze, but it's a way of knowing you're still here.  Where I vanished to is another story...and nothing harmful to me, but it's one I'm not exposing.

So...bejeebers I'm a happy person on the football front...my team are top of their league with a gap of ten points between us and second place, both are automatic promotion positions.  We are in a strong position (the gap to third is twelve points) and we could extend this further this evening if we win..   I'm guessing we kind of sucked our collective breath in over a few matches, managing more draws, but this has been rectified in the last two and now for a push to the end...after tonights we have another thirteen, a total of forty two points, so a lot still to play for.  I haven't been to a match this season, (lucky husband has), so maybe that's why they're doing so well, I seem to jinx them.  But, I listen...cheer and jump around the room...who could ask for more!  I was happy when the board decided on employing Chris Powell as manager, and I've never had a doubt.  The changes he wrought through the summer were considerable, but none have failed...one or two need a little more help than others, but none have failed as disasterously as previously.  I'm one happy red supporter....surrounded by content yellow supporters who are also a happy bunch, so it's a happy place here in Norfolk.

What else?  The room is almost finished, just a few bits to do, some waxing and top coating, then all finished and on to the next project.

Workwise...it's more fabric than glass based at present.  I've a table at a craft fair at Drove Orchard, Thornham, the May Day bank holiday Monday, but no jewellery...with that the sewing machine has been going ten to a dozen and I've been getting my stock straight.  I'll also have some individually designed handbags, cards and prints for sale, my own handmade scarves, seat belt comfies...bags, cushions, etc...yup, I can use cloth and a machine.  I found some great Donegal tweed, very simple...very cheap (price) and the fabric I've chosen to go with it is subtley bright to give an added twist, also I picked up some great vintage pieces...free!  Free is a good word!!

On top of that...France is on the horizon.  A friend asked if I'd like to go with her to her house, and who am I to say nope!!  It's where husband and I went last year and a more beautiful part of the continent you couldn't wish for.  Mountains, views and peace...who could ask for more.  Okay...markets, cafes and people watching, but that's thrown in too. 

There...I've decided a smile is worth more than a frown, to be content within what you can achieve and if things are done to you, then rise above them...life is yours to enjoy, not for others to besmirch.

The last few days...

...I've been listening to the tractors trundle up and along the lanes here...doing the tidying and clearing at this time of year.  Several large trees have been cut down and are now waiting to be next years firewood, or to have a more exotic end.  The ditch has been dredged (at last), and hedges trimmed.  Of course, this leaves the rest of us with mud over the road, tip toeing through the debris which never seems to be cleared.  It's been an energetic time for the quiet of January.

In the home we're getting closer to putting paint on walls.  Two years ago..some might remember, we moved a kitchen, leaving us with an old kitchen space.  Since then we haven't really dealt with it, but now we have pulled down a wall, filled an old doorway, laid a wooden floor, put panelling on one wall and built two cupboards for coats and such...tomorrow we put panelling on the other wall, which only leaves me to fill holes, paper and then paint...and make blinds...

Of course, then we move onto the next room...

2012...

...how can that be?  It was only days ago I was playing with the dolls house my Dad made for me...(I still have it), and only hours ago I was married and then had two wonderful sons...(I still have all those too), and then minutes ago weren't we worrying about how the millenium was going to crash into our lives...and now we look forward to this year with momentous happenings, a wedding...an olympics...and a jubilee.  The wedding is a family affair, the Olympic flame is going through a near village, and the Queen lives down the road.  Suddenly here is the centre of the universe and it's now...and 2012....

So happy new year...I wish you love and happiness...

...and now...

...officially vacated. 

I'm out on my own again and looking forward to being Wayward Rose again.  :)

The website will be revamped over the next month with a wider range of items, as will my Wayward Rose Etsy shop, which I've had closed for quite sometime.  Though beads are still available through Eithne Glass, just in case you wondered! 

I've some requests to teach some what and how computers work...from pushing the on button, to what Etsy is...and bead orders...plus other bits and pieces, so life isn't boring.

And whilst I've been away my team has quietly been getting on with their life and revamp too...and I'm loathe to go to see them...they lose when I do, but I listen to all the games (this afternoon excepting), and watch when on telly...so, "Valley Floyd Road the mists rolling...."

Gee...it's good to be back...

Life's been...

...hectic just recently and I know I've neglected everyone.

Quite awhile ago it was suggested I have some input into a shop at Creake Abbey...and this has been going on quietly for a few months.  It was done quietly for several reasons, firstly I had to see if it worked for me, also some conversations with the overall owner...their plans, etc.  Well, I'm now officially there.  Our signs have to be repainted, but we're now Love and the Rose and are stocking both our items, plus gorgeous prints and cards from Amanda Colville of Mangle Prints

and Ella Goodwin of Ella Goodwin Illustration

From Vicki Johnson of Stew Studios in Norwich Red Red Blue we have beautiful lights, scarves and tea towels.

and these lovely little shades from Michelle Bayford.

Other items are there for your perusal...and here's a taste of the whole...

So now you know where I vanished to...

Phew!

...I have my oxy-con back to working.  A week ago my oxygen machine, which gives me the oxygen to mix with gas to light my torch...to make the beads, broke!  Well, it stopped giving me air.  I had electric, but no pressure...so after a little panic, I contacted Martin...my hero, and told him my problem.  By return he suggested the problem and did I need the hose?  Yes...thank you...this arrived so quickly, it was almost here before I could draw breath.  This morning we followed Martin's instructions and replaced the hose...and lo, it works...beautifully!!

So be prepared...there will be new beads forming...

Martin...is Martin Tuffnell of Tuffnell Glass in Yorkshire.

It all...

...starts here.

With thirteen new faces showing up over the last few weeks, it's certainly been a busy pen at my club.  Some old faces have gone and good luck to them with their new teams.  The latest I've seen notes of is Llera who's reportedly training with Blackpool in Portugal.  Of course we'll see some back at the Valley during the season, as they play for opposition.

So...the usual opening game against Welling was yesterday, and reading reports overall it was satisfactory...sticky to start with some good Welling chances, but we survived those and in the second half(with a different eleven) we scored three.  Nice to see new boys get on the score sheet and a triallist too.  I would think a useful lesson.  Next off to sunnier climes as we go to Spain and face two championship sides; these will give a good indicator to how our close season training has gone, and if we're gelling.  Looking at the opposition in League One this year...we're going to need every ounce of gelling we can get!  But, I think we've got the wherewithall to do something special...

Wow!  That was scary...that fence can be awfully high to perch on!  Also..gel can get awfully sticky!!