Family visits

Sunday, 30thSeptember

Pretty mild morning.Ina gave me lift to church as Sandra playing at Cockenzie. Found it quite warm in church, as heating’s come on for winter.Kay arrived with boys and made a start on preparing John’s bedroom for decorator. I know I should have done it right away but I kept putting it off. Kay is great. So loving,yet so practical. She brought boxes and packed everything temporarily so that I can put what I want back in.Felt a bit upset at times but Douglas so sweet.Kept giving my arm a wee squeeze. Robert was funny, being important, dusting ornaments etc before putting them in boxes. Hopefully the boys will manage to move the furniture into the hall this week or maybe the weekend.

Wasn’t sure if brown bin went out or not. Karen next door came over and took it out for me when I asked her about it. Margo and bairns came. Brought my tea. Keir looked so smart in rugby shirt Kay had brought for his 9th Birthday. Ailie helped me sort out my winter clothes. Had a good laugh when she imitated Sumo wrestlers with Keir.Especially as they're both so skinny!

Jonathan said he’s to prepare a talk on a book in English. Teacher suggested “A Clockwork Orange”. I was really taken aback. Haven’t read it myself, but I know it’s controversial and the film was banned or something. Must ask Christine what she thinks, as I’ve been out of the classroom for a while now, so I may be out of touch.Jonathan is a mature reader for his age, but I’m still a bit worried. I enjoyed Ian McEwan’s “On Chesil Beach”. Tension builds up, so that you’re hoping all the time that the young couple’s problems will be resolved. Very moving.

Garden privacy

Saturday 29th September

Couldn’t believe my eyes when I wandered through to the kitchen this morning. Five workmen on the roof of the house opposite (well one down) cutting out a big dormer window. Felt as if my privacy was being invaded, but it’s ok. The young couple who live there are expecting their second baby, so they must be converting the whole attic to make more room. John always wanted to do our attic, when the bairns were wee, but we couldn’t afford it and anyway we hadn’t bought the house then. Actually our hut shields the garden and there are trees for privacy. The little shelter John made for me is still quite secluded.

Did some washing and ironing, then shopping online. Wrote a few letters, which were long overdue, then went for a walk when the sun came out. Later Jean and I went to Goth for tea. Enjoyed it very much. Nice atmosphere. Met some interesting people,who were asking us all about the Pans. Bobby gave us a lift down, but we got the bus back up.

Bird of Paradise

Friday 28th September

Usual Friday. A little shopping before having my hair done. It needed cutting today so a bit tidier looking. It still amazes me that it stays nice without a perm.Must be the way Sharon cuts it. Enjoyed tasty lentil soup and assorted sandwiches at the lunch. They made over £500 for Macmillan Nurses. John always enjoyed Audrey, his Macmillan nurse, coming to visit. She was a very calm, cheerful person and came to see me even after he died.Bobby came in afternoon. Brought a video, which John had given to Julie and Fiona for the day centre. It’s of an old gala day party and it brought back many memories. Fiona is in it and so is John. He looked so handsome. Mum is in it too, looking very frail.Phoned Douglas to see how his school’s coffee morning went. and he was telling me that his job was to escort people round the school and tell them all about it. Kay was serving coffee and teas.Watering my Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) today, I noticed there are three new leaves growing. Hopefully that means there will be more blooms in January. Last year there were only two, but the first year it bloomed there were four! Catherine and Arthur brought it from Madeira five years ago and it was just a stick. We were so thrilled when the first flowers appeared three years later. No Coronation Street tonight, but I’m going to watch River City, which has improved recently.

Domestic Goddess

Thursday 27th September

Been quite domesticated today. Cleaned all worktops, cooker and bathroom thoroughly. Margaret comes to help me every fortnight, but I can manage these kind of tasks on my own. Stewed the apples which have already fallen and put them in freezer. Found peeling the apples quite difficult, as my hands are a bit painful. Missed John, as he used to peel them for me. In fact we made apple jelly together, but I don’t think I could manage that now and anyway I woulld never use it. John liked it on his morning toast, instead of marmalade.

Phoned Helen to see how she got on at hospital yesterday,but she is fine. Al away helping Kirsten, so she is watching the gallery. The exhibition just now is craft work by three women. Very unusual, but some pieces are really beautiful, Lovely handmade little bags, delicate pictures on silk and ornaments made from felt.

Dick brought Joyce along as she was fed up and he wanted to go to B&Q. I’m taking her to a lunch in the church hall tomorrow in aid of the Macmillan Nurses. Jean came later, bringing a piece of her home made loaf, so we had a slice with our cup of tea.Asked her what to do with buddleia cutting she had given me as it looks a bit leggy, but she said it needed planted out in the garden to harden over the winter. She is an expert on plants. Bobby called in on way home with bread and milk as I was running short. Told him I would have managed till tomorrow, though I do like plenty on my porridge. Arthur phoned. Playing at Labour club tomorrow so practising tonight with his guest artiste Chris Day who is teaching him classical guitar.

Must start preparing for Christmas. Hope to get most things online. TV rubbish tonight, so watched an old film I had taped this afternoon. Enjoyed it, but I remember seeing it when it first came out. Getting on fine with balaclava. It was cold enough to wear one today.

John and Callum

Wednesday 26th September

Managed to get through yesterday OK with the help of family and friends. Can’t believe it is a year since John died. Last week, I kept remembering what we had been doing the year before, and thinking about those last few days and treasuring all the memories of our long and happy life together. Helen came up early and had breakfast, then Kay arrived with flowers. Went to his grave with the roses Kay brought and she tidied up the leaves and dead headed some of the geraniums, Bobby had planted. The sun shone brightly and there was even the beginning of a rainbow in the sky,which cheered me up a little. Went to Haddington and did a little shopping and then had lunch at a little cafe called the “The Pantry.” Looked out some things for Douglas and Robert to take to their school coffee mornig in aid of Macmillan Nurses when we came back, then had a wee rest in afternoon. Jonathan phoned when he came in from school.More phone calls and visits at night and Stephen stayed a wee while when he came to put out recycling boxes. Phoned and emailed to thank those dear friends who had sent cards and messages

Keir was nine on Monday and I had sent his card and present, but phoned to ask what book he would like from Play.com as I know he likes Jeremy Pratchett but I know he already has quite a few. Ordered a Jacqueline Wilson one for Ailie.

Big day on Sunday, as Callum was running in Prestonpans Half Marathon on behalf of Cancer Research in memory of his Grandpa. He had John’s photo printed on the back of his T Shirt and raised over six hundred pounds. Went up to see him on the final stretch and cheered him on. I felt very proud of him.

My trip to London for Rory and Ian’s wedding was a big highlight for me as I had a great time, not only at the wedding but enjoying the whole weekend. Travelling first class was so comfortable, as was our hotel and we had lots of laughs, one being when I discovered the house phone in the bottom of my case when I arrived!

Our hotel was “The Russell’ in Russell Square and I found the area round about fascinating as it was near Bloomsbury and the British Museum,which we even managed to visit. I even enjoyed being delayed in the taxi on the way to Old Marylebone Town Hall for the civil ceremony as I was interested as plaques on walls and well known names of streets caught my eye.The cake was to be a surprise and it certainly was, as it was a big circular table covered on Tunnocks teacakes with a big one in the middle. One of their friends, Laura had made it, covered it with silver foil and another had painted the red stripes, even putting their names and date on top!

Today Sandra invited me over for lunch, as Sheila from school was coming from town. It was great to see her, as she is quite a character and we have lots in common, so the three of us had lots of laughs and it was good to hear all she had been doing as she’s always travelling around. She’s off to Prague next week,then on to Austria for another week and, as she said, who knows after that! Always on her own and doing everything cheaply too.

Rita here in afternoon, so we caught up, talking about our knitting etc. She has been doing exquisite wee baby hats, some from patterns I had given her, others from patterns she had made up herself. The balaclava I’m knitting looked quite clumsy in comparison.

Rory's wedding

4th September, 2007

Think it's about time I started blogging again. There's so much I could have put in it since the last time. Been out and about quite a bit, felt pretty low some days as September approached, thinking about the 25th, but I'm blessed with my loving family and friends who are an enormous help.

I'm a bit apprehensive,but,at the same time excited, about going to Rory's wedding in London at the weekend. I haven't even had the confidence to go to Edinburgh for ages, never mind the great metropolis, but Helen, Al, Kirsten and Kenny are going, so I'll be well looked after. We're travelling first class, going to a posh hotel and I'm being taxied everywhere,so it looks as if I'll be completely spoiled. It's just the thought of all the crowds of people and the noise.Sure sign of getting old.Catherine borrowed a lovely hat for me - I just wish John could see it.