tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74901205139492763142024-03-05T11:20:26.837+00:00Frankie by the SeaUp sticks and moved to Cornwall from Cheshire 18 months ago. Moved all 4 children of varying ages, all happy to come and enjoy our life down on the farm. Creating a blog to let others see that a big move can work, it is for us!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-66145255659088350712009-04-15T11:08:00.004+01:002009-04-15T11:28:05.089+01:00Almost, but not quite!Moving in day, of course it is. It's raining so goes without saying! Dropped eldest boy at services this morning he has gone with a group of cornish boys for a footy course at Taunton. One of his sports teachers put him forward, it's a young leaders course for boys passionate about footy. So as long as he does his best hopefully he will be satisfied. So treated myself to a starbucks coffee and hit the supermarket very early. Quite a good time to go, no shoppers just loads of shelf stackers in the way and then no bloody tills open! Just another frustrated blogger I guess.<br /><br />I got back home just after 10 and yes readers builders are still building, no shower door now as wrong size ordered, no kitchen fitter, painter still painting, last doors being hung but still I cannot get in my home and make it well, homely!<br />Still yet to sort out curtains but not too worried as no near neighbours, just the guys rendering outside the bedroom window and then I guess the painter will be painting the rendering - one day all this will be mine again. I just want slippers, comfort no dirt no horrible workers boots around. Did I mention previously that the downstairs shower/wc and boot room will be boarded up from house so builders can get those rooms up and running so in actual fact house not really finished at all - or am I just being picky? Can't believe that I still have this bunged up nasal/head thing this is my fourth week, it's so much better but I nead both hands for a really good blow and that does relieve the pressure for a little while, can't smell anything or taste for that matter but don't worry about me i will solider on.<br />Just another note, not sure if it's because we are so busy here but I haven't had time to panic, or have anxiety at all not sure if it's the head? Normally I wouldn't be so bunged up, what could be happening to me? Am I becoming fulfilled and leaving the remnants of my past behind? Am I looking to deep for something that was my get out clause? Who knows, Frankie quit the gibberish!<br />Might just nip to TK Maxx and buy the lovely bedside lights I fancy?<br />Too rainy to move just now and house too full of men, well that's my justification anyway.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-12001636144751176852009-04-10T11:42:00.003+01:002009-04-10T12:01:11.942+01:00Who said it was a good Friday?I am not a whinger, but I shall have a go. Fitted furniture? Well it seems the company who supplied us are bull****<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ers</span>, several small vans have delivered furniture every other day since last Friday. Today the last van load of stuff has arrived, so you would think we were on target for Sunday move in, NO No No it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">aint</span> happening until Wednesday now. This has been my ultimate decision to make, I have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">disappointed</span> the kids and myself, his nibs wouldn't really notice we had moved at all, as long as he is fed and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">beered</span>! Because furniture came in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dribs</span> and drabs the fitter could only fit what he had which in turn meant he was working in 3 bedrooms at once, which then meant, carpet fitter couldn't fit, so he has delayed rest of fitting until Tuesday. So, feeling better already - it is good to talk! So it makes more sense to put things away into units and do everything else but leave the beds till last.<br />It's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Easter</span> hols, kids have gone to the beach to play footy with his nibs, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">am </span>ploughing through washing and looking forward to being clean and tidy in new home.<br />On a different note, shepherd has taken ewe and lamb away to help them bond, baby duck is doing well and I am enjoying the lovely weather, time wise it will be two years since my beloved step dad died on Easter Saturday, I always feel his presence and the kids love to remember him too, I am so glad the youngest child can still remember him.<br />Have a lovely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Easter</span> everyone, not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">toooo</span> much chocolate and spare a thought for the real reason we are celebrating, (gosh nearly went all religious on you, sometimes the catholic upbringing rears it's head from time to time)!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-79856806525050900962009-04-04T11:51:00.003+01:002009-04-04T12:14:02.148+01:00Are we there yet?Well readers, the answer is nearly, I know, I know a long and drawn out process. Deadlines passed with a laugh and a scream - both from me. But we have turned the corner, the decorator has almost completed upstairs, kitchen men PROMISE to come back on Monday, the carpet is due to be put down Wednesday and Thursday and the fitted furniture is being fitted as we speak! Yes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">that's</span> right, on a Saturday, he started yesterday morning and is working 12 hour days until finished on Easter Sunday which we think will be our first night in the house, very exciting. Apart from me starting with a head cold last week, missed a girls night in as would not have been good company to now have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">throbbing</span> head, watery eye and sore sinuses, so guess who still has to cook, shop, wash, clean chickens, pick poo, plant out and on top of all that (did make the hairdressers for cut and colour which was final countdown for house move), my 3 sheep started to have their lambs, lamb number one easy, born two days ago with ears like dumbo and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">enormously</span> long legs, oh and a massive scrotum hanging between legs, think that may be a ram says I. Number 2 sheep goes into labour, waters break and not much happening, 1 hour later head and one leg appears, hubby and friend tried to push back in to get the other leg, wouldn't budge, we ring our friend the shepherd who swings into action like the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cavalry</span>, however, lamb is dead, me sad I didn't cry just walked away left others to it. Builders had all be routing for the lamb, they seemed more upset than me! Then out of this tragedy comes hope, shepherd has an orphan lamb 3 days old at home, so (sparing details) he makes orphan lamb more attractive to the ewe, smells etc, and within 2 hours orphaned lamb is sucking from it's adoptive mother. They are secure in a stable at the moment but hopefully soon they will reunite with their friends in the field and gambol around together. Number 3 ewe due soon may well be expecting twins. Help.....Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-10771045884635616762009-02-24T09:41:00.002+00:002009-02-24T09:49:24.175+00:00Just when you think they have moved out!His Nibs made a special journey yesterday, he went and collected first born from Uni. The course was not right for her she wants to be more hands on, so having done her research she can go to night school in September and achieve a much more satisfying role for her, we are all so different how we learn. So footy boy has moved out of his room and into the caravan with rugby boy! He didn't complain so I am wondering if he thinks he has done a favour there is a good chance he may get a better prezzie in his birthday <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ummmm</span>. But thinks are moving on plastering takes forever to dry and can only paint when plaster is dry! Only 10 weeks until our first holiday guests arrive, crikey and we are still living in the cottage double crikey.<br /><br />We have just hatched 3 chicks and two more are cracking through their shells as we speak I love the hatching it never ceases to amaze me! Hopefully they are not all males.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-82535531979304966442009-02-23T11:48:00.004+00:002009-02-24T09:40:20.152+00:00Births, Babies,Children, Adults.There are sometimes in life when I just need to rant and today is one of those days, if I can just be allowed to get something off my chest and then I will continue with a normal post.<br />Thank-you, I shall begin.<br />My third child is a lovely, lovely boy. He will 15 on Sunday 1st March and no he is not called David, that just wouldn't be my/our style. He looks about 12, under fed and a boy you just want to hug. He is extremely popular, with adults, all ages of children and particularly the girls. He copes brilliantly with his lack of height by being very charming and I know he is my son but it works. He is also a fantastic footballer, he is a striker and for the past 4 years (apart from the spell when he had an ingrowing toenail removed) he has consistently scored between 40 and 50 girls per season. What he lacks in stature he certainly makes up on speed and agility. So, at the end of last season his manager was moving on in the world of football to help bring on the college students through Cornwall. My boy was approached by another team to go and play for them but he turned them down as he wanted to stay with a bigger club, he felt loyal he said. So he was picked up by a manager of another existing team within his club and age group. He never misses a training session and constantly at home practises his tricks and skills. Managers son is also a striker, according to others not a very good one, so my boy scores consistently in training, my boy plays in first few games and settles in to scoring hat tricks and more, my boy has become an obvious threat to managers son, just by having skill and natural ability. Some of us, believe me I am slways the first to blame my kids rather than their friends, are able to rise above this and recognise talent but not this guy my son has for the last 6 games been allowed onto the pitch for 8 minutes, if he is lucky I sobbed for my son on the way home yesterday, not sad just frustration. So my son has approached old manager to see if he knows of any clubs needing a striker, the funny thing is that he got the old managers contacts from his son who is in the same year at school and played together last year, showing that even another footballer recognises my sons talent. He even said he would happily play for a lesser side and help get them up the league table! As a quote often used in this family " what could be better than playing for Manchester United?" " Why playing for Manchester City of course!" - from the film Jimmy Grimble , well worth watching!<br /><br />Quite a long post for me but for anyone who reads this I am sure you will have come across this behaviour at some point in your life.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-40296491622896562872009-02-19T16:19:00.003+00:002009-02-23T11:48:22.091+00:00It should have been Friday 13th!All was going well, we have had a visit from the local constanbulary who have suggested where we should place our eggs for sale so they are secure. They were really nice guys who I think wanted a little trip out.<br /><br /><br />The house is coming along great, windows are in and being stained as I write the tiling is almost finished the biggest remaining job is still plastering, it really is like the forth bridge. His nibs and his opo decided a bit of landscaping was needed so off they go with the digger leaving loads of mess and rubble, carrying on with my business off to the laundry room to check my emails (only place I can get an internet connection) next minute feet from under me thud! Bloodied knee bruised bum and shoulder and all they could do was laugh - so after I had a). stopped crying, b) stopped swearing I composed myself and carried on with my business. Needless to say the pair kept a very low profile for a while. So one of the joiners decided he would stand on a piece of wood which was lying against wall at an angle - next minute it leapt off the wall and hit on the eyebrow, so if that wasn't enough painter moved his stepladder got back on it but didn't check where the feet of the ladder were - one foot had fallen into the gap between the planks on scaffolding, sooooo 3 cracked ribs later, not sure when he will be back. They (whoever they are) says it comes in three's!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-35847146874204695402009-02-03T11:11:00.002+00:002009-02-03T11:57:29.568+00:00Eggciting!Well a catchy title for my post that I bet has never been thought of before ha,ha. The egg bit is all down to the fact that last week between the daylight hours of 11.30am and 1.30pm someone stole our egg box. This was actually a large'really useful box' - sold in staples and the like,it contained about 4 dozen newly laid eggs a money tin (meant to be an honesty box) and the cardboard egg boxes. This is not an opportunist thief, this is someone who has done the rounds and sussed out what is available for the taking. The box sits in a pull along green garden trolley just to make it easy to pull along and lock away at night. The annoying thing is that there were at least 7 builders on site, there is a constant stream of delivery vehicles at all times of the day. It couldn't be anyone in an ordinary car because the box would be too big, it must be an estate car or van etc. Anyway really, really angry so told local police they didn't laugh but took the whole thing seriously, the stupid thing is the box cost more than the contents! So we are moving the eggs further down the drive at least we can see what happening and who is around.<br /><br />So and on to the snow, that is the citing bit of the title. Yes at last we have had snow in Cornwall so much so that the High School is closed, we had a text this morning to say so, I looked out of the caravan curtains and could understand why, a lovely winter wonderland. Great to see the kids faces and suddenly age doesn't matter the youngest daughter playing in the snow with her two brothers as if they were all under 10 - a lovely sight, great until the tears came, which happened when they sent snowballs her way I could see it from her point of view, she had straightened her hair for college this morning - did I tell you she will be 18 in June?<br />When we told her college was shut she cried - she is dyslexic, mildly but boy is she a creature of habit. She has to know the order of events every day of her life from getting up in the moring until bed time and if that routine changes for any reason god help the bearer of the news of the change ie his nibs said this morning, could you go and tell the Rottwieller that college is closed, so guess who got it in the neck, yup. The lovely Cornish man which works with us to bring our dream together turned up for work, in the truck, he only lives in the village but it was a dangerous journey, some would say foolish for trying but he couldn't stay at home I have never known a person so committed to work, then the chief builder arrived from the same village bringing in the chippy also the from the same village. So our man is working in the house to help with the plasterboarding! All hands on deck, last night the fitted furniture surveyor arrived 4 hours late and even with temporary lights couldn't survey all the house in the remaining light, so he drove off in a blizzard to find a bed for the night nearby. He said he would be back this morning which he was quite late, but lorries had skidded along the main road, cars were all over the place, so he took his time in his van and got here in one piece. As I sit in the laundry room looking out, the sun is shining and the snow is starting to melt, there is some more forecast but we shall have to wait and see, the danger is if it hasn't all melted it truly will be 'dancing on ice'.<br />The good news is that according to local radio February will be the month that people start looking at booking their summer holidays, so although we are beginning to get some cottage bookings, we could do with a few more, so fingers crossed, the caravan site is now in the new caravan club directory and we have had a lot of enquiries so much so that I turned someone away for an August booking! Hopefully with hubby getting us linked to different web site addresses folks will find out about us. In a way I don't want to be too busy the first year, last year it was just the 5 caravans, I thought people would be self sufficient, but it seems quite a lot of folk like to chat and of course check if they are allowed to walk around and see the animals which is fair enough, just as long as they are not stealing the eggs. Of which I will go and clean out their laying boxes. I might try to add some photos, you would think I would have got the hang of it by now!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-62634559089697009612009-01-21T15:59:00.002+00:002009-01-21T16:50:59.294+00:00Is it possible to be nice to the builder?and mean it?<br /><br />Well honestly fantastic builder I take my hat off to him - well according to my family I should never wear a hat! But, when we started on this project and spent a long time getting planning through and sourcing the builder, we have gone from him wanting to build the kitchen the bedroom furniture - sourcing mood lighting etc etc etc. So now we have had someone doing the roof, someone else doing the blockwork, it is so easy at the start of these projects to feel impressed by the confidence the builder shows and think it will be okay. What you cannot do is legislate for builders going sick, wind and rain being so poor that work has to be halted outside, but at least that gets the inside moved on again, hindsight is a great thing. I don't think we would have used another builder because he is brilliant but if ever there is a question to be answered he will ask me and then ask his nibs. No I am not phased by that attitude at all am I?<br />Who the bloody hell does he think he is, basically he should know by now that I have a budget for the interior and what I say goes. His nibs doesn't bother at all, up until 3 years ago he wouldn't even know where or when we were going on holiday, he would never of noticed if I had decorated a room. He didn't even know that I had moved no2 daughter to another school in year 3! So now he is getting quite wound up about the builder going behind my back it doesn't nothing to help relations at all.<br />So thanks, much better for ranting it really does help. So 67 sleeps left - hoping to move back in over the last week end of March, the stairs have gone in and look great I have offered to wax all the spindles which will start tomorrow - I bet I get that wrong.<br /><br />Yesterday was lovely for the weather is was nearly warm well sort off. At present sourcing low energy lamps and fitting, hardly anything decent about, but we'll get there you have to have 25% of fittings low energy to pass building regs, but I am happy with that we are hoping to go along the green tourism route so is anyone has had experience themselves we would welcome any imput.<br />First born rang today very upset - feeling pressured by some uni girls to take the smallest bedroom right by the front door for her second year house share at uni. Mum wont do needs dad so he told her to pull out and stay in halls, it seems there are a few others who will be doing the same, it is horrible when she isn't here but needs a loving arm. Anyway she is happy now hopefully the row with the particular girl will blow over.<br />What will tomorrow bring?Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-70305456123422735852009-01-17T12:46:00.002+00:002009-01-17T13:33:03.052+00:00Windy, but it wasn't the beans!Well folks having spent the first part of the morning, battening down the hatches, we keep an eye on the weather forecast but it seems the wind is about to blow quite severly. I am sure anyone living on the west side of the country will also be feeling a little worried. We have secured as much as we can and have airbeds in reserve if we need to decamp to the barn from the caravan again. Having looked at the met office weather forecast it appears the worst is through the evening and over by midnight. Maybe a few glugs of red will let me sleep through the night.<br />The second part of the morning was spent getting a late breakfast at Smokey Joe's transport cafe, all went well until having ordered and had a long wait when the food finally came I felt light headed, had a couple of mouthfuls and decided to wait in the car, I felt a bit mean but his nibs and the boys ate quickly because they were worried about me.<br />I feel fine now, I just think things are beginning to tell on me a bit. As previously posted his nibs is a wurling dervish and his mouth is the worst culprit, he offloads from the minute he wakes up until he goes to sleep at night and even then he has been known to talk in his sleep. Sometimes I wrote things down so as not to forget, in the past there was quite a bit of swearing he must have felt so stressed nowadays it's more of him organising himself. So consequently I will blame his nibs for 'going on too much'. I also feel the need for a leisurely bath and a lie-in, which just isn't possible in the caravan it is so noisy in there without insulation. Still 70 odd sleeps left in the van it's downhill all the way now yippee. The stairs are still waiting to be installed lying on the kitchen floor I keep tilting my head to work out how they will look when put in place.<br />I hope everyone stays safe in the wind, have a good weekend whatever you have planned.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-62847956936241846122009-01-07T10:27:00.002+00:002009-01-07T10:50:10.987+00:00Brassed off!I'm sure everyone is suffering with the brass weather at present, myself included!<br />Just had a small row with his nibs, he thinks I am making something out of nothing but I thought that he could have been a little bit more supportive. We have not had water since yesterday morning, so half way through washing my hair in the shower yesterday the water went, it returned slightly so 17 year old managed a quick shower last night. Today water frozen again, it's fine for the boys they don't care, but I look like ???? I am running out of knickers, can't do the washing, dishwasher will have to be unloaded and washed by hand. Sorry should I go on? At some point I will need to go out for supplies water, food, and the car showing -7c and to top it all I need air in one of my tyres! All I wanted was his nibs to say darling let me book you and the kids into a hotel for a couple of nights, Ha Ha, trouble is I look like a homeless person at present, so cold and wearing anything that is warm and clean, his nibs says if I kept busy I wouldn't feel the cold, don't you just love him?<br />The good news is it's meant to be getting warmer tomorrow, hopefully that might let the blockworkers back to keep putting the walls up, it has been so cold that even with stuff in the mix the cement was freezing before they could put it on the blocks.<br />Sorry to be ranting, it's just everytime I have a mole hill to climb it suddenly turns into mountain.<br />The good news is - yes there is some of that, the chickens are freezing their vents off, but coming back in to lay! Mathilda is definatly looking pregnant, exciting stuff looking forward to the spring - i seem to spend my life looking forward, I suppose it's because I can see my house coming along and all I want is to wake up in a morning, put my slippers on, pad downstairs and make a coffee, take it back upstairs and have a lovely hot shower, get dried with warm fluffy towels, do hair and make-up whilst being a TOG and then get dressed into smart clothes that match and that are clean and ironed I might even wear some jewels, they have been stored for 3 years now!<br />Oh well, onwards and upwards....Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-61208439538009147302008-12-29T13:59:00.004+00:002008-12-29T15:46:24.426+00:00Piggy in the dog house!For all you dirty minded bloggers, no I have not been having sex in the dog kennel!<br /><br />Piggy is our Jack Russell, we got hime because we live on a farm and wanted a ratter! That is if the need arose, however we are currently setting up our holiday business, through the summer we had caravans coming on holiday and come spring we will have two cottages ready for letting.<br /><br />This is the dilemma, piggy will not stop stealing the builders food! The guys came to work on the roof yesterday - yes Sunday, put there tiffin bags in the house and shut the door, not good enough he went in the back way and stole all their lunches.... They lock up food he finds a way in can anyone give me some advice, how can we stop him stealing off barbcues, going into the accomodations and stealing someones dinner? He is still a baby and I think he just wants some attention, so an early New Years resolution is to train the dog to come and stay and get him up to scratch by the end of March, else his nibs says piggy has to go!<br /><br />First born is really feeling the strain of living away from home, really doesn't want to go back to uni, it's knowing she can come home that keeps her there, unfortunatley until we are back in the house there is absolutly nowhere for her to stay - more problems! My friend I walk the donkeys with has children older than mine and she says that the worry hasn't stopped even for her - hey ho just have to get on with things.<br /><br />On a different note I have bought a heater for the laundry room, it helps dry the washing and keeps me warm whilst on the pc. I went mad yesterday and bought sn electric blanket for my side of the bed, his nibs never feels the cold. I'm sure our heating bills will be greatly reduced when we do get into the house, we are so cold in the caravan that tonight I might wear a woolly hat, we will be so warm in our fully lined, insulated house!<br /><br /><br /><br />Christmas Day was not the best, turkey was boned, rolled and stuffed for me and everything else was from M and S ready done. Trouble is I love to cook and hardly use salt so of course by Christmas night we were all thirsty ended up drinking water - great bundle of laughs we were. We got invited to a 70s party on Saturday night it was a great laugh with lots of party games people are so friendly here in Cornwall, however youngest had rugby training on Sunday morning so I deceided to drive and let hubby have a few drinks so I dropped himoff at the rugby and went to a supermarket as a treat - yes readers we realy did need more food.<br />Hope Christmas was good for you all and looking forward to New Year not sure about anyone else but I like the idea of everything starting off afresh on the 1st!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-33318535703312457232008-12-19T14:09:00.002+00:002008-12-19T14:23:27.888+00:00Biggin up my roof!Is it really that time already?<br />The builders have gone, but only until Monday, yes folks builders need work and the money and I NEED my house back!<br /><br />We have already taken two bookings for the holiday cottages, great I know but one cottage not finished and the other one we are using to cook and live in, so, builders have gone on their Christmas Lunch, off to the local pub for drinks and a meal, it's for all the self-employed workers in the village so they have taken hubby too! I know, I here you asking what about me aren't I self employed? Not according to them I didn't get a look-in, however head builder asked if I was around this morning I asked if it was important he said yes okay said I, I will be here, good said he, as it's our last day can we have bacon and egg butties at crib time 10.00am? As he had made sure I was here I had very little choice, they did enjoy them.<br />So I have waited for the bus to drop off my little darlings and thought I would suggest footy on the beach - no offence mum but you can't really kick a ball, not even the thought of hot chocolate would encourage them, there is an alternative we could always clean the chickens out, lead balloon effect I am afraid.<br /><br />So christmas hair appointment on Tuesday, should have had nails done tomorrow, but feeling really low and can't be bothered so cancelled that.<br />I am sure by the end of March I will be happy again No-one is ill or died and the sun is shining, I just feel a little low and need a good belly laugh, I would blog more but sitting in a cold room doesn't help to cheer me, so onwards and upwards - shouldn't but need to rush through christmas so I can get into my house roof is coming on and looking fab, walls going up inside and the heart is going back into the house. Merry Christmas to all out there whether you are a doer or a reader, no matter what your situation<br />love FrankieFrankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-80120960558744435272008-11-25T15:36:00.005+00:002008-11-25T16:39:49.928+00:00Just exactly whose idea was this?So the roof has come off, the builders are really cooking on gas, well they would be if we had gas in this neck of the woods! We had some delays, namely the wind, nowt to do with the builders but that from above. I lay in our bed in the depths of the duvet over the past few nights and said a little prayer along the lines of please don't rip the lid off my home, it really would be the final straw. So far so good, and the forecast shows a drop in the wind over the next few days. Normally- as in the old days when I had a proper home with central heating, a bath or two and everywhere in it's home type of home, who and I kidding it was always untidy, the kids would still fight etc, BUT I could potter about. I really miss my pottering, if I go into the laundry room that is where the washing machine is living and the only place my lap top works, it's freezing my fingers get cold, do fingerless gloves really work?<br />So it goes dark about 5.00pm i have to pick up daughter from bus I then finish tea off so the kids can eat If I have left washing or something needs ironing in the laundry room I have to go through the building site to get it I can't carry a torch and washing at the same time, his nibs suggested a hat with a light attached - yes I know it's a good idea but he just doesn't get it, I then take the clothes for the children living in the deluxe centrally heated barn with lovely new kitchen and power shower I then go back and get the washing for his nibs and myself and our youngest child who all sleep in the cold, damp miserable caravan - sorry caravan it's not your fault , you have kept your lid on for me! all my pottering is outdoors and I am hating it, the gas bottle has finished in the caravan so I can't have warm water to even wash my hands!<br />If I haven't had a shower before the builders arrive then I have to dress in the caravan and undress in the barn for a shower i hope you don't mind me offloading but this life is feeling uck right now I know it will get better - and before you ask or suggest I potter in the day it's difficult because the builders are driving dumpers, diggers today the scaffolders are here again and yesterday the roof trusses arrived. I can't even park close to unpack shopping as my car gets in the way and I practically shop everyday because I don't have the storage to keep enough food for all off us.<br />Right, thanks for that everyone, feeling a bit better, it's good to talk.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-46115376688607349302008-11-04T14:34:00.004+00:002008-11-04T14:51:25.955+00:00Everything is beautiful!Well I think so, it's because the birds are singing, the builders are building and his nibs has gone on a course about sustainable tourism! He has to give a presentation about our business etc, and explain where we see ouselves on the green side. What these people won't know is that his nibs is a very successful ex MD of a Recruitment Business and he won most of the work by the skill of his presenting! Sorry if I sound trumpet blowing, but credit where it is due, he may be a ***ser most of the timebut I would love to have been a fly on the wall when he spoke! Der of 'im, as they say here in Cornwall, or bless, to the rest of you.<br />So I am allowed on computer to look, to buy, to blog, whatever I desire, his nibs says I can go on at night but it means putting on a coat wellies with a tourch trying not to fall over the builders rubble, you get the picture, it's hard enough to put a coat on just so I can walk from the lovely warm barn and go to bed in the not so warm caravan, bliss. One month down 5 months to go.<br />I sat in the hairdressers today, i go every 7 weeks, so hopefully after 3 more hairdresser appointments I shall move back into house, wonder if the builders will mind? especially if they haven't finished.<br />So FIFTEEN well what can i say, just go it is fab, i love my food and so does my friend, who incidently got better to enjoy a lovely tasting lunch. Hopefully as a family we will go between Christmas and New Year and hope it remains the same.<br />First born coming home on Friday can't wait, wonder where the plates will disappear, she reckons she has changed - she would have had too I only packed one plate, one cup ete etc.<br />So the day is beautiful in my opinion, who knows about tormorrow.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-21618525803374674182008-10-26T14:17:00.003+00:002008-10-26T14:29:09.986+00:00What happened to the party animal?Well hubby an kids went off to France I had my GNI at mine and had a wonderful Friday night, everyone enjoyed the food and we had a real good laugh. We never have music playing which suprises me but it's just we all have so much to say and it's all lovely.<br />Saturday came and I changed the bed for my visitor and dashed around poo picking donkeys dropping winter horse rugs off to a friend and just made Newquay airport as friend arrived from the North, it was great to see her last time was April last year when she put me up when my Dad had died, so lovely to see her again as a little holiday. Great that no one else is here to think about. So whislte stop tour en route, quick drink change of outfit, off in taxi to Truro to see Boy George! Really lovely pre-theatre dinner at Indaba then off to see the good man himself. He was brilliant, he's put on a bit of weight but voice still brilliant sang a couple of covers Dire Straits and T Rex, great night taxi home and watched electric proms - with another little drink, all champagne by the way. Today set off for whislte stop tour got as far as Porth Leven, friend feeling queasy, must have been the sausages at breakfast, friend sat in car for 10 minutes still feeling queasy, eventually I said would you like to go home, yes said friend. So here we are back at the ranch. Whatever happened to my friend and are partying days, wonder what she would like for dinner, trouble is mention the food and she feels more queasy, hey ho hope she's better for fifteen tomorrow!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-85000836009866693542008-10-19T15:02:00.003+01:002008-10-19T15:23:48.912+01:00Plough onSitting in hubby's office - well he doesn't know he's cleaning car, I can enjoy use of computer and checking my emails, none of it very exciting but enjoying others blog reads. Whilst sat sitting here I can hear the noise of the local ploughing competition, we had thought about going but got the binoculars out instead! Pretty good view, i'd give the prize to the horse just for the heck of it. For anyone read previous blog, re farmhouse oven on Friday after further investigation and much prodding and pokeing, suddenly through the mist of the soot another clome oven has been found this one complete with door and handle and also the rail above which I presume held suspended kettles and pots not in use, fantastic, builders got very excited apart from the one that was removing the remaining toilet waste pipe which he thought had been rinsed out! He must be very well trained as he cleared up his pile of sick himself!<br /><br />So what wonders await? Not much I would think there is hardly anything left to see, apart from interior cob wall which was meant to be coming out, well I found husband stroking and hugging said wall and after Friday night discussions in the pub the wonderful builder is looking at how we can alter interior so we can preserve wall! Happy husband and me also I really wanted to maintain as many features as realisticly possible.<br /><br />On a different note it would have been my Dad's birthday today still think of him every day and I am sure I always will, also Hubby taking a friend and our two boys to northern France for d-day beaches and battlefield tours next weekend and into half term, second daughter off to stay with first born in Birmingham and - have you guessed? I am here but not alone, girls night in at mine followed by visit from up north from great friend and party animal, so off to see boy george and at some point visit to fifteen, never been so can offer opinion on blog once tried and tested, hope weather is good as sight-seeing would be nice and not possible in a mist.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-68990693136603093282008-10-09T09:09:00.002+01:002008-10-09T09:26:01.123+01:00A sneaky blog!Sneaky because him indoors has gone to town so whilst builders are building I thought I would do a quick post. The house has been totally ripped apart, all ceilings are gone and no fitting left I can't beleive we survived there for 18 months as time went on and the Rayburn died, we had no central heating and the two log burners were so sooted up that we couldn't get them to draw!<br />Well looking back it's no different than as a child we had no heating but we had hot water bottles and in a morning my Gran would turn on the oven and put our liberty bodices (no joke) to warm up in front of oven door! I can honestly say it never did me any harm, I think at the moment so many people are telling us how brave we are sleeping in a caravan - sorry that's not brave. We are not ill or living there because we have no home, we have chosen this route. I was certainly surprised to see so much damp, in the bedroom first born slept in (which was really a dairy downstairs) there was bitchaman on the walls, to try and prevent the damp coming through it didn't work.<br />The interesting things in the house are the cob walls which will remain and how plaster-boarded all the rooms were particularly the kitchen so they could put up wall cupboards. In the kitchen the builder has found a bread oven I think they call it a clome oven - not sure on spelling so we shall keep it and make a feature of it.<br />On a different note we had visitors yesterday who lived in Cheshire like us but he also left his business and moved to Cumbria with his lovely wife, they are having a weeks holiday in Cornwall and I have to say it was lovely to have a visit from genuine friends, hubby and him communicate every day and will always be friends, no point scoring just a great manly love it was lovely to see them laughing so much and enjoying each others company, have to say local pub let us down badly, why can't people cook properly when your paying for it? Anyway enough for now donkey poo awaits!! The weather is lovely we have been having misty mornings and lovely hot sunshine I love this time of year.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-87992040349995065982008-09-28T17:56:00.002+01:002008-09-28T18:11:34.083+01:00What happened to my internet connection?Really easy answer, hubby moved the hub into is new office along with the kitchen phone. Walls so damn thick I have lost signal. Don't worry says he, it's not like you used it for anything important! What said I - well you don't said he! So he has gone to watch Cornish Pirates and I nipped on his computer and signed in and away I go, He has now asked me exactly how long will it take to move us all out of the house? Where has this suddenly become my job? I think he thinks he is now in his office he can rule the world and become captain of industry again, well it's not that easy, the hardest thing is spending so much time together, in the previous life he was only around at weekends and that was spent watching eldest boy play football or going to watch Manchester City. Anyway enough of that, can't wait to see his face when I tell him he left the hose-pipe on from doing the chickens water this morning and it's blown the end off and water is everywhere! Why do I feel smug! Maybe because we had a small row before he went out and I don't want another on his return! Time to hit the bottle! Time to go and look like I have done something whilst he's been out apart from moving and packing books, hanging curtains in barn and caravan, washing floors, making spag bol and lemon meringue pie and washing and ironing school uniforms!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-36083208992284140892008-09-25T15:10:00.002+01:002008-09-25T15:24:26.738+01:00Scams, Scams and more ScamsWell it appears that not have I been caught scammed, but several other people have too. I have finally had a call back from Devon and Cornwall police saying there is nothing they can do if the crime happens ot of Wales and England. The fact that the scammers use an address in London may well be picked up by the metropolitan police, but aside from that......<br />I also for now feel extremely suspicious, which really is not my nature.<br />I feel even more foolish that 'don' left a message anonymously and I divulged some more information I had found by researching ebay - maybe they were genuine but maybe not.<br />When speaking to the police I suggested they spent time educating students at schools and colleges so as to make them aware you know the saying if something appears too good to be true it probably is, shouldn't I have been better educated I wouldn't of let first born buy said boots in first place!<br />According to police don't touch anything on ebay it's either fake, stolen or dodgy.<br />I have now packed up first borns bedroom ready for builders to start extension (her bedroom is off the kitchen), not quite sure what she took to uni as most stuff appears to be here!<br />Nearly got all the mildew out of the caravan (hubby and mine new sleeping quarters for six months), trouble is I rubbed so much wallpaper coming off Oops! Mildew spray on hands ( I sweat in gloves) i feel like i smell off a swimming pool - lovely.<br />Better start tea if I start now with my little cooker it may well be ready by 6 O'clock!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-22157156359684150532008-09-23T22:22:00.004+01:002008-09-23T22:42:08.043+01:00Naughty, Naughty people.Well I have spent some of last night and most of today sorting a mess, my kids save their money if they see something on ebay, we look at the pros and cons and along the way realise if it looks fake it is fake! If a good deal occurs they use my switch card and always give me the cash.<br /><br />I have two daughters they both love Ugg boots, I love Ugg slippers, cold in summer lovely and toastie in winter. Bought stuff in Florida last year bargins!<br />First born saw Ugg boots on ebay they didn't have her size but check out the web site!<br /><br />So lets have two pairs to get you through the winter months. I am stupid. Paypal only protects ebay purchases, we made a one off purchase not through ebay so no protection. £169.39 wasted.<br /><br />It appears through my Inspector Morse instincts I found the address in London was actually<br />The Euston Square Hotel London and an address in New York again hotel based.<br />THE WEB ADDRESS IS aaauggboots.com.<br />The boots are fake, the stitching is wrong, the label is wrong, the sheepskin lining is wrong, and finally the sizing is wrong.<br />They had details on web if any problems contact wihin 3 days for a full refund, I asked for full refund said sizing was wrong, guess what, send another $100.00 and keep boot, they will send correct size, shipping costs very dear cheaper this way.<br />Tell anyone to be careful not just this but any similar scams.<br />I have had to cancel switch card and suffered massive inconvenience, daughter horrified as she is now away and feels guilty.<br />So got that off the chest, tomorrows another day, nearly moved into caravan much more ugh! than first thought.<br />Onwards and upwards.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-83018266435344527112008-09-22T19:44:00.003+01:002008-09-22T20:13:43.005+01:00CoastingFeeling good, first born was feeling wobbly wanted to come home, that was Sunday 9.15 am now really enjoying herself. Met some other nice girls and all clubbing together to buy a microwave. So thank goodness, thinks are looking up. However, No2 daughter decides to spend two nights at a friends house in St. Ives, I'm sure it's her way of saying " well get use to this because I will be gone this time next year! So Hubby still away till tomorrow just me and the boys - and all they do is bicker! I thought they would enjoy the control of the TV but not so, ducks and chickens going to bed earlier so boys keen to help, as it's going dark they think they are staying up late good work mother, it means I can blog away. Mistake I made last night 2 glasses of red wine and decided to watch The Notebook, lovely film watched many times before but you know what it's like to find an excuse to blubber? Managed to wear Mascara today tears subsiding. So coasting through the days looking forward to the future and hope I manage to live a long and healthy life and enjoy the future. You never know I might take an hour or two , the book I am currently reading, a chair, a flask and head 3 miles down the road and sit on the beach, only living here a short time the sea and the beaches are always a novelty to me.<br />Or I could clean the caravan, remove curtains, wash windows, plug up any holes (don't want spiders creeping in) Install husband in his new office without him knowing puppy chewed belkin internet stick etc etc etc.<br />First day of Autumn today such a lovely day hope winter is crisp and sunny and not much rain - we can dream.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-75554757243471914612008-09-20T15:28:00.004+01:002008-09-20T15:46:53.370+01:00How do I feel ?Sorry not blogged for a while it's so easy to be lazy and spend my blogging time following black boxes and leaving messages, I feel I get in to deep. For someone who hasn't a clue I have tried to add black box, don't know how to add. Will not accept defeat, I WILL DO THIS.<br />Today I added a stat counter! It kind of sits at the bottom of the page - would like it neat and tidy at the side but....<br /><br />Anyway big day today fist born is travelling to Birmingham for freshers week, she is 20, old enough to go, but had to let go. Hubby taking her and spending a couple of days up north. All the childhood memories come flashing through and the middle two children and remembering all her favorite things and tv programmes, so I thought I would spend some time cleaning and emptying her room, she is the most easy going girl, kind generous, yes I wipe the tears as I post. How will I survive until 12th December when she comes home again...............<br /><br />VERY EASILY,<br /><br />20 dirty glasses<br />15 mouldy mugs<br />6 breakfast bowls - 1 containing mouldy shreddies<br />5 spoons<br /><br />6 bin bags of rubbish<br /><br />and everything she dooesn't need still left not packed.<br /><br />How do I feel ?<br /><br />Proud, pleased and missing her so very much already, I am her Mum and she can get away with all of the above because she is my daughter, my first born.<br />The sad thing is we are renovating a farmhouse and move into a caravan and a renovated barn,<br />so when she comes back she won't have a lovely clean room to come back to, but that's another post for another day.<br />Hope everyone enjoying weather, chilly in the wind but a lovely day.Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-45123514823449700052008-08-20T13:46:00.005+01:002008-08-20T14:08:03.387+01:00A very sunny day!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5EeHn_ZsVB6Xvh0CjCOstvPnnbhs8F9r_moSCI83pqmazC9AmiEFYzsLjp8R5plBTDI78jqHENJPT_rg62oZE4qgA0ZPbLK0c_Zla9Frmh7_O77AboT0fwtChpW-WEfRE28EasBRgmM/s1600-h/francesco+da+mosto.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236583370970395826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5EeHn_ZsVB6Xvh0CjCOstvPnnbhs8F9r_moSCI83pqmazC9AmiEFYzsLjp8R5plBTDI78jqHENJPT_rg62oZE4qgA0ZPbLK0c_Zla9Frmh7_O77AboT0fwtChpW-WEfRE28EasBRgmM/s200/francesco+da+mosto.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rumblings afoot that the weather may be improving as I write this post I find that very hard to beleive, suddenly from nowhere that awful drizzly mist appeared and once again my view has disappeared. I was going to post last night but I had a very traumatic experience whilst shopping in Truro yesterday, they had a book signing by the very magnificent Francesco Da Mosto - maybe not everybodies cup of tea but I certainly went up the escalator more than once just to look! Good job hubby puts up with my little quirks, some men may have got a bit jealous but not him maybe one day I post a photo of him. The builder wasn't impressed I forget to collect the tiles for the barn kitchen, went back to tile shop who "expected me much earlier" builder had rang him to say why I had been late! I took a bit of a ribbing - all good fun.</div><div> </div><div>More caravaners arrived yesterday out of the blue which is good as most people seem rained off, we also had a chap come by on a recommendation and booked his pitch for next year. Great stuff. Can't beleive children go back to school 2 weeks tomorrow what an awful summer we have had. At least being in Cornwall we can go to the beach after school if the weather is nice and we do that a lot. I hope the weather is nice as tomorrow is Fowey Regatta when the red arrows fly past we were hoping to go, off to the poly tunnel to pick toms and tidy up.</div>Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-26074843375597414842008-08-14T12:23:00.003+01:002008-08-14T12:28:20.509+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeHWS-p0cozksGsjLtiu9JZIbV5BOoV3qZHzUEflokWiTRyfxyYYTnuEH-BMacBPeqIhPFaHbK9Zf7fp-KloMQAvCY10RDFHAFLKhp8bTRmj9UmiKlJygyG19V5JVZToBGVZ1OHnTTR0/s1600-h/Photo-0276.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234333134683146946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeHWS-p0cozksGsjLtiu9JZIbV5BOoV3qZHzUEflokWiTRyfxyYYTnuEH-BMacBPeqIhPFaHbK9Zf7fp-KloMQAvCY10RDFHAFLKhp8bTRmj9UmiKlJygyG19V5JVZToBGVZ1OHnTTR0/s200/Photo-0276.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzxCa84G77SRp8kU98HeM8YBMrjMy_U_Z5xfTc43BXrijB9m3CUpY7XriQDnTWTsiVrEp9a7L1DYXx0OCdRK6unK4sYRkCe_W8QNG_XksCNgQYrujDXrwWYVi-nuUqUry20r8ZpVUZEk/s1600-h/Photo-0277.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234332905176803858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzxCa84G77SRp8kU98HeM8YBMrjMy_U_Z5xfTc43BXrijB9m3CUpY7XriQDnTWTsiVrEp9a7L1DYXx0OCdRK6unK4sYRkCe_W8QNG_XksCNgQYrujDXrwWYVi-nuUqUry20r8ZpVUZEk/s200/Photo-0277.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7490120513949276314.post-80678896591216166662008-08-14T11:47:00.004+01:002008-08-14T12:20:11.895+01:00Happy Birthday to me.Well 37 again! Maybe not! Hubby took me out for a lovely breakfast, it was last time we went but this time - not so good. We have found that a few times people setting themselves up in cafe or farmshops, receive funding from different agencies, do the bare minimum to get the money and then the standard drops. It is such a shame when that happens, some people go on the basis that people may go to eat once and if all fails they won't go again but money will have been spent and next year new holiday makers will try a coffee shop and if no good won't go again and so the pattern continues. Folk make enough money to live and don't see the point of making improvements. Maybe a year older has made me more synical! So today I can do what I like it's my day I received 3 wooden mushrooms to put near the pond really lovely, piccie once in situe.<br />Walking the donkeys this afternoon and later cooking Duck, my favorite, although not one of our own ducks - sounds bizarre couldn't eat one of mine.<br />Cake will be profiteroles, my favorite dessert. Funny really when it's some other member of the family birthday I cook their favorite meal and they choose a cake the only difference is I have to shop and cook for my birthday, well at least it's edible! Of course plenty of wine tonight.<br />And a very special day 20 year old has A level results and she is going to uni, really pleased for her, but boy will I miss her she hasn't been away from home before, redid her A levels when we moved to Cornwall so I have been lucky to have her around for a little longer than usual.<br />Nearly got the photo thing sorted so good day all round. Thank you Vera for having me!Frankies' Cornish Farmyard Ramblingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07599372193100810186noreply@blogger.com1