Sunday, February 27, 2011

Worse Things Happen at Sea..............


Hello, my dear Bloggeroos!

As promised, here is my tale of the water leak in my kitchen.

(Oh! How exciting!)

So, there I was, doing last minute checks before going on one of my much anticipated visits to see my son Phil, his missus Claire and my grandchildren, Hollie and Jayden.


So, my packing was done.

Windows checked.

Boiler turned off.

I went into the kitchen to empty the rubbish bin.

It was then I noticed a small puddle on the floor. I took a closer look.





It looked like there was a tiny drip from the middle of my water meter under the worktop.

"Well, flippin' 'eck!" I said to myself. (or something like that.)


It was the tiniest of drips, and I didn't want to miss my train.

I went upstairs and found the largest bath sheet I own, and dropped it on the floor beneath the drip.

"That'll do it."



How wrong could I be?

On my return a few days later, the leak had got worse.........







Well....no.......it wasn't quite that bad! But the carpet tiles were defying gravity and bobbed along on half an inch of water!


I rang the Water Company. Leaks on or before the meter are their responsibility.

Leaks after the meter are mine.

They promised to come within the next few hours.

I fetched a mop and bucket and relevant equipment.









After clearing up most of the water, I noticed that the leak was dripping from a joint to the side of the meter. (i.e. a joint that was my responsibility.)

My youngest son is plumber, but he lives 200 miles away!

I thought that I'd have a go at fixing it, and then ring the Water Company and cancel their visit.

I went to get my grips.................




Not KIRBY grips, a pair of these.....................








I put the grips on the joint and tried to turn it. Now, it's a well known fact that I'm a bit weak in the wrist. (I'm also a bit weak in the head too, but you knew that, right?)

Oh no, I couldn't turn it...........I'm gonna have to call a plumber.........that's gonna cost me money, ouch!







At that very moment, there was a knock at the door. The man from the Water Company had already arrived.

Some of you know that I have a few health problems.

Sometimes I need to use a walking stick.

I always try to remain positive and live as normal a life as I possibly can.

Normally, I would never use my illness as an excuse for not doing something I'm capable of, or to
use it to my advantage.

Until now.............

In a flash of inspiration, before opening the front door, I grabbed my stick.





I let the Water Man in and walked slowly, using my stick, through to the kitchen with him following me.

"I was just about to ring you," I said. "I'm not sure it is at that meter now I've cleaned up most of the water."

"Don't worry, Missus. I think I can see the problem." he said.

I used to be a bit of an actor.

I conjured up the best "sad old woman face" I could muster...........





"You'll have to bill me for this, right?" I asked with a quiver in my voice..........





"Don't worry, love," he said.

"It only took a couple of minutes. I won't charge you. The office don't know where the leak was." said the Water Man.

I can't believe I did that!



Still to come................................

More Celebrity lookalikes in my family.............

.............and here's a couple of sneak preview photo's from Mumsie and Daddio's 60th Wedding Anniversary Party.





Mum encouraging Auntie Moo to get with the beat!




Mum and Dad really enjoying themselves!

I'll be back soon..........

Take Care!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Frank Sinatra or Celebrity Lookalike????


Hello my dear Bloggeroos!

Well.......it's been chaos here at Dollytub Cottage over the last coupla weeks.

I had a wonderful time at our local Tax Office a few weeks ago............

No, really, don't laugh..............

It turns out - they owe ME some money.........

Yay!

Then I went up to stay with my youngest son and his family for a while............

I came back to a water leak in my kitchen, more about that in my next post.

So, Daddio continues to improve, and thanks you all for the good wishes.

I now have the photo's of Mum and Dad's 60th Wedding Anniversary Party, but there are loads, so you'll have to give me a bit of time to find some you might like.

Luckily for us, we have some very useful family members, and my eldest son, Alistair is a fantastic photographer. (He teaches it, in fact!)

Sorting through some pics on my computer, I began to realise that we seem to have more than our fair share of Celebrity Lookalikes in our family!

The pic at the top of my post is of my grandson, Jayden.

You've got to admit, he makes a great Frank Sinatra.....



**********


Here's a pic of my youngest son, Phil..............







or is it ....................





Luke Perry?



*************


My sister, Mandy...............






or is it....................




Joan Sims?


**************



Mandy's hubby, David.................






Could be mistaken for............





Victor Meldrew! (Although "I don't believe it" myself.)



*************


Here's brother Les.............





Not only is there a strong resemblance, but he is nearly as funny as..............



Barry Cryer, the comedy scriptwriter.


***********

My eldest grandaughter, Hollie...................




She would love to sing and dance like.......................




Shirley Temple!


**************


I've got a couple more lookalikes for you in my next post.

But, in the meantime.............I must check my kitchen floor to see if it's dried enough to put the flooring down.

Take care!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Ooooh! Celebrity Gossip..........



Where have I been?

You may well ask..............

But first.............

Thank you so much my dear Bloggeroos for your kind get well messages for my dear Daddio following his minor stroke.

He now thinks he's a celebrity!



First......he gets a full colour pic of himself in our local paper. (Giving a donation to the British Heart Foundation - the money was raised at Mum and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary.)

And now..........he's been told about the comments left for him on my blog.



DAD: Wow! What you mean the worldwide web really IS worldwide?

ME: Yes, Daddio.

DAD: So, there are people all over the world know about me?

ME: Yes, Daddio.



He now imagines that he'll be invited to take part in...............





Celebrity Big Brother.....................


or.........





I'm a Celebrity Get me Out of Here!



or, at the very least.................




Strictly Come Dancing................



Admittedly, he's a real whizz on the dancefloor............




Mum and Dad...................Dad with his "Girlfriend" Janet.

And.........as he has mentioned to us all on numerous occasions,
he's 8 months younger than Bruce Forsyth!




(He looks like Brucie too, without his specs!)


Daddio continues to make improvement.

He is flirting with the District Nurse and the Physio Lady, who see him at home.

The Physio Lady wanted to see how he managed outside and walked with him the 500 yards to the local shop.

He was so pleased to be seen by all in the neighbourhood walking along the main road with a young woman on his arm!

Mumsie was pleased with the twenty minutes peace!

************

My postings will be a bit hit and miss for a while.

I'm in the process of sorting out an income tax return............groan.

I'm also visiting my youngest son and his family.

My granddaughter is 5, so I'll be partying up there, too!

And, speaking of family..........

My other son managed to snap this piccy when everyone was in Lincoln for Mum and Dad's Party last month.




Four of their six great grandchildren!
(The first three are my grandkids, the fourth is my great nephew.)

************

Right, then...........

Back to the paperwork.........



See you all soooon!