A strange morning

 I've not seen clouds like these before.  Thought they were worth a few photos.  There wasn't any wind blowing, at least not that I could see or feel.   I have no idea what caused this odd pattern.

The other strange thing about this morning is that shortly after I got up, my back started hurting.  I've had trouble on and off with my sciatica, but always before, I could figure out what I had done to trigger it.  (Moving furniture, too much gardening, pulling vacuum cleaner around, etc.) This time, I haven't a clue.  It rather messed up my plans for the weekend.  I was going to get out and trim off the rest of the dead stems on my plants and perhaps clean up the deck a bit.  Instead, I am sitting with a heating pad against my back, trying not to have to get up very often and moving very slooowly.  Typically, this problem will be over by tomorrow, but it's a real nuisance while it lasts.  I really would like to have a 30 year old body instead of this one that is 70 +!!  Anybody want to trade? 

Yesterday, our lunch bunch (3 of us) ate at a 'new' restaurant - Busboys and Poets.  It's located in Hyattsville, along route 1.  I had not been in that area in years.  Boy, has it changed!  There is a new 'art district' a few block further south and the whole area is undergoing renovation.  A number of lots are empty, but with evidence that something may soon be built.  There are some very interesting new apartment buildings on one side street.  There are several new restaurants and some old ones that are getting spiffed up.  Wells Fargo Bank has a huge new building on a corner.  All these improvement have been a long time coming.  It's good to see rejuvenation along a run-down major street.  The restaurant where we ate had really good food and the service was attentive, but it's one of those places with the ceilings open to the rafters, which means it's extremely noisy!  I wish this were not the style for restaurants.  It's not a place to try to have a conversation.  I probably will not go back, because of that.  It might be a good place to eat with noisy kids, so I'll keep it in mind for the next time Kate and family visit.

My busy week

I am the jewelry buyer for the hospital gift shop.  I volunteered for this job last spring when the shop got a new manager.  It's really fun!  I get to look at an incredible amount of pins, necklaces, scarfs, bracelets, rings, earrings and watches.  Then I chose items that are affordable and that I think will sell in the shop.  We try to keep our prices under $20, although sometimes necklace/earrings sets are priced a bit higher.  This week we had two buying opportunities - one at a discount place in Rockville and the other from a company whose rep brings samples to us.  The place in Rockville has a much wider selection, but it's a bit more expensive on some items.  I bought from both vendors.  After selecting jewelry for this spring and summer, I then have to put our price on each piece.  Finally, I rearrange the display cases to include some of the new items.  I can't do much of that on the days when I'm running the cash register, so I went in several times before the shop opened.  The only day I wasn't there this week was Tuesday.  It's almost as if I was actually working at a paying job!  Next week will be back to normal.

One of the things I did recently was explore whether I could get a lower rate on my mortgage.  This was an interesting experience, although not profitable.  I applied on-line and subsequently received a letter telling me that I was qualified for a 15-year mortgage and what the interest rate would be.  They did not mention other fees, so I was hoping those were wrapped into the amount of loan they mentioned.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  When I spoke on the phone with a rep, they quoted me a higher monthly payment, which included various fees.  This is the company that already holds my mortgage, so it seemed to me that they did not need to run a title search; pay taxes in advance; and do a couple of other things that are related to a NEW mortgage.  However, they say that is not the case and they have to do all the various paperwork and issue me a new mortgage.  Too bad.  I said 'no thanks'.  I have a rather small mortgage, so the interest isn't much of a burden, despite my rate being higher than what is now offered.  I think they are not really interested in refinancing a small mortgage.  They kept asking me if I didn't want to borrow extra money.  Oh well, at least now I know not to bother with refinancing.  Lesson learned.

I am taking a Raku pottery class again this winter.  It's rather expensive, so I only do this once or twice a year, rather than just continuing to take the class year round.  I don't have any photos from that class, as the first firing is still a week away.  "Watch this space" as they say.  There is more to come.

I also signed up for the 'Bain Senior Chorus'.  We start rehearsals next week.  I have no idea what kind of music we will be singing.  (At Christmas, it was mostly pop music and carols).  Our next concerts are in May.  Singing with this group is fun.  So far the music has not been very difficult, but it's interesting music.  A few years ago, I joined a large interdenominational choir that sang religious music.  The sound produced by about 100 voices was amazing, but the music was dreadful.  It was corny and simplistic - just not my kind of music.  I stayed for one concert, but that was all.   I sing in my church choir and really enjoy the music there, but it's not really enough, so I'm always looking for other singing groups.  Unfortunately, most of them meet at night.  I'm really tired at night, so I try not to get involved in evening activities.  I currently have two a week, sometimes three.  The Bain chorus meets day times, which is great for me.

Today our lunch group, which is very small this week, is trying a new (to me) restaurant in Hyattsville - Busboys and Poets.  One of our group has been there and recommended it.  She gave me directions, which I hope I can follow.  I used to know the area really well, as I worked near there, however I haven't been there much in the last 20 years.  Wish me luck finding the place!

more photos from the Christmas Fair in Hyde Park

 This snowman was a 'bouncy castle' inside.  It was really huge, although it's hard to tell from the photo.

 I'm not quite sure what this photo shows.  I think it might be the merry-go-round in the foreground.  Well, actually the Coke cup is in the foreground, but I wasn't counting that as an object of interest!

 Here's the big slide. 

 Swan boats, of course!

 This should be "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!"  However, I didn't see any lions.  Maybe they are hiding behind all the other stuff.








Below is the last booth, located just before we exited the fest grounds.  I thought the "Singing Chicken Show" would be interesting, but no one else wanted to see it!  LOL

More photos from England trip - The Christmas Fair

 Lots of jewelry here.  No, I did NOT buy any earrings!  At least not here....

 Cute kid, - not one of my grandkids - on the carousel.  Really interesting beasts for riding.

 Didn't see Santa at 'his' pub.  In England he's mostly called Father Christmas, anyway. Lots of other folks were enjoying the beverages.

I was surprised that the kids didn't want to go on this one.  They love roller coasters.

Don't know what this ride did, but it looked like it was more my speed. I want to stay on the ground and not spin around too fast!  When it comes to carnivals, I'm really a 'cheap date'.  I don't go on most of the rides.

back in the swing

It seems as if I jumped right back into all my activities here when I returned from England last week.  No rest for the busy, I guess.  Actually I enjoy all my activities and like being busy.  A few things have changed recently.  I gave up volunteering at the church library back in the fall, when I joined a senior choir at the Bain Center.  Singing with the group was great and I will continue with them.  The choir is on break just now, but will resume sometime in the spring.  The other major change in my schedule is that the pottery class I used to teach is not currently being held.  The rec center wants to have at least 6 students in the class and they only got 2 for the latest session.  So, I'm not teaching on Monday afternoons.  I really miss the women who were in that class.  Also, the money was nice - it wasn't a huge amount, just 'running around money' but ....  I don't want a job that ties me down and in today's economy, I haven't even considered looking.  Luckily my retirement is sufficient for my needs.  I signed up for a Raku class at Montpelier Arts Center.  I try to get in at least one of these sessions a year.  Raku firing is so different from regular kiln firing.  The pieces are very unique - I love them. 

 While I was in England, I took many photos  - mostly of the trip into London to see the lights.  I put a couple of pictures up on Facebook, but will post some here as well.  We had a very good day for that excursion - it was warm enough for us to NOT NEED COATS!  In addition to the store windows, we chanced upon a Christmas fair, so I have photos of the brightly decorated booths and rides.  With sunset coming so early in December (about 4 PM) we were able to wander around to view the street decorations and still catch a train home in time for dinner.

 The first photo is self-explanatory - Kate giving Alex a hair cut.  His hair was really long (for Alex) when I arrived, but I think he likes it shorter - just like his dad.

These other photos were taken at the Christmas Festival in Hyde Park.  The booths were highly decorated, as you can see.  We didn't buy anything and the kids didn't beg to go on rides, which surprised me.  We did get a bit to eat/drink.  Alex had cotton candy, Kate and I mulled wine.  I forget what the girls nibbled on.  Despite the crowds, it was fun just strolling around the festival.  We walked from there back into the shopping district to view Christmas displays.  I'll save those photos for another entry.

visit to Kate's

Arrived safely last week and have been fairly busy ever since.  There is always a lot going on here, probably because the kids have so many activities outside of school.  There is Scouts (Alex), Guides (Sarah and Olivia), swimming (Olivia and Alex), flute lessons (Olivia) and probably a couple I've forgotten.  Also it's almost the last day of school, so there is an assembly today at Green Lane (Alex ) with singing and suchlike.  I'll go over there to hear it.  Tomorrow is a half day for all the kids, so they will come home having eaten their fill of Christmas goodies.

And, speaking of goodies, we baked yesterday.  Kate's family blog has a photo of the goodies - 10 different kinds of cookies!  Most of the baking was done by Sarah and Olivia, with Kate supervising.  Alex helped a bit, decorating and suchlike.  I washed dishes - LOTS OF DISHES!  I did make one batch of peanut butter/chocolate squares - a no bake cookie.  After the baking, we went to an Christmas party down the street.  The hosts were a couple of guy whom Kate and Geoff didn't know very well, but they were really nice and Kate knew many of the other folks who were there.  I hadn't realized how many old folks live on this street.  At our end, there are mostly younger families (like Kate's), but almost everyone at the party was my age or older.  I guess the younger folks were busy with other activities.  I chatted with an older guy originally from Australia (he's lived in England for 50 years) and then with a woman who teaches at one of the local schools.  (Not the school where Kate is  working).  It was a nice drop-in sort of party, but that many people talking in a small space is hard on my ears. 

Saturday night we had dinner with a family whose daughter went to nursery school with Sarah.  Because Kate and Carolyn became friends, the families get together every year at Christmas and sometimes in between, despite the fact that Sarah and Amelia went to different primary schools.  Now that they are both in secondary school, they are together again.  Anyway, I've also gotten to know Carolyn and Brian, and very much enjoy seeing them when I'm here.  Their neighborhood is one of the few that REALLY DECORATE for the Holidays.  Even by American standards, that neighborhood is over the top in lights and animated displays.  We went out for a walk to see all the decorations which were spectacular as usual.  After dinner, we had a bit of music.  Kate, Olivia and I brought our flutes and clarinet (Sarah also plays clarinet) and Amelia play piano.  Geoff once played piano, so he had a turn plunking away on a couple of carols.  Carolyn just sings, so we did some Christmas carols with just instruments and some with various combinations, including voice.  Kate has a book of Christmas songs with three parts - for flute  and the same parts for clarinet.  We've been playing them with two flutes and one clarinet and having a great time at home. 

We haven't done much serious shopping, as Kate tries to avoid the malls in the weeks before Christmas.  However, I've been checking out all the charity shops (thrift stores) in two nearby communities.  Haven't bought much, but I like poking around to see what English people donate.  The clothing seems nicer that what one finds in the US thrifts, but I think it's just that the stores here are all small and are more selective about what they put out.  We did go to Wimbledon on Saturday because Kate and Alex were packing groceries at one of the stores - an activity to benefit the Boy Scouts.  The girls and I wandered around the street and 'Centre Court' (shopping center). The girls had Christmas money to spend, so they enjoyed the shopping.  The stores weren't nearly as crowded as I expected, except for one store that had about 20 people in line.  Sarah was buying something so she cued up and Olivia and I surveyed and purchased pastries at a kiosk in the mall.  Mmmm, good.

The weather here has been cold and a bit drizzly.  One morning it snowed (sort of ) on and off.  The snow was more like falling slush, coming down in big gobs, not flakes and melting as soon as it hit the ground.  It rained several evenings, so there are lots of puddles, making walking not very enjoyable.  I suppose there is a chance of snow for Christms, but it's not very likely.  Last year they had a lot of snow in December, but that is unusual for this part of England.  Alex is keeping track of Christmas - he tells us each day how many days are left.  I think he would say it's now FIVE!  (Or maybe six, depending on how you count it.  Not long, any way you look at it.

concerts

The Bain senior chorus sang twice recently.  First was on Sunday at HCC with one of the choruses at the college.  We sang in the Smith Theater, which has wonderful acoustics.  We really sounded good, I think.  The HCC chorus only sang with us for a couple of numbers, but it was great to have all those young voices joining us.   We sang again at Heartlands (assisted living place) yesterday.  The audience seemed to enjoy the music, although they would probably have enjoyed Christmas carols more.  We did sing one familiar Holiday song, but the others were not directly related to Christmas, except for a spoof song that starts:  I'm so baroque at Christmas.  It very funny, using tunes from the Messiah with amusing words about being broke at Christmas.

I'll pack this afternoon and be on my way tonight.  Can't wait to see the grandkids.