Our viewer...

...arrived twenty minutes early and was gone before he was due. He came, he looked, he asked questions and had another appointment, so was gone...it was like having a whirlwind visit... You also get paranoid about cars slowing as they pass your house, especially if they turn around and come across for a second look...and are holding a sheet or two of paper. It's a will they? Do they? Are they?

But, the viewer being so early did mean I could turn this on and put on the commentary for my team, and we were doing well...holding our own considering we're playing Wolves and they're top of the league to our bottom space....*and we've just scored!*...I was about to say they scored through our ex player Iwelumo and went into the lead at half-time. Now, it's 1-1...through Zheng Zhi, a player we've been missing nearly all season through injury.

We went to Molineux last season, were able to park the car next to the stadium...but, if anyone ever goes again and it's sunny...take your glasses and a baseball cap. The away fans are positioned in the worst place for the sun direction.

Back to the game...

Having saved a penalty...we lose 2-1...I think that's a better scoreline than some supporters were giving us credit for!

I told...

...you this weekend was an emotional roller coaster.

My viewers of today...didn't come. I got a call forty five minutes before they were due, to tell me. We're not in the right catchment area. Okay, and when did we work that one out?

Maybe it's just me, but that's the sort of thing I check before I make an appointment...but such is life...

Now I'm going to do other things, and try not to take it out on the card.

All the...

...emotions fill the weekend.

I'm not sure if one thing is cancelling the other, but my weekend is a strange roller coaster of emotions. If we start late Friday afternoon, we had a call from our agents saying someone else wanted to view, but couldn't make it until next weeks Saturday. Chalk one up to joy, then yesterday morning another call with another viewer who will be arriving here in about two and a half hours, so another one to the joys...yesterday afternoon the agents showed someone else round who knows the house as he was a friend of our sons and viewed first time, last year...so three for the joy pile.

Take against that the events of yesterday afternoon at my football teams ground...another roller coaster within one. We found ourselves out played for the first twenty minutes, and Watford scored in the eighteenth minute...or seventeen minutes and somewhat seconds. A definite down moment. We then realised they weren't as good as we thought, and we scored two. Half time, shock horror...we were in front! Another one for the joy pile. Obviously reality set in at half time and we had time to digest this unusual occurrence, and we let them score twice in the second half! Two to the down sides again...though sitting directly behind the first of these...the shot was a good one, but maybe, just maybe our defence shouldn't have let it get that far. A couple of calls for penalties...especially when Hudson was pulled down, but I have a feeling the referee took the decision he was not in control of the ball, but...you try to read a ref's mind, I've given up! Also we had a goal disallowed for being off side...that I'd like to see again, before I pass judgement. That was before they got back into the game... So the afternoon did not pass well...

As you can see my emotional roller coaster rolls on. Just keep passing the pills...I'm beginning to need them!

Gosh...

...a new day, a new week, and a new month...(okay yesterday was the 1st...but you get my drift!)

Where did those two months go!?! And in just three weeks it's Spring...and my sisters birthday...and in four weeks we get lighter evenings. I can feel a smile trying to erupt! ;)

Anyway...the last day of February saw my team draw away to Swansea. A passing result, but unfortunately those around us did themselves more good, and won...so we're further adrift. Listening to the commentary we did battle after going behind, and were unlucky not to score a second, but that's how it goes when you have to rely on others, and we do now need to do that. We have to win, but that's not enough...we need those around us to lose. Tomorrow evening I'll be at the Valley to see if we can beat Doncaster...make a little more luck for ourselves. It's passing strange that we're trying to move to Norfolk and the team directly above Charlton in the league, with the potential of going down with us is Norwich...they lost at the weekend too.

Our perennial viewers came back on Saturday. I was nice! This morning I have some calls to make, and beads to make...and the post office to visit, some beads off to Georgia...oh, and Saturday I had some beads go to Hawaii...that was a first. :)

Okay...

...it's definite! I really shouldn't plan my days! Having told someone I would be making beads and then decorating today, and then starting the making, I get a phone call from the estate agent, someone would like to come to view! Okaaayyy...when? Panic hits. Not 'til 3:30 this afternoon. Yay! Time to put things away, and tidy up the decorating...just leaving the explaining of odds and ends around...

They duly arrived a little late, and seemed to like the house, the fact we having planning permission in place, we have wildlife coming into the garden, etc....now it's a waiting game again...not that they've sold, but they have to move as his job's now here, and not where they're moving from. Just do they like this over what else they've seen? A waiting game again...

Most of the...

...CAFC blogs concentrate on the men's first team, but we didn't have a very successful few days with several teams. Our first team lost 4-1 to Sheffield Wednesday, our reserves lost 4-0 to Reading, and our womens team lost 0-6 to Birmingham City...but that was in the cup, and they're still doing fine in the league, and several sixteen year olds played. Other than that, it's very quiet.

It's early here, and I've dragged my poor overloaded laptop out again...while I watch/listen to the Australian Open. Lleyton Hewitt is playing against a seed...and the Australians have just woken up...it's been unusually quiet.

So, what's life been up to? Yesterday was planned, a trip into town to buy white paint for the kitchen ceiling, and the garage to get my little clip replaced...but, when the morning arrived it was dull and wet, and I honestly didn't feel like making the trip, so decided to make beads. After putting bed linen in to wash, I left everything for "later", switched the kiln on and lit the torch...nearing the end of making my first set the phone rang. Now that could be one of two people...I'd already spoken to my mother, and phoned my daughter in law wishing her happy birthday...so, it was either my husband or the estate agent, checking on last weeks conversation. Sally's voice came along the line..."I've got someone who wants to view", says she, "this morning!" Panic strikes as I think of the stripped beds, the layer of dust that was waiting for the afternoon...the cardboard that was on it's way to the recycling..."when's convenient?" "Give me an hour..." ever optimistic. "Would eleven be fine?" "Yes" I answer with a sigh. That would give me an hour and a half. She gives me the details and I start to fly about the house...beds made, and the phone goes...my thought...they've backed out! But, no...I have a second hour...my viewer wants to come at midday. Even better!

Then as she walks through the door, there I am in a clean and tidy house, changed out of my spattered work sweatshirt ready to show her around. Will she buy? I don't know. Will I hear? I think so, she's been let down herself and I don't think she's that selfish. Did I get more beads made? Nope. Nor did I get the paint or to the garage.

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 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!!