http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php Copyright 2010, Ray Chisholm Ray Chisholm en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.6.1 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100831-201614
It's been an unusual summer. We hadn't planned to have any children with us, but we succumbed and have had all of Dougie's boys, with a second visit from Marshall(Kenneth Williams reincarnated-the voice he has adopted for this visit).We'll see all three together when we drop off Marshall and spend tomorrow night in Carlisle.
No girls thus far, but given that they're to return to Lime House, we may well have a wee visit from them at their first half term. The tinier ones are too tiny to come yet, but we may manage to see them too-in their own home in Germany, before the whole clan returns to the UK at the beginning of next year.

The next few months will be a time to focus on family history, with our October visit to Lancashire confirming and hopefully offering further snippets about Joan's family. A visit or two to Edinburgh is a MUST for me over the next while to sample Register House first hand and perhaps answer one or two questions that have thus far managed to remain unanswered.
Our summer has been busy....the winter may well be its BUSIER self as we head towards the end of yet another year.
Phew...................!!!!!!


]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100831-201614 Ray Chisholm Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:16:14 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100831-201614 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100824-232010
Having raided our friends' dvd library, we're now multitasking as we do-laptops on knees, watching one of Billy Connelly's audiences. We haven't yet done our usual 'Still Game' or 'Sister Act'- but I daresay that'll come as the week moves on. It's great to have the boy or should I say 'Young man' with us. He's been coming for ten years and says that he'll STILL come for the NEXT ten years.I guess we must be doing something right when a youngster is happy to spend time with two old birds like us!]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100824-232010 Ray Chisholm Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:20:10 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100824-232010 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100823-102456 Rain is pouring from grey skies, so I won't be tempted to do anything outside other than take the boy for a quick walk or two between the heavier outbursts.
I may well be tempted to 'do' a bit of beading, but the opportunity to watch a few dvds may well be the preferred option and one that will make me sit and give my body a chance to recover, as I wait to hear news from down south.
I think I may well replay some of my 'Who do you think you are
?' series.

]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100823-102456 Ray Chisholm Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:24:56 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100823-102456 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100818-095538 This week schools all over Scotland return for a brand new session and eager-faced youngsters, clad in brand new uniforms, meet their new teachers to begin work for the coming year. I remember it well.
I particularly remember my very first primary one class at Mosshead Primary. I think I was more excited than each and every one of my thirty three children, who appeared clutching their mothers' hands as the bell rang and they lined up for the first time before coming into their new classroom. It took an age to get them all out of their blazers, find their own peg with their name on it, then find their seat at a small friendly group table. I recall a few tears-from both mothers and weans- and I recall George, who wasn't for coming in. He clung tightly to his mum's hands and tried to pull her back into the playground so that he could escape home.She was crying too, but sensibly allowed me to extract her son from his grip on her before disappearing outside to no doubt cry all the way home. In those days there was little or no nursery provision, so children had only had short visits to school in the term before their official 'start'. George came with me very reluctantly, and very quickly scuttled away under a table to sob for a little while. All 33 others looked on, tears beginning to well up in many other little eyes. I immediately gathered them around me in the story corner I'd built with comfy scattered cushions, clouds floating from the ceiling and a huge rainbow painted on the wall. I began with a song that I'd taught them on their June visit,and by the time we progressed to a story, George was right there with us, smiling happily.He was still smiling when his mum came to collect him at lunchtime,much to her relief.
I'll never forget the exhaustion and elation of those first few days and weeks settling a new class into a school environment. Every second of it was memorable and for me the most rewarding period of my teaching career.

]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100818-095538 Ray Chisholm Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:55:38 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100818-095538 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100817-185250
It's been a relatively good summer if you discount July, and light nights still offer evenings to get out and about in. It's been a 'busy' summer, with lots of family orientated activity. The months ahead will be dedicated to friends and family in different ways, as my passion for family history reinstates itself on my waking hours, and vies for position with the newest passion- 'beading'.
]]> Living in retired style http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100817-185250 Ray Chisholm Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:52:50 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100817-185250 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100810-134655
Despite having a cold and a bit of a throat, I'm feeling well enough to get on with some creative jewellery making through the night when peace reigns around us, and YES Nicholas came and WILL come again- a feat for us that was a long time in coming given that his brothers have been with us since they were four. He is a great wee lad, very bright, and FULL of energy-oh to have a measure of it!!!!

The sun is shining tempting my sunflowers to follow its warming rays, so I'm tempted to get out and potter a bit with my plants. If the threatening clouds bring rain, I'll just have to come in again and make some more beaded creations!]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100810-134655 Ray Chisholm Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:46:55 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100810-134655 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100801-093347
He was up at six and has already had breakfast, spent an hour or more on the computer(complete with new kids' browser) learned to sew on a bit of binka, and done a bit of sketching. He's back on the computer again on a new kids' website attempting to amass enough points to buy a virtual pet. Hopefully that'll keep him occupied until the shop opens at nine and he can use some of his pocket money and expend some energy taking Dougal for a run!! Mr Whiz he certainly is!
]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100801-093347 Ray Chisholm Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:33:47 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100801-093347 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100730-183342 We had originally planned to have a child-free summer, but there you go....the best laid schemes!!
Jo has been GREAT. He fished, made jewellery, helped us change the room round, build new chairs and endlessly walk Dougal off his paws. He has cooked and sat up late to watch films; visited our friends and kept his room tidy and embraced Xscape with dare-devil tenacity. He's a very easy lad to have around, who eats anything and everything that is put in front of him, and he's found his smile again this year.
We're going to miss him when he goes tomorrow, but will maybe have him up for another week later in the year, if we survive the next week!!!!]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100730-183342 Ray Chisholm Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:33:42 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100730-183342 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100727-082944 The bride, my cousin Moira, looked sensational as she walked down the aisle to meet her new husband Stuart, a lad some 18 inches taller than her, who will ensure that she never again has to stretch to reach a high cupboard!!
The reception was in the most elegant of surroundings, where we were treated to a delightful meal and entertainment afterwards. The photographer clicked but there were no speeches- at the request of both bride and groom, who decided to break with that particular tradition and guarantee a stress-free occasion for the male members of the top table.
The sun shone and champagne corks popped.Moira and Stuart had planned it to the letter and gave each and everyone of us a day to remember!

]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100727-082944 Ray Chisholm Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:29:44 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100727-082944 http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry100717-172619
Despite the changeable weather, we are not wearying. Time is passing busily as we venture through the long summer days of light. The cycle of grandchild visits is about to begin( even though we said we were having a rest this year) when Joseph arrives next week-end followed by Nicholas and last of all Marshall. Dougal is already looking forward to LONG walks, or even RUNS , as he tends to get when the boys are here. Hopefully the weather will be better and return to the warm days which we benefitted from in June. Whatever the weather the boys will bring their own particular BUZZ and we'll enjoy responding to them with a variety of activities. Maybe we'll become fitter??? And NO we won't do that by joining them running with Dougal. Lavender Ladies don't run!!!


]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/?entry=entry100717-172619 Ray Chisholm Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:26:19 GMT http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100717-172619