Goodbye To JLand, Meet me at Blogspot

I`m writing to let you know that My Scribbles will be closing after this entry. Yesterday I started a new journal at Blogspot and I will continue to write as I have been on AOL.  I feel really angry as well as a little sad that JLand has been treated in this way after all the years. We had a nice little community going and I, as well as many of you, had come to know all about the lives of our online friends and their famillies. When Kerry was expecting Roman my I kept my readers informed of her progress, when he was born again I posted bulletins. Now he is 3 yrs old and will in March have a new baby brother or sister. I won`t be able to keep you informed via AOL but I WILL via Blogspot. I know journals has been a lifeline to many people in JLand for many a reason. I really think AOL haven`t thought this one through properly. I know of quite a few poeple who will give up subscribing to them altogether, very likely I will be one of them. They are expensive and can be unreliable and now the journals are going, I have no need to stay with them. In these days of financial problems, can AOL really afford to lose customers?

Anyway, my very dear readers and friends, I have enjoyed the 4 and a bit years I`ve spent journalling. Sometimes I`ve posted daily, sometimes every couple of weeks, either way I DID have the choice. I have decided I will go before the journal is shut down completely. I have all the photos I`ve ever posted saved to disc or external hard drive so there`s nothing left for me here now. I do hope you`ll visit the new journal because I don`t want to lose touch.

For the last time Bye Bye and take care. :o)

Love Sandra xxxx

New Journal Link:

  http://sandrasscribbles.blogspot.com/

 

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Daffodils and Road rage

                 

 

Brrrr.....a chilly day today, the last vestige of Summer, what little there was, seems to have gone for this year.  I bought a sack of daffodils at work and set about planting them this afternoon but after putting in about a dozen I decided that I`d do some more tomorrow as I really wasn`t in the right mood, most unlike me as I`m sure you can guess. I then planted up two hanging baskets with Winter pansies before clearing up and putting everything away, hence my doing an early entry today. I just don`t seem able to get warm which is again, unlike me. I think it`s this virus thing that`s going on with me, I have swollen neck glands and a icky throat but nothing seems to come of it. Hopefully it`ll pass soon so I can get back to normal again.

Yesterday we went to Kerry`s for dinner. It was lovely to see them as it`s been over a week now what with Roman having been poorly too. He`s a lot better than he was but still isn`t 100% yet. We had a lovely afternoon and a tasty roast chicken dinner, Kerry`s a great cook and it`s always nice to have a meal cooked by someone else I find, it always tastes so much better. At the end of the day when we had to leave to come home, Roman wouldn`t give me a kiss and cuddle when we went home despite my coaxing. I felt a bit sad even though I know it was only because he`s not feeling his best.  Never mind, I know he loves me really. :o)

This morning when I left for work the road was almost blocked by school traffic. It is never usually like that but since the new school term it`s become a nightmare just leaving our drive and trying to get out of our road. One driver who blocked my way wanted me to drive on the grass even though I had the right of way, I refused as I didn`t want to damage my car`s suspension and luckily for me he reversed his vehicle, albeit reluctantly and gave me a very dirty look as I drove by. The school are very strict about the parents parking and at first when the new school opened last year there were no problems. Now however, there are cars parked on corners and very other available space. Householders drives are blocked and on friday I saw a car almost run over a small child with his mother. I really think there will be an accident soon, I just hope something will be done before it`s too late.

Did I mention that I had a tax rebate the other week? Well I did and it has come at the right time too, I really need a good winter coat but do you think I can find one I like? Not a bit of it. I did find one but the shop didn`t have my size and were very vague as to when they may have another delivery. I will keep looking though as I`m bound to find something. I know what I want, it`s just a question of finding it.

We`ve been giving our bathroom a revamp and I`m really pleased with the results so far. It didn`t need very much doing to it as the walls are completely tiled but the grouting looked tired and the window blind made the room look too dark. firstly Jim cleaned the grout and the shower door, then he installed a vertical blind we had made to measure in cream colour. He then laid new tiles on the floor to finish it off. What a transformation it is too, its very light and airy in there now, so clean and bright that it looks like new, and it hardly cost very much at all. I always think its the little things that make all the difference.

Our Jake has a bad leg again, we know it`s his arthritis so we are giving him shorter walks for a few days, that usually works for him, then it`ll be back to his usual runs again. Like the vet told us before, it would be wrong to deprive him of his long walks long term. She said it would be better that he had a shorter life that was full than a longer one that was boring because of lack of exercise. She is right of course but I do hope his life will be long regardless. His joints have been much better since we started giving him Seraquin, a supplement that helps lubricate them and contains a mild anti inflammatory. I`ll just keep giving him the tablets and hope for his continued good health.

Anyway, I`m off to cook something for my evening meal. I have no idea what I want to eat, I`ll have a look in the freezer for something quick and tasty as I`m not in the mood for cooking today. Take care and Bye Bye for now. :o)

                             

 

                   

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All At Sea With The Boys

The motley crew

My son and heir Daniel taking things very seriously

SIL Slava taking things.....well, not so seriously...lol!

A French ship that shouldn`t be in British waters. Jim said HM Coastguard had just boarded the illegal vessel.

Coming home again. :o(

As you can see the fishing trip went ahead and they all had a wonderful time. They were catching fish all day, no-one was seasick despite the very choppy seas and they all had a really good laugh. Jim only brought three fish home as did Slava. Dan didn`t bother bringing any home as he lives in a shared house and his housemates wouldn`t be too happy about the smell of fish wafting into their rooms...lol!

After their adventure was over they went for a meal. There was an offer that you could buy two meals for £10/$20.  They all took advantage and each ate well very cheaply.  The guys have decided amongst themselves that they should go on these trips more often....good for them I say. One thing though, do you think they`ll ask their wives along???....lolol! ;o)

 

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Butchart Gardens, Canada ~ Photos

Hello everyone,

Well it seems that the so-called Indian Summer has departed after just a couple of days. When I woke up at 6am it was still dark but as it grew lighter you could see it was very overcast and, might I say, a bit chilly. I hope the weather holds for Jim`s fishing trip tomorrow. I`m actually waiting to hear from him to see if the trip is comfirmed yet, he rang the boat owner at midday but he asked him to call back this evening. Slava is calling me in 30 mins to find out whether to come here from work or go straight home....oh oh, phone.............Panic over, trip is going ahead, Jim is happy, Slava and Danny are happy....oh joy, I`m happy because they are happy....lol!

I didn`t sleep very well last night because of aches and pains from all the weekend gardening.  I had decided not to set foot in the garden this afternoon and content myself with a weekly clean of the bedrooms but somehow I couldn`t get started with my gardening `fix` first.  One of my new plants, one that I bought in the half price sale at work, is a Cordyline "Dazzler" and very nice it is too. For some reason it came with a half filled pot so I topped it up ready for Winter. It`s a very tender plant and I`ll overwinter it in the shed as I don`t want to lose it. I`m trying out a few sub tropical plants, hardy ones of course, but even they are tender when they are young. I also hope to mark out the new area that I`ll be cutting out of the lawn for another planting bed. Oh yes, I have grand plans afoot...and much spade work for Jim...lol!

Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island. It was a beautiful, hot sunny day and I loved every minute of the 2 hour visit there. Butchart  was dug out of the rock, and gradually made into a beautiful garden by the Butchart family 100 years ago.

The Italian garden

A beautiful acer in the Japanese garden

Oh dear, I can`t remember which garden this is!

Oh look, wildlife lurking in the bushes...lol!

One of the many fountains.

Stroking the snout of the Butchart boar, it`s supposed to bring you good luck. If you look closely you can see how shiny his nose is from all the tourists trying to see if the luck will rub off.

From the Japanese garden again, one of my favourites

Sorry, I didn`t mean to post this many photos but it was hard to choose from all that I took there. I do hope you like the few I`ve shown you.

We visited Butchhart on the way back from Vancouver Island. We were all feeling a bit flat after the wonderful visit to the city of Victoria and the thought of it being the end of the holiday. The trip to the gardens cheered us all up enormously.

Anyway, my friends, I must go now. Take care and Bye for now. :o)

 

                

 

 

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Photos from Dorset

                 

                    Jake, at home in the Dorset countryside.

 

Hello everyone,

Well I`ve done it, even though I said I wouldn`t.......I dug up the cosmos despite them being in flower. I decided that as it is getting toward the end of September and that this warm and sunny weather can`t last much longer that they would have to go.  There is much to be done in the garden in preparation for winter and I want to take advantage of the good weather while it lasts. Cosmos are huge plants and they have to be desposed of and I can`t put them all in the compost even though I`ve had a good try. AND I haven`t pulled them all out yet, I have that job still to do and my back has started to complain so I will take heed and take my time.

On Tuesday Jim, Danny and Slava and some of Jim`s mates from work are going on their long awaited sea fishing trip. They will be going 35 miles out to sea and will fish near a wreck where the fishing should be excellent. They are really looking forward to it, especially Jim, who was so disappointed when the trip had to be cancelled earlier in the year due to bad weather. They will be leaving here at 3am and travelling to Hayling Island in Hampshire where they will set off in the fishing boat called TRIO. I do hope this time the weather will hold for them as they would have to cancel until next year and they really don`t want that to happen.

                       

                         

                          Bowleze Cove, Dorset

I haven`t seen very much of Danny since he went on holiday to Rome but then I`m not surprised as he has a `secret` girlfriend...yes really. Jim and I have concrete proof but have no intention of telling Dan of our discoveries. I think he knows we suspect but the strategy is to NOT question him but carry on as normal. I know my son and I don`t think it will be long until he says something.  Watch this space.  Oh yes, we know who it is too. ;o)

Roman started nursery school this month, he had previously attended pre nursery playgroup but now he is one of the `big boys` as he calls them. Kerry was telling me that he had a French lesson the other day, can you believe that?  he`s so funny, the other day he told me that mummy said that if he eats to many sweets he will get fat....."Just like Mummy!"  he said .... hehehe!

Having lunch at Lulworth Cove, the weather was chilly but dry so we spent the morning walking around and climbing the hills. We had a tasty and well earned lunch in this little restaurant.

Lulworth Cove

The Stair Hole

A rare bucket and spade tree...lol!

A very tired little man on the way back to the cottage.

I hope you like some of my photos of Dorset, meanwhile I`m off to make myself something to eat, all that gardening has made me hungry...lol!  Bye for now. :o)

 

            

 

             

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Photos, Flowers and Ears!

 

Hello everyone,

It`s been a beautiful day here in the south of England, much better than it has been of late. I suppose we have to be grateful for each sunny day as after the appalling summer we`ve had this year. Of course, we haven`t suffered the extremes of weather that there has been in America and many other places, for that I`m extremely grateful, but it HAS been very miserable with the constant rain, wind and cold, unseasonal temperatures. Today, as I said has been a welcome change....long may it last, I say!

Now I`ve downloaded and sorted out all my holiday photos, Canada and Dorset, I`ve at last deleted them from my camera and took some of my garden which, despite being battered by the above mentioned rain etc., has sprang back to life and is looking lovely again with lots of flowers and many more buds waiting to open. I was going to dig everything up in disgust after our return from Dorset but when I got home I couldn`t believe my eyes. I think the flowers must have heard my dark mutterings about throwing them all in the compost...lol!

This rose, Grace, was going to be dug up without a doubt. It hadn`t done as well as I`d hoped so I decided that I`d had enough....lo and behold after a week away...just look at it!

Just look at the colours in this bloom, absolutely gorgeous!

This photo doesn`t do justice to the garden but it`ll have to do. The flowers mainlyare dahlias, cosmos and gladioli.

The yellow dahlias are enormous, over six inches across. I did have two plants but slugs ate one of them!  I`ve never grown cosmos so had no idea they grew so tall. The fence behind them is six feet tall so you can see what I mean.

I hope I haven`t bored you with my garden. I have this tendency to think everyone else is as passionate about gardening as me...lol!

After our two holidays this year, which of course we enjoyed immensely, we have to be very careful about money from now on. Of course the financial climate isn`t good throughout the world and I doubt it will get better for some time now. Christmas will creep up on us before we know it (sorry!) and as usual it`s an expensive time of year.  Much belt tightening is being done from now on just so we can give our family a really good Christmas as we like to do every year, of course I don`t mean it to sound that bad but we do need to be careful. Yesterday we received an electric bill that was much higher than it usually is at this time of year. We wouldn`t mind but we are always careful with the utilities so are dreading the heavy winter bills popping through the door. On the plus side I got a tax rebate on Wednesday and it was very gratefully received too. Jim told me to treat myself so I`ll take some and buy a new winter coat and the rest will go in to my Eyeore money box for Christmas.

I had an appointment to have my ear syringed this afternoon. I finish work at 1pm and the surgery is just around the corner but they couldn`t fit me in until 2. I rished out of work and came across just about every road obstacle you could think of. When I finally arrived home I had just enough time for a quick wash and change, a quick cuddle for Roman and few words for Kerry and flew ouyt of the door again. I reached the surgery in time and when the nurse saw me the first thing she did was measure my height and weight......WHY???? I made a joke about my being a little old for that but she didn`t smile and ushered me into the treatment room. She asked a few questions, peered into both my ears and told me they BOTH needed doing but one needed drops first. I told her I know that but didn`t want them both done together. Right she said and told me she wanted a colleague to have a look also. Why, I thought, it there a problem?  The other nurse came and looked too and then said they both needed doing but one needs drops first. Yes, said I and explained again. It was after all this that the second nurse announced that the machine they us for syringing was broken and that they are waiting for a new one to arrive.  I just couldn`t believe I`d gone all the way there, been measured, weighed poked and prodded twice just to be told they couldn`t do it....why didn`t they ring me at home to tell me?  Anyway, they will let me know when the new machine arrives so I can make a new appointment, they better had too as I`m fed up with the headaches I`m getting as well as the uncomfortable feeling it gives me....and the dulled hearing. I just hope the new machine doesn`t break before I get there...lol!

Anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend, I know I intend to. Take care and Bye Bye for now. :o)

 

                 

 

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Important Announcement!

All readers of My Scribbles will know that the cute little baby in the photo is my grandson Roman now aged three.  Well..........

It`s with the greatest of pleasure and much joy that I can at last announce that he is to have a baby brother or sister next March.

I can`t quite believe it myself and to say that Jim and I are happy at the prospect is an understatement.  Kerry is really well now after a bout of feeling a little off colour in the mornings but apart from that all is well. Today she had her first scan and they said the baby is fine and has a strong heartbeat. Oh, we are just so happy and it`s been hard keeping a secret until now.  I`ll keep you informed the way I did with Roman but until there is more news....Bye for now. :o)

 

                                            

 

Ice Fields and Lake Louise

Hi again,

I`m glad you liked my holiday photos, now I`ll add some more.

 

The Athabasca glacier in the Columbia Icefields, it was such an unreal experience and it`s not everyday when you walk on a glacier. It might as well have been on the moon!

and I forgot to say, it was absolutely freezing....brrrr!

These are the specially built snowmobiles that take you on to the glacier. They are purpose built for the very precarious job of taking tourists to the icefield and back in safety.

Jim with Jeanine our tour director. She was born and bred in the Rockies and the cold was nothing close to what she is used to.

Holes appear in the glacier all the time and they are quickly filled in before they become deep crevices.

Tourists stepping out on the ice.

 

At beautiful Lake Louise. The lake is fed from a glacier which is why it`s icy cold all year round.

from another angle

A Blue Jay, or Whiskey Jack as they call them in Canada. We don`t have them here in the UK so it was nice to see them, they are very noisy though...lol!

I just love the colour of the water though it isn`t really turquoise, apparently we just see it that way.

If you look in the windows of the hotel at Lake Louise, you can see the mountains reflected in them.

Leaving Lake Louise

Bye for now. :o)

 

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