House

Having looked at it on paper for long as a flat drawing it is sooooo exciting to see our new house go up and change every day. You seem to wait so long, filling out bits of paper waiting for those bits of paper to be approved, then all of a sudden you have foundations, walls, roof trusses and more to come. Now the roof is on (or, the trusses have been sheeted, got to get the correct terminology!) you really get a sense of the space, lots and lots of space, I didna really think it looked all that big, but everyone that comes along (male, they seem to be able to see it) says it's big, ok now I can see it, but it's not just a house, it does have a rather large garage (for me man to play with his Mini clubman) and there is a new Workshop for me (although I still refer to it as the Teddy Bear shed), so the main part of the house is not just all that big. I think I might see it better when the interior walls are up, then I will just have to decide how to fill the space, preferably with as little crap as possible. What a great opportunity to clear out all the crap and NOT drag it all to the Sooth End, I will be ruthless, might need Big Sis to help, she's good, although think she might need to do a bit of practising what she preaches.

The story so far, in pictures:

view from the dining/livingroom - view from the office window - trusses!

Up Helly Aa - men in chinos & Ugg boots?

After being rudely awakened at 4 this morning by the phones going haywire, then the sound of silence (power cut), I ventured into Lerwick first thing with very very flat hair, no power, no hairdryer (I don't do flat hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!) on the busiest day of the year, Up Helly Aa!! people everywhere and no where to park and all I wanted to do was post a box. When I finally did find a parking space and made it to the Street I was trapped, police at every exit, no way out, aaaarghhhhhhh, I did hear the shouts of the Yarl Squad, but by this time was so damp, cold and my hair getting flatter with each step I took, I got back to my car and went back home again, only to realise that the bloody power was still off, no heating, no lights, no radio, I read the paper until my feet went numb with the cold then did a lot of strange things I have been meaning to do for ages, sort out my handbag, etc.

Anyhow the power came back on about 2.30pm and I thought I'd check out the Up Helly Aa Yarl squad online, the Shetland News website had some great images, nice outfit, but look closer, is this the fashion version? Looks like chinos under the tunic and is that a pair of altered Ugg boots? see for yourself........ http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/news_01_2009/IMG_3752a.jpg

New Year, no sleep

OK, Happy New Year everyone, it's been a pretty good 2008 and here's looking forward to a pretty hectic 2009 (building a new house and all that!)

And as for the resolutions, well I kind of stopped that quite a few years ago, I think when you grow older (not that old) and are happy with yourself, what's the point? Although I did come up with one, I want to find a hair dye that will actually stay in my hair longer than 10 days? Any ideas? Apart from that I'm going with the same resolutions I was told by a VERY good friend earlier today, she said, 'I resolve to drink more bubbly and eat more takeaway's, because that's what makes me happy', I'm all for it. Although maybe not the drink more drink, after falling into bed for the last 2 weeks with a fuzzy red wine glow, I probably only managed to get 2 hours sleep last night (and the night before come to think of it), I blame late nights (watching a whole load of Sky+ recorded 2008 programmes), very late mornings/afternoon lie in's, and eating too much lovely rich food and chocolate, the healthy tangerines are only there to look festive, but ultimately grow white fur and end up with a really bad smell.

So here was me at 4.15 this morning trying desperately to get asleep, and what happens? my brain starts racing through the weirdest things, maybe I should decorate the bedroom before we move, I never did get that green wool I needed, the Hydro still haven't moved that pole off our site, and how did Scottish Water manage to cut a hole in a mains water pipe for us and charge a small fortune for doing so, how can they do that? and the list went on and on until an alarm clock went off and I thought I might as well get up and start a list of all the things I need to do.

If the same happens again tonight I will be up to get the Phenergan to knock me out.

Birthday, Christmas and all that's in between

I know, I'm not even going to mention it again, time goes so fast, I forgot, blah blah blah..... you know the drill.
So since the last time I had another birthday, as did many other people, we have had Christmas and are on track for New Year.
Actually had a lovely birthday, I cannot understand these people who dread their birthday, its a fact of life we all get older so why not look forward to it and enjoy!!!!!!! As 'me Man' was away (think it was the football?) I decided to have a girly day/night with the lasses and I would get a Chinese takeaway and we would watch something girly, but as it happens my lovely peerie lass had her own ideas and had organised for the the lasses to come over earlier and bring food, so they all arrived and we had a proper tea party with cake, leading onto the Bubbly and we were joined by a kitchenful of young male company (Daughter's friends) which ended up with Big Sis teaching those same young men how to open and pour bubbly properly! and all this going on with the Burra Regatta in full swing outside the front door!

The following months were a blur of bears!! with a few parties in between, one of those being a big Sis special, the theme being evening dress, as I don't really do dresses I decided to go as the Man, and borrowed a Knockaboot suit, and if I do say so myself looked quite the part, it was a bit hot though, maybe try and borrow a dress next time?
So a few more months of what felt like 'Groundhog day', get up, cut, sew or finish bears, go to bed, usually not on the same day I rose then start all over again, I kind of got into a routine and about 3 weeks before Christmas I got out the Chistmas cd I compiled last year and listened to it on repeat for the next 21 days, it helped....... I think!
And in between all this 'me Man' got a degree, after a long 8 year Open University slog he now has a BSc (Hons) Tech (open), he is delighted to be finished with it all and just in time for the start of our new house, got the planning permission and the building warrant through, ready to start in the Spring of 2009! so anyone looking for a 3 bedroom, very tastefully decorated and well kept house with a garage, basement and workshop in the middle of Hamnavoe, please get in touch.

So here we are, December 29th another year over and a new one just about to begin ( I think that's from a song?) planning to have dinner on New Years Eve with family 'up nort' and then a drive around to visit everyone on the way home.
Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a happy and Healthy New Year, xxx

p.s. if you look closely you can see santy in the tractor, who did his annual round through Burra on Christmas morning.

Edinburgh in July

OK, so I 'did' London with big Sis last year, and this year 'me Man' wanted to 'do' Edinburgh as he's travelled through there a few times with his work. Had to get a flight from Sumburgh in the middle of the night, well having to be at Sumburgh for 6.30am, means having to get up at 4.45am, and when you work from home, believe me, that IS the middle of the night!

The flight was actually OK, I think as I get older my fear of flying has faded, weird but good! or maybe I was still asleep?

We were in Edinburgh too early to check-in so we dropped our bags and went for a wander, had breakfast and got a really good coffee, when I was away earlier this year with big Sis in Aberdeen I tried my damnedest to get decent coffee but failed every time, I ended drinking tea and when that failed stuck to Bubbly, can't really go wrong!

So we wandered up to the Castle, not a good idea as Edinburgh is very steep wherever you go and I was still wearing high heeled boots, and it was hot and sticky.

Came back down the steep hill, and by this time it felt like teatime as we had been awake for 9 hours! so we stopped for Pizza & Beer.

Checked in at our hotel, The Glasshouse, lovely................ proper doorman, nice big room, nice big bathroom, lots of mirrors and lights (not like that one in Aberdeen me & big Sis stayed in), balcony etc. etc. etc.

Had a snooze then went out for a cocktail and then onto Bar Roma for a gorgeous meal.

The next few days we did the tourist thing, took an open top bus tour, visited the zoo (saw a momma jagwaar but no Dora or Diego!), saw the Scottish Parliament (?), went to Our Dynamic Earth and did an underground tour of old Edinburgh, bought a pair of Levis & a North Face Jacket. I am officially OLD, I know but I actually enjoyed it.

We did have some lovely meals, went to David Bann vegetarian restaurant and Restaurant Martin Wishart, now that was something else, it was like having a tour of food, probably the most expensive meal I have every had, but it was good!

The last day we went to Stockbridge and visited Sheila Fleet's new shop, bought a bottle of Port from Raeburn Fine Wines (recommended by the Sommelier @ Martin Wishart's) and also bought some smelly cheese from Ian Mellis Cheesemonger. We had to have a drink at the Oxford Bar (something to do with Iain Rankin & Rebus), it was like the Thule used to be and how it still should be. Who knows what the next city break will be, I've done London, Venice and now Edinburgh.

Going to bed with Jeremy Clarkson

OK, ok, not the real one (think he smokes!) but the paperback variety. I love watching Top Gear, it's not a girly programme but there is just something about it. So I was all set to buy the two books of Mr Clakson's columns from the Sunday Times, when big Sis mentioned she had just finished 'going to bed with Jeremy Clarkson' so I could borrow them, and they are worth it, I have to stop myself from laughing out loud and wakening up 'me Man'.

I fully intend to make them last as long as possible so I ration myself to a few chapter's a night.

You can read Jeremy's column online at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/

You could also buy the books The World According to Clarkson volumes 1 and 2, and you to could find the delight in 'going to bed with Jeremy Clarkson', go on , try it, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Putting stuff on Ebay

Me and big Sis spent Sunday 'putting stuff on Ebay', she's done it before, I hadn't and to tell the truth I don't know if I ever will again, bloody hell, I thought it would be easy. We started early on Sunday morning, got everything photographed, which was fine, didn't take much time, although I did take the weirdest photos of my boots. Don't, whatever you do take photos of boots, when they are on your legs, when you are holding the camera because the angle makes it look like you have the biggest legs in the world ever!

Anyhow, we did all the photos then went to the computer to 'put stuff on Ebay', and found out the photos wouldn't download. After a very frustrating hour or so trying to get the photos off the camera, I gave up and went over to Peerie Sis's house and she got them off and onto a disc and we managed to 'put stuff on Ebay', but god it's a long slow process, trying to think up GREAT things to say about a cheap polyester trouser suit (actually that was one of the first things to sell).

So after about 25 hours, we did it, well we did mine, still have to do Sis's stuff.

And now I am embroiled in the seedy underworld of Ebay and getting emails from strange people asking me to send photos of my sandals, but with my feet in them! mmmm, I don't think so!!!

Hey what am I complaining about, already sold 2 items. If they want, what I don't, who am I to argue!

Long live 'Putting Stuff on Ebay!'

Future Chef

Me lass has been in the Semi Final of the Future Chef competition in Inverness, I went down with her and Mrs Dobson, her cookery teacher. It was at Inverness College, we went down the day before did a little light??!?! shopping and then had a lovely Meal at The Kitchen restaurant. The competition was the next day with an early start, everything went great, well except for the gas cookers breaking down about 3 times, but she did great and got a 3rd place against some very stiff competition, she was delighted and she got a set of Chef's whites and a set of rather serious looking Chef's knives, I actually didn't think BA would let us take them back on the plane, but they made it back to Shetland after a VERY bumpy flight, knew I should have taken the Valium tablets!

We have been Resumed!

Yeah! we found out recently that we have our bit of land at Da Sooth End, it's all been resumed or decrofted or whatever it is they had to do. So it's all go for the new hoose, and it didn't take too long for the land to go through, plans are in aside Da Cooncil, and we just have to wait now. But we can go and put up a fence, and I was thinking I might start planting cuttings on the site, but somewhere that won't get in the way of the digging, when it all starts. And we get a view like this! Fantastic!

Now I have to start the terrible job of deciding on kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, handles etc etc etc, its a dirty job, but someone's got to do it!

Another New Year

I think my New Years Resolution should have been to stop saying I am going to update my Blog on time, because, well I just can't seem to do that, along with saying I will do my accounts once a month, because that doesn't happen either, more like once a year, because I have to! to stop the B*****d Taxman taking even more money from me than he does already, god I hate January, oh look that's ok because it's already February!

Anyhow, New Year went great, we spent it with Little Sis and family on a perfect December night, it actually was, absolutely no wind, we stood out on her balcony with candles burning and took in the New Year to the sound and sight of fireworks over the voe, yes candles burning, and no I am not joking! We then visited Big Sis and got home about 4am, I was driving so had a little celebration drink when I got home, and sat up till 6am yappin. Also had a lovely New Years Day dinner back at Little Sis's house.

So far this year I have Spring cleaned (yes I know it's early, but you have to do these things as the mood take's you or it never get done)my wardrobe and the kitchen cupboard, yes that one, the one in the kitchen that has everything, plates, bowls, cups, pans and an amazing array of unnecessary plastic objects which have gathered over the years! Why do we have to own so many plastic tubs? Thank da loard that Tupperware is no more (or did I get that wrong?), well I suppose at least when it was Tupperware it lasted, unlike the cheapo versions, which melt and warp in the heat of the dishwasher (yeah OK your bored now!, stop with the housey talk!).

2008? where did 2007 go?

I mean it, where did 2007 go? last post was May and this is New Years Eve, yes I know sad, sitting blogging on the last day of the year but I have to, it's kind of like when you are about to go on holiday and you have to get everything done before you go, so I have to pack in the last 7 months before midnight, plus I am driving tonight so it will take my mind off the fact that I can't have a drink until NEXT YEAR!!!

Review of the Summer (like they do in the papers!!)
Well, since starting the Peerie Burra Bears it's been mad, they have taken over from the big one's, so it's great they are popular. Bears in general have been going well, with a few new outlets, Scottish Parliament Shop, new outlet at Edinburgh Airport and of course the new Museum and Archives got their own exclusive range with Fair Isle pieces inspired by the collection's on show.

Maggie, wir peerie Border Terrier is a proper terrier so I decided to take her to dog classes, what a bloody nightmare, she was the worst dog, just wanted to kill every other dog (all of whom were far bigger than her!), and the barking, it was embarrassing, even the man who ran the classes had bother with her, I did persevere for a few weeks but then swapped my Sunday afternoon trip to the Tingwall Greenhouses for a proper Sunday denner and a nice bottle of red wine!! much less stress especially seeing as 'me Man' has taken over the Sunday denner cooking - RESULT!

The House saga continues, were planning to build at Houss at da Sooth End, absolutely gorgeous spot overlooking Papil, just a hassle trying to buy the bit of land, although I think we are nearly there with a huge helping hand from Betty 'wir cooncillor', I know for a fact that if it wasn't for her we would still be where we were 8 months ago - THANKS BETTY!!!

The house plans are also coming along nicely, well that's from our point of view, Planning Dept thinks differently, but I guess that's what they are there for, so we'll leave that one for next year?

'Me Man', his dad and wir nephew climbed up Ben Nevis, with a peerie Burra Bear in tow, he phoned me from the top, ah modern technology! he also changed his job (again), going back to an office based job and swapping the boiler suit for a North Face jacket, this time there was no going back as it's permanent!

I did Flavour of Shetland event on Victoria Pier, it went well, looks like it may not take place next year, cooncil spending too much money on it, nothing new there then! it will be shame though, it's hard work but great fun, Minty helped out so it was lightsome. Big Sis even managed to nab Chico the Clown to come to hers on the Sunday night and do a magic show for her birthday.

Me lass, got a job and won the local heat of Futurechef (Inverness in January 08 for next round).

Me and Big Sis went to London to see Norah Jones, god I do love her music but holy heck, it was like torture being at the concert, I honestly nearly fell asleep, it was a mad dash to get there as we'd been shopping, and then we had to wait about 3 hours before she actually came on in The Hammersmith Apollo, which was actually a slightly bigger version of the North Star in Lerwick. They kept coming with more and more different guitars for her to play, to end up with I was nearly greetin, the only saving grace of the whole concert was the man who played at the beginning, M.Ward, he was amazing!! Actually the best bit of the whole night was eating Chinese food after midnight in the middle of London!

We actually had a really good time in London, although Big Sis thought I didn't enjoy it! I just wasn't taken in with all the sights, it just seemed really peerie, and as for the Palace, well all you could see was Japanese Tourists, horses backsides (that would be the police horses). Things I did enjoy - the big hotel room we got, breakfast at the Wolsley & Fortnum & Mason (although I swear the Kiwi fruit tasted like onions!), Madame Tussuad's, lunch at Carluccios, copious quantities of Supermarket Cava (which was situated next door to our Hotel), in our hotel room with Harrods sandwiches, mmmmm, and the best was getting dressed up and drinking Champagne at the Ritz, it was perfect!

And the worst was the next day, when I was feeling pretty rough, getting to the airport late, missing our flight. Although we did have an angel watching over us as we managed to get on a later flight thanks to a really lovely lady behind the BA desk.

Clickimin Craft Fair went well, we were ultra organised as a committee, and everything ran smoothly, even thinking about having something similar in the Summertime.

So, to sum it all up, had a pretty mad busy year, ate lots of takeaways, spent the last 7 months in my shed working (me lass threatened to get me a bed to put out there!), had a weird night singing Karaoke in the Marlex, was part of the 100 Shetland Women exhibition at Bonhoga, had a really good meal somewhere other than Montys? the Queens Hotel restaurant, but the one thing that still confuses me is the Berlingo? why?

Happy New Year! xx

Bears, bears everywhere

Ok, so where did March and April go? this is 1st May and I have kind of lost the last 8 weeks, I think it may have had something to do with the fact that we launched a new Burra Bear, the 'peerie' Burra Bear and it has been mad trying to keep up with the orders since. I thought it was about time we had a new bear as it was 10 years since the very first Burra Bear was made, we did launch the 'peerie oolet' last year, but this is the next big thing, as so many folk have been asking for a peerie version for so long now.

Lots of orders to catch up on this week, and keeping the shops stocked as it is Folk Festival weekend, so lots of visitors around. Guess that means no drams for me this weekend, just lots and lots of woolly bears to make.

Burra Bears holiday

I forgot to mention, in January I visited the Whiteness School to present them with Jeemsie the Burra Bear. Jeemsie was chosen to take part in the Island Bear City Bear project, the Whiteness School had teemed up with a School in Glasgow, they both swop a bear and the bear stays with them for a few months, each child in the class takes the bear home with them and they visit different places in their own town or city. This gives the children a taste of life in different places, and educates them through the bear. The whole visit is detailed on the website, www.bearsholiday.edublogs.org , have a look at how Jeemsie the Burra Bear is getting on in Glasgow and how Mungo the Glasgow Bear is getting on in Shetland.

Elsi Arrub appears

Andrew Halcrow's yacht, Elsi Arrub has appeared, off Australia, it is still in one piece, which is great news. I met Andrew's sister Marilyn yesterday and she said they had the boat under tow, so peerie 'Andrew o Fuglaness' will soon be on dry land and my what stories that Burra Bear will have to tell, his adventures on board as sole captain for all those months, he will be a very important Burra Bear, and will hopefully raise plenty money for the CATS appeal on his return.

Poopy bags

Being the owner of 2 little dogs, Sparky a very wonderful long legged, long wire haired Jack Russell and Peerie Maggie, a determined but cute Border Terrier, I am very aware of what comes out of their back ends! I always make sure I take Poopy bags out with me when I go for a walk and insist me Man and me Lass do the same (every jacket pocket in our house contains one!). I am always horrified when out walking to see other dog's mess which has been left on the pavement, road, grass by the irresponsible owners, really how difficult is it pick it up? Anyone owning a dog should be made to pick it up, and I am glad they now fine folk for not doing this, just wish the Council folk who enforce this would come out here and catch them at it! Anyone walking a dog whether it belongs to them or someone else really should be aware of the mess they leave behind. I am particularly annoyed about this as Peerie Maggie has the most disgusting habit of eating other dogs mess, it is absolutely gross, Sparky used to do this when he was small but it was usually sheep's mess (and that's another thing, but don't get me started!), which somehow didn't seem so bad, or maybe I just got used to it lying all over the place.
The SIC even give away Poopy bags for free from their department at Grantfield, so there really is no excuse!
But it all comes down to the usual thing, people need to be educated, and if what I saw the other day is anything to go by there's not much hope! Sitting in my shed sewing bears I looked out the window to see a young mother with baby in buggy, stop on her way up the road, take a drink out of a plastic juice bottle and proceed to throw it over the railing and into the sea (or onto the pier, not sure which), so, what hope is there for the children when the parents are doing this?

Doing my bit

I am doing my bit for the environment, well I have always recycled bottles (regular trips to the bottle bank, with beer and wine empties), and have tried to re-use anything I can, then last week on Radio Shetland I heard of a new scheme to recycle plastic and newspaper. The Council is to deliver purple and clear bags along with the black sacks, purple for plastic and clear for newspaper, but only in the Lerwick and Scalloway areas. They did say that anyone outside these areas who wanted to use the bags could fill them and deliver them to the Recylcing Centre, so I went there on Saturday and spoke to an awful fine man, who handed over the bags and proceeded to tell me that the paper was shredded and offered for animal bedding, and the plastic would be sent to China and re-made into garden furniture.

You really should go up there for a look, it's very organised (they even have different lanes on the road!), and you can drop off your recycling, it's great! I was a bit surprised when I asked for the bags and the man said he hadn't been told that they had advertised it yet, and that no one else had been up to ask for bags! Come on everybody do your bit too! We all go into Toon at least one day a week and if you have a car make that extra trip out to the Recycling Centre (follow the main road past Hughson Bros, and it's the 2nd junction on the left, failing that follow the smell (it wasn' too bad really). Makes you feel good!!

French bears

The French Bears have arrived! John phoned this morning to say they had just arrived and only just over 4 weeks after posting? Maybe they went walkabout to America and back, It usually only takes 7 days to get there by post! I seriously think they may have been searching for their long lost brother who is sailing the high sea's alone on the Elsi Arrub. Anyhow, better late than never.

Had a lovely Friday night, me and big Sis did Give us a Tune on Radio Shetland (you can listen again if you go to the Radio Scotland Website), we had fun and all without any drams. Just hoping I didn't offend anyone, and it is still to be confirmed whether Paul Daniels lives in Wast Sanick in Yell? Here's to next time.

New Year already

And didn't it go by fast, or is that just the fact that I am getting older and everything goes faster!

We had a lovely New Years Day, after spending New Years Eve driving and visiting family on the West Side. January 1st saw us heading back to the West Side to peerie Sister's house for dinner, we all cooked something, me Man got up early and cooked a beef roast while I went to Lerwick to the only shop open (Boots the chemist) to get medicine for peerie Sister's peerie lass, she ended up with the Chicken Pox, but was very proud, showing off her spots!

We arrived to a champagne table with party poppers, hats, masks (peerie Sis likes parties, preferably bairns parties, but that can be adapted for Big Eens too!), and we had a massive dinner of prawns, beef, chicken, lamb, duck, tatties of every kind, veg and a mountain of peerie sausages cosied up in bacon, then another mountain of puddings, and all washed down with quite a few glasses of Bubbly and Red wine, just perfect!
We washed up the dishes to Meatloaf, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, ahhh the songs of our youth. What more could you ask for to start the New Year!!

me, Josh Ritter and a white roast beef sandwich

I had the most perfect night last night, I had the TV to myself as me man had gone to bed early so I settled down with my Josh Ritter live concert DVD, and watched it with a white roast beef and mayo sandwich, a pot of tea and a few Roses chocolates, absolutely perfect (this was all consumed after I had finished the bottle of Pop I opened earlier).
I bought the CD/DVD earlier this month from Road Records online, it's was the only place it was available from and it is simply the best, after seeing him live at Busta House Hotel I had to have it. It's 'Josh Ritter - In the Dark, live at Vicar Street.

even more........

Since Christmas Day, every other day seems the same, up late, eat more food, chocolate, maybe time a for another peerie dram, oh bedtime already. But in between all this we did do some sense! had a few long dog walks as the weather has been fantastic, up untill yesterday when it came a force 10 gale, the one day I was going somewhere, and on a bloody ferry!!!
Big Sis phoned to say all the lasses were going up to Yell to visit the Auntie's and would I like to come, so we headed off for the 12 ferry, and even though the sea was rough, you would hardly have know you were on the ferry. We went along Auntie Winnie in Mid Yell and she had made a lovely lunch of home-made tattie soup, mutton and her own home-made bannocks (perfect!!) and then a big Strawbery Gateaux. We sat a while and then went to Burravoe to see Auntie May and had more bannocks and ham with her lovely home-made fancies (mmmmmmm). They were making ready for the Tar Barrell, and annual event which has been held for many years, they tow a burning barrell through Burravoe to help summon the early arrival of the Sun, think it was originally an old Norse thing, used to do it in Lerwick but they burnt someone's door and then they started with Up Helly Aa, maybe they should have stuck to the Tar Barrell, it would have been a lot easier.
Anyway, we headed back home to very rough trip back over the Sound, big waves!!!!!!
We were treated to a light show at Voxter - is this the most decorated house in Shetland? (sorry about the quality but we were moving when I took the photo)

I came home opened a bottle of Pop and settled down for another night in front of the telly, lovely.