70

 The date on my birth certificate states this month I reach my 70th year on this planet, I'm a Septuagenarian Bloody hell (sorry if you don't like swear words), I could not think of another way to make my thoughts vocal, how quickly this milestone has snuck up on me.

What to do when you are this age (note I did not say old), much the same as before. I'm sure all of you will agree with me as I say I feel no different in my mind, I do have a slower fatter body, which changes how I do some things (or not do many things), I'm still me, just with more memories, less items on my bucket list, not forgetting the ability to poke fun at myself.

    

I'm very blessed, we have a good family, siblings are well, most are older than me, our children have good lives, grandchildren are thriving. I have a warm home, food to eat a loving husband, too many people in this world can't say those few words. Health helps, being mobile and able certainly makes each day easier.

We are on a midweek break in London, my choice, hubby wanted to go somewhere hot and sunny, I didn't want to go near any airports, so we hopped on a National Express coach, read for just over two hours, staying at the same hotel near the south bank, very central.

Sunday we have a lunch time meal booked with daughter and children, last Sunday we went to see a Tribute band, ELO, which we loved, so a whole week of celebrations, I had already asked for no gifts, hubby paid to get my emerald ring strengthened, I had been told the stone settings were weak, I will be happy to wear it again, he also got tickets to see Adam Frost next year, he is my favourite gardener, something to look forward to. 

and for fun......

Show time

 I do love silk flowers, these poinsettias stems were purchased last year when I used them in a bigger pot to look like a plant, this year I have them out earlier, I got some silk honesty to break the solid red, I think they look better. This display gives colour to a dull corner, they will be moved in December as my tree is placed here. 

This is my glass cabinet, I made this display at the beginning of October, mainly pumpkins, I have decided it can stay longer, the tall vase has lights in, as does the glass mushroom and my hand painted mushroom, again light in a dull corner. 

I love this photo, daughter went to our favourite garden centre (without me) and snapped this photo, taken on 31st, so Molly had her costume on, she does love to dress up. George has a love for Crocs and wears them everywhere, again lovely colour. 

Sunday we went to our local venue to watch a show, I have always loves ELO from the very beginning back in 70's, both hubby and I loved everything about this show, they played and sung to match what we expected, there was enough humour in between songs, the laser light show was brilliant. We both agreed it's one of the best tribute bands we have seen. 

We are away, Lilly was not happy to go back to the cattery, she does not like to be inside, I think we need to rethink her care when we are next away, our previous cats always stayed at home, but they kept each other company, it's something we need to decide what's best for her. 

George had a very early birthday party, his best friend Dixie's birthday is close to his, sadly the venue they wanted was booked both weekend near their birthdays, they are in the same class so they knew everyone, plus all the siblings, it was a loud afternoon, we did not go. Dixie and her family are moving much closer to daughter, they will be able to walk to each others house, daughter does not normally allow George to houses on his own, but he has been to Dixies a few times. Children went back to school OK, daughter has a chance now to sort all their toys and pack up loads they don't play with anymore, she had a lazy Tuesday, the little ones had an inset day on Monday. 

November colours

 We walked through our local park, the leaves are carpeting under the trees and looking good, these are at the end of the park by a main road, and make a perfect backdrop.

The flower beds still have colours, this central bed always looks good, I do love the crown structure in the middle, perfect for plants to grow up. The bed in the bottom corner of the photo has roses blooming again, there is another identical bed, other than the roses are a different shade. 

I have always adored our tiny bandstand, the twin rose beds have a third shade of blooms, often you find young children on bikes or scooters going around on the path, there is a bench where I am standing, so adults can sit and watch them.

Back in our garden the acer is stunning, with the Virginia creeper over the fence this corner is very colourful, we are enjoying it as soon it will be bare.

Not as bright but still lovely is my olive tree, this is an evergreen. 

Finally our neighbours pyracantha, this is in the corner of their garden behind our garage, beautiful orange berry's, the top is almost bare, the pigeons have been feasting, along the fence is my red berry plant, much smaller, I hope eventually it will cover the whole back fence.

I have very little to do outside, both veg beds are full and growing strong, I don't cut back the flower beds until spring, I do have tulip bulbs to plant, all the other spring bulbs are in pots already. The flower plants in my greenhouse are doing well, I have seeds growing, some plants which I potted up as they were seedlings in the wrong place and a couple of huge plants I have split, some could be outside, but our clay soil in winter months gets water logged and things rot. I am collecting leaves for making mulch and both composters are full.

I am reading, I started two books by new authors, which I discarded, but as yet no crafting, I really want to knit, I have loads of 4ply wool (yarn), a pack of cotton yarn for toys, and some double knitting wool (yarn), plenty of patterns,  just no inspiration. I have been looking at cross stitch I have two unfinished designs. Will loves our red cushions, I have promised him I will make one for him, he chose the cushion with the badges, hubby ordered the one badge, I will make the stripes myself. 

Half term

 Mummy made Molly's bed longer, no longer a toddler bed, she had to change the furniture around, it's still a girly room. On Tuesday we all went to Dunelm and Molly chose a new quilt cover with unicorns on, she was very happy. Since September and starting school she has changed so much.

We had Will on a sleepover Tuesday night, he's not wanted to come for a while, we got him a new set of books, we gave him book one and two, he does love to read. We had fish and chips for tea, all treat for Will, and hot chocolate later, he stayed up to watch bake off with us, a later bedtime, its half term.

Mummy came with Molly and George on Wednesday, we stayed inside most of the day, after a late lunch hubby, mummy and Will went to Fort Nelson to see the Walking with Giants, now on show, these were created for the D Day landing celebrations. Will wore his combats, he loves everything military, and loved wondering around them at the lower levels. We had planned for all of us to go, it had rained all day, we knew there would be loads of puddles, so I elected to stay home with Molly and George, in hope we can book a spot before the end of the year, it is very popular.

Hubby made a red velvet cake, which is Will's favourite cake, he uses vegan cream cheese so Molly and George can eat some, this time he left just two layers, normally he makes four, this was better as too much of the filling becomes a bit sickly. The children had two slices each, his cakes never last too long. 

Molly had a sleepover on Wednesday, she was good as always, if slightly confused for her bedtime as the evening became dark much earlier, she sleeps in our room on a small bed, she snuffles whilst asleep, Lilly spent the night on her bed, Will now sleeps downstairs in our spare room again with Lilly for company. I took Molly home at lunchtime. I was back with the children just after teatime so mummy could have a meal with some school mums, so I did the bedtime routines, we have not had George this time, as mummy wants him to settle and be calm going back to school next week. 

We have seen loads of the children and daughter, sadly on one visit daughter came across a car on it's roof, the occupants were out and safe, but Molly saw it and has been asking loads of questions, daughter was shook up, it was just around the corner from where we live. I did drive Molly past the spot and we decided they got back into the car and drove home, because the daddy could fix the car, hopefully that will bring closure to Molly. 

The Traitors has been brilliant TV this series, I was worried because we knew so many people, normally we have no idea who anyone is, the end of the semi final has thrown up a good line of thought, Joe is on to them, and then I wonder about Nick, he said he would align himself with who he thought was traitors and he is very chummy with Joe, is there going to be a twist in the final. Alan has played a  brilliant game, only Joe noticed his behaviour at the last round table, his red face shone out. Also the final of Bake-off is next week, we don't watch much TV, but these two have both been entertaining.