Oscars!

As usual my first mission on the Monday morning after the Oscars is to find out the results. I haven't seen Avatar but I have seen The Hurt Locker and it is a VERY worthy winner. Great that it was a comparatively low budget compared to it's main opponent!

I'm always avidly interested in what the stars are wearing. Looking at all the main players here black didn't have a place this year in my opinion. My three favourite outfits are all pale neutral colours. No surprises with Kate Winslet (goddess like!) and Helen Mirren as I chose them both last year. Sandra Bullock looked the winner that she indeed was!

What a wonderful week it's been! After the bitter cold and almost constant rain/snow we've had for what feels like months, it's been a real treat to see the sun and blue skies. Easier to appreciate what a beautiful part of the world we live in. Residents in the town, however, are up in arms as a Lidl supermarket is being built which is proving to be an awful lot bigger than those people anticipated. So they've gone from having a wonderful view of rolling hills to a thumping great eyesore of a building!
No such problems out here although we do have an abbatoir just down the road. I've tried not to think about it but it's hard not to sometimes. Yesterday we took the dogs for a walk in the fields behind our house and I could hear animal noises coming from the abbatoir's direction. Not pleasant. Photo is of fields behind our house.

losing it

My 4th week at Slimming World, another two and a half pounds lost, so that's 8 1/2 lbs gone so far. Fairly slow but apparently it's healthier to lose this way. I would probably lose more if I could ignore the little voice that pipes up after attending the meeting....."a whole week to next weigh in, so treat yourself!". Went to Weymouth with Dave and found the nearest Starbucks and had a latte and a skinny ginger muffin. Yum!
Sunny but very chilly by the sea. Spent some time looking for a pair of dangly earrings. I've been wearing little studs for years...usually a small 'gem' to match what ever I'm wearing or my tiny little diamond studs. Big earrings are back though, allegedly. So I've been scouring the shops and the net for something I like. Funny thing is I don't really know what I want. I know what I don't want! No chandeliers, no gems, no beads, nothing fussy, something simple in silver. A case of "I'll know it when I see it!". And indeed that was the case, found the perfect place and found loads I liked, spoilt for choice in fact. Pic shows one of the pairs I bought along with my newly coloured red hair (love it!!).

settling into a new routine

Now that Dave is working, I'm trying to get myself into a routine. For the last 10 weeks since we've been here, we've led a rather lovely, relaxed life. Getting up mid morning, doing any required housework and then venturing into town for a latte or looking after the grandchildren or exploring pastures new and spending money! Now, I'm pretty much stuck here. Town is a couple of miles away but there's a handy bus I can catch if I don't want to walk it.
So I'm trying to establish some sort of timetable for what I do when. Housework is obviously a daily job. Making the bread is usually every three days or so. I'm planning on going out with Dave a couple of days a week as it's a good way to see the sights around here....Wales on Friday! This week I've been restricted a little as yesterday and today I've had meetings to attend at my new school. Really enjoyed going into school yesterday and meeting new people. Introduced myself to the Reception/Year 1 teacher and offered my voluntary services. Can't wait to get in there but my CRB check is still not through.
I still, even now, find it hard to believe that this is it. This is my life now. I'm still caught up in that mindset where you plan out what you're doing over a week....trying to get things done because it's back to work the following week. It's a very strange feeling and not something I've known since Tom was a baby (he's 27 in June!).

success

Got a job today.....yayyyy! Just a teeny weeny job with only a few hours per month but it's my way back into school. The head teacher is lovely and someone I know I can work with. I think I've made a good impression on her. I've met many headteachers in my time. Some positively emanate power and you almost feel like one of their pupils! Some, like this lovely lady, make you feel more like a friend.
I've made it clear that I intend to get actively involved with the school, offering voluntary help and going on their supply list.
My first meeting will be on Monday when I meet the current clerk and begin learning the ropes. I just hope I'm up to it!

two lovelies

Baked a delicious wholemeal loaf today. And bought from Waitrose the Springiest bunch of flowers you're ever likely to see....am trying to feast (my eyes) on the resplendent Ranuncula rather than the bread!

baftas

Loved the show last night, so much more refined and modest than the ostentatious Oscars!

Favourite wins: Carey Mulligan, best actress; Kristen Stewart, rising star; Up, best animated film.

Favourite frocks from left: Romola Garai in Erdem, Kristen Stewart in Chanel, Carey Mulligan in Vionnet and the oh so elegant Audrey Tautou in Lanvin.