Monday 24 September 2007

Ups and downs



If only I'd have looked into my crystal ball ... I would have realised that the return to school had been a bit too easy. That we were slipping quite effortlessly into the routine and coping well with the early morning starts. If only I'd looked into that ball, I might have forseen that things were bound to go pear shape at some stage!
Well it happened this weekend. The girls had parties and shopping trips organised - we were, as usual, the acting taxi service, the catering corps and cashpoints. What more could a girl want? Well a 48 hour running battle with your sister would be good! It started on Friday night and ended at some point yesterday early evening, at some unknown time the girls had declared a truce and were able to spend some time together without a return to battle! I'm putting it down to being tired and the return of homework but this crystal ball predicts lots of early nights for the near future (take note girls if you're reading this!).
Also, sorry puss for not realising that you weren't just putting on weight in the old jowl area and that middle age spread was for some reason spreading to your face. That chubby little cheek look was in fact an abscess - sorry! Thanks M for doing the emergency dash to the vets! (No I couldn't find any pretty photos of that!)



I was determined to slip away for an hour's peace yesterday, and was very glad I did. Look what I found at the car boot. These gorgeous china cups and saucers were 50p each! A summer's garden on my shelves to make me smile! Aren't they pretty?


If my crystal ball had told me a few months ago that I'd be enjoying my own blog and making my cosies etc to order I would not have believed it! I got another order last week for 7 cosies and a dozen pompoms! I've managed to cut 5 metres of fabric into strips this weekend (very good for venting any frustration) and have remembered to get the plasters in this time to protect my thumbs! So I'm going to be a busy girl for the next couple of weeks. Apologies if I'm not able to catch up with all your blogs as regularly as I would like to do.

Something that constantly surprises me is the kindness of bloggers. Niki from Nostalgia at the Stone House, spotted my green eiderdown in an earlier post and contacted me to ask if I would like a matching vintage bedspread that she didn't want anymore! It arrived this weekend and is beautiful! Thank you Niki - it was so unexpected and lovely! My bed seems to be gathering layers weekly although I think I'm more "mummy and the mountain" than "Princess and the Pea"!
Thanks to Louise at Beachyscapecodcupboard for nominating me for a "You Lift me up" Award (perhaps I shouldn't have spent the first half of this post moaning !). This was another wonderful surprise. Instead of nominating anybody in particular I think it's only fair to share this with all of you because I think we all lift each other's spirits.
Right I better get back to my ragging. Now the house is calm and quiet, I'm looking forward to the girls coming back from school ... ding, ding Round Two ...

39 comments:

dottycookie said...

Oh I sympathise. Mine are smaller than yours but we seem to be living in Tantrum City these days - sometimes I have to take myself into hiding and have more than a few deep breaths to just get through he afternoon!

pinkgreen said...

We had a similar problem this weekend. I think going back to school can be so tiring and it is easy to forget that's the reason. I find banishing them to separate rooms works a treat ;-)
Congrats on your orders - you will be busy! Love the teacups too (you can't beat a bargain).
Cathy X

Anonymous said...

That's super news about the order, but not surprising as your tea cosies are so lovely.
I've had my two playing in different rooms to stop the arguing and when they were at it in the back of the car yesterday I wanted to get out and walk!

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Oh we know all too well about those sibling spats at our house! Glad yours were able to make amends by the time the weekend was over.

I am amazed at the cost of those yummy cups & saucers! And the spread from Niki is wonderful!

Louise said...

Mine were at it today too and it's only the first day of the holidays! Deep breath... I LOVE your cups and saucers and you describe them so well. Well done with the orders - hoping one day I can do the same with something. And how lovely to receive such a nice gift - that's the third time this week I have heard of one blogger giving to another just because. I was offered a couple of yards of fabric today just because I said I liked it!! Such wonderful generosity!

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Life certainly gives us a reality check from time-to-time, doesn't it? But I absolutely think getting that matching bedspread from Niki is so wonderful. How thoughtful.
Have a wonderful day
Kitty

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about the not-so domestic bliss of late! Hope calm will soon take the place of storms...That cutting up of fabric--great stress reliever that! Congrats on your many orders--hooray! You'll be a busy bee...Some tea in those lovely cups will keep you going! Happy week to you & yours ((HUGS))

Samantha said...

Hi Kim,
Conrats on your order.

I know all about squabbling children. I always find an early night works wonders!

x

Country Cottage Chic said...

Oh dear - getting embroiled in sisterly warfare is best avoided!

Your cups & saucers are so pretty & a real bargain too.

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Love the little tea-cups-what a bargain! And how kind of Niki too, you must have been thrilled!xx

Betty said...

Must have been something in the air this weekend. I was ready to pull out my air with the "boys" by Friday night, but all was calm on Sunday. We'll miss them when they move out...;o)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your award, sorry to hear that "war" has broken out, children huh, bless!

Anonymous said...

Your cups and saucers are lovely finds, Kim! I hope your kitty feels better soon. Congratulations on your award, on your cosy orders AND on the beautiful gift of the bedspread! ~ hugs, Lynda ♥

Thimbleanna said...

Here's to more ups than downs! Hope things will settle out soon. Just remember my mantra -- they won't be doing this forever! The day will come when you'll miss all that squabbling! ;-) XOXO

Amanda and Tim said...

Wow that's one BIG row - glad it's over (for now lol!)

Hope the cat is much better now!

Oh and so pleased to hear how well your ragging is going and that you receive such lovely gifts - you deserve to be treated once in a while!

meggie said...

I love a visit to your blog. it does lift me up, with all the pretty pictures. You have a gift for taking wonderful photos, of simple things.

julia said...

Car booting raises your spirits doesn't it, especially when you root out those bargains?

Fear not about your daughters, my sister and I spent most of our childhood fighting and now we love being together. My two fight continuously and then have huge making up sessions after.It's never calm in this house!

Julia x

kate said...

Kim,

You made a big score with those china cups and saucers. I love the little blue table pictured with your wool.

Besides going back to school, I wonder if our tempers tend to be shorter at this time of year. Since my son is now a teenager, I can't really tell anymore!

It's great that you have orders for your cosies and pompoms.

I hope your cat is healing well! Have a wonderful week!

Mrs.E said...

Love your tea cups and saucers...they are gorgeous.

Sounds like you're one busy mom but I do have to say it gets a little "simpler" as they get older. Mine is in high school now and the house is definitely less chaotic now so just wait :) ....less chaos is in the future but enjoy it nonetheless because they do grow up quick.

Leanne said...

that china is so pretty!! had i been at that boot fair i would have arm wrestled you for it!! (big grin)

Leanne x

Rubyred said...

Hi Kim,Kids eh,we had a good first week back at school and then a nightmare second week ,when the tiredness had set in! Hopefully things will improve this week! Love your sweet little bargain cups and congratulations on your orders,you will be a busy little bee!

Nonnie said...

Good news about the order. That's going to keep you busy! I love those sweet little cups. They look so good displayed altogether on the little shelves.

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping that bedspreads and gorgeous cups and saucers will offer solace until the children stop sniping at each other. Peace will return!

Anonymous said...

Oh what a lovely blog! I will love to dip into this from time to time whilst I am abroad, to remind me of what I would one day love to come back to, i.e. England. I work away from home (doing humanitarian/development work) and often yearn for all things English. There is a lovely English feel to this. What a lovely find, thanks. Your cats are adorable by the way.

The Honourable Billy Blunt said...

I love your cups and saucers Kim,thankfully our kids are being good at the moment and J is enjoying grammar school.
I had a bad week recently and somehow it seemed to bring a lot of things to a head and we're all calm again now.
I hope you get time to relax under that gorgeous bed spread.
I'll be thinking of you doing all those tea cosies,hope you don't get so sore this time !!!!
Kat xx

Mary said...

As mother, I always felt I had to be peacemaker when my two weren't getting along, but then I realized that maybe it was better if they learned to work it out for themselves. It's still not pretty to be around, though!

Gosh, your pictures are just plain beautiful -- like looking at lovely sherbets in luscious colors!
Keep smiling!
Mary

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Kim

I can't believe I haven't been to visit your blog since your sloe gin post. Where has that time gone then? I've missed so much - your birthday included - glad you had a lovely day.

It's amazing how our lives can change in just a few months, isn't it. You making cosies to order and my purchases seeming to now centre far more on textiles and decorative items than the stock I was buying this time last year.

Long may life evolve ...

Sue xx

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Bloggers are some of the most kind hearted people around!


Thanks for coming by our Romantic Country Party!

tea time and roses said...

What pretty little tea cups... I love each one of them! They are so beautiful cannot help but make you smile. Congratulations on all your orders that is really exciting!

Smiles to you...

Beverly

Anonymous said...

Hi, very pretty cups and saucers...they look lovely together.
My children used to fight all the time when they were small, but now they're grown up they're the best of friends...I think it's just the normal pattern in families...very wearing when they argue though!
Glad your orders are doing well.
Margaret and Noreen at THY

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Oh how funny! Uh, I mean how sad...or how typical? Kids!!!!
Nobody warns us about these things :) Not even our crystal balls...but then there are Beachys and Nikis to help things along and aren't we glad for that!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

And those tea cups and saucers are just perfect! So sunny and bright.

Theresa said...

Hi Kim, I've got a daughter aged 11 and a son aged 9. they get into the car and the explosions start. I pull over, turn off the engine and get out a book to read, it then goes quiet and then they start to giggle!!
Tea cups are lush, i have started buying old colclough china and using it, which my mum and mum in law love. Theresa x

mollycupcakes said...

Wow 48 hours of tantrums, do I have this to look forward to with my 2 little ones lol argh! help?
It must be a girl thing, screaming at one another one mintue and best friends the next.
Glad it's all sorted out now.

Love the pretty china and bedspread.
Good luck with the order, see you soon.
Hugs.
Catherine x

Heidijayhawk said...

i need to consult my crystal ball a wee bit more often. sounds like an event filled weekend. love the cups.

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

I can very much relate to the sibling battles going on in your house. Mine are boys so theirs only last a few minutes but for girls I am sure it is quite different. lol

Have a great day! Love your treasures! Heather

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim,

I love those china cups and saucers. What a bargain!

Marie x

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Kim,
Good luck with that huge order of yours! Take care of those thumbs!

So glad that the bedspread arrived safely and that you are pleased with it - love the photo with the magenta hydrangea flower - the colours together are glorious!

Hope your little ones are being good this week - two of mine flew the nest at the weekend, so it is VERY quite around here now.....

Happy Ragging!
Niki x

weirdbunny said...

I love those teacups !!!
People out there really are wonderful aren't they, you must have been thrilled to receive the bedspread.

As for rag rugging, I want to do a big union Jack rag rug this winter. I'll let you know how it goes.