As far as we can tell, Cornerstones [built 1972] started with a basic kitchen. In the 80's the owners replaced the units with better ones, with wooden doors. In around 2007, an extension was built, so the kitchen was slightly larger. Some of the old units went into the Futility Room,[without plinths. I can fix that, said Bob] and fairly cheap ones were put into the new kitchen. We bought the property in 2009. In 2018, we repainted the FR units, and added some wall cupboards [surplus to requirements when we moved from Kirby to Ferndown] It took us months, because we weren't living here then. But I was really pleased with the final results.
Last Friday he had an amazing burst of energy - having sorted out my table, he then set to with power tools modifying the old doors to make new drawer fronts. 
Norfolk is the driest county in England- but still has a lot of water - with seven main rivers[ Ant, Bure, Chet, Thurne, Waveney and Wensum] plus the lovely Norfolk Broads, and a very long coastline, from Kings Lynn and the Wash, all the way round to Yarmouth.
Said Bob. It was during the great pre-retirement downsize, I realised that one thing I did need at Cornerstones was a small table in the back bedroom. I had hoped it would be a worktable for my craft activities, and a place for visitors to put their stuff. That was why Bob mentioned his nice legs [!] and that he had a piece of wood, a short length of kitchen worktop retrieved from our neighbour's skip in Dorset when they had a refit. The legs were red metal [IKEA bargain basement, £5, years ago] and had remained in his stash, stuck together with parcel tape. He promptly screwed the legs to the wood and there was my table. It has been in use ever since. But he never actually finished it properly. I put a tablecloth on it when we had overnight guests.
Here it is, this time last year, stacked with food and jars during the kitchen refit. The top is grubby, it had sharp edges and corners, and the base of every leg [hidden in this shot] is a mess of half removed brown parcel tape. More recently my worklamp has been clamped to the edge, and the table has been covered with sewing projects.
I wandered lonely as a clod,
Just picking up old rags and bottles,
When onward on my way I plod,
I saw a host of axolotls;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
A sight to make a man’s blood freeze.
Some had handles, some were plain;
They came in blue, red pink, and green.
A few were orange in the main;
The damnedest sight I’ve ever seen.
The females gave a sprightly glance;
The male ones all wore knee-length pants.
Now oft, when on the couch I lie,
The doctor asks me what I see.
They flash upon my inward eye
And make me laugh in fiendish glee.
I find my solace then in bottles,
And I forget them axolotls.
[From ‘Mad Magazine’ 1958]
This poem is dedicated to nature-loving 10 year old Evie Hill from Leicester. Visiting Bridgend, Wales Evie and family were by the "Dipping Bridge" when she spotted something in the shadows. It was a Mexican Axolotl. Evie saw it had damage to its tail and stomach. She managed to catch it, and put it into a plastic tank.
...loves short'nin', short'nin'
I had carefully planned some activities for the 9 hours I was expecting to spend on trains over the weekend. "The best laid plans of mice, men [and enthusiastic grandmas] gang aft agley" said that Scottish guy [almost] Bob bought me a newspaper at the station, while I got a croissant - I'd got a flask of coffee in my bag.
.
And after this morning's school run, I shall get the train back to Norfolk
...it is a marathon
This cheerful kookaburra print bag is a few inches square when folded into itself, but opens up into a full size tote bag.
What perfect timing! I can discard the dodgy old one, and tuck the new one in my handbag for my Manchester trip today
If you read Sue's post yesterday, or Mary's, you will know there are some great poems out there celebrating April. I cannot agree with TS Eliot's assertion that April is 'the cruellest month'. For me, this past week - April 10th- 17th is one of joyful celebration and gratitude for so many good things in my life.
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2009 April 15th, Wednesday
54 years later, we took possession of Cornerstones - our wonderful bungalow in the heart of rural Norfolk
Retiring in Lockdown was difficult. I really felt for Bob who didn't get the razzamataz his college buddies did when they retired in 2019 or 2022. 
I took Bob a cup of tea, as it was 11am. He turned round from his computer and stared at me, raising one eyebrow quizzically "Why are you dressed like that?" . I was wearing a crop top bra and a pair of ancient capri-length lycra running shorts. I explained it was the winter/summer wardrobe swap. I try on everything. If something is too tight over these undergarments, then it goes. The thickness of the shorts guarantees I have 'breathing space' at the waist - and avoid anything too tight in hot, sticky weather. Three garments, all made around 2014 didn't make the cut. 
In the old days, my parents went into the shop, selected their purchase and handed over the cash. They could see the size. and weight , and quality. Now we order online, and pay with a card, and within a few days, the product we have chosen is delivered to our door. Or is it?
Then there are those people whose supermarket online orders come with very bizarre substitutions. "a birthday cake candle, number 5" being replaced by 2 and 3 [because 2+3 = 5!]
Was it of any use? Fortunately I have some evenweave fabric left over from the 2024 project with Kirsten. And lots of threads- all recently sorted, I can line them up with my DMC shade chart and sort out the exact threads I need. What might have been a disappointment has actually turned out to be an excellent Stash Buster. Thanks C.
Have you ever received a delivery which was not what you expected?
