GO APE

Aland Islands, Aruba, Venezuela, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain, United States, Italy, Canada and Germany are the top ten countries viewing today. Gosh, can you believe we have 155,000 views in total? I wonder if we will get to the big one six O by the end of the year? My prediction says we will just miss that number, unless I can write something that people will want to share with their friends and families. My lovely Blogget Donna shared some of my chocolate poems bless her and we received a bumper load of viewers from America that week. The end of the month’s stats make a new read. Saying goodbye to a couple of countries who have been in the top ten since the start of my blog page, but welcoming two new countries into the top ten. I will print the results at the end of the month.

 

Well, today Hub went to church to play piano bless him I hoped he would be alright as he suffers badly from Trigeminal Neuralgia.

 And yesterday waiting for the bus to come home, it was so cold that always makes him worse along with stress. When I first met him, gosh it was awful. I had to call the ambulance one night and he used to pass out with the pain. He was on so many pills an potions. Thank goodness after a few months, he stopped stressing about life, he was happier and things calmed down. He isn’t on any potions now, apart from normal pain killers, but some days he can’t move his face down one side. He is in so much pain he can’t think straight.

 

I had to stay in as our joiner was due, also a huge sheet we were waiting for to cover our piano  when we get our ceiling fixed. We wanted a piano cover. Gosh £150 I don’t think so, not yet any way so we just bought a super king size sheet and told the guy to bring a sheet too, but we will put our clean one on first. Oh, I’m truly dreading this work done. It’s mega. And I’m trying to get a hold of our painter, as we know he is good and he isn’t returning my texts so I think I am going to have to phone him. I joke he is the painter I have written about before who has few teeth and the few he has are black. He has his car doors kicked in and one time he came his driver’s side window was out. Smile. But he is a great worker a good guy too. I can trust him. Hope he isn’t in rehab?

 

My joiner is a true find. He is going to fit a couple of internal doors for us. Our blooming doors lead by Waggatail can be opened with ease and the dogs are put to bed at nights and as soon as they think the coast is clear and we are tucked nicely into bed, we hear the door being pushed open and they go into the living room. Waggs climbs on the sofa too which is so annoying as I have a beautiful new cream round cushion and it will be covered in black hair. And it’s the kind you can’t wash.

 

I have glass doors now they are so old and really need painting now but by the time I pay for that to be done, fixed and painted, I can get new doors and he is so good he even is attempting to seal my shower so it doesn’t leak again. And, at last he is going to hang my beautiful painting. Oh I forgot I have a curtain rail to do as well. Teen said he would do that, so I will see if he will as it needs to be solid, not sure if Teen can do the solid thing.

 

We decided in the end not to go through our insurance because it was going to cost so much more and they wouldn’t do the shower room for that quote, only the ceiling. So, we got a plasterer who is the Son of a friend of Hubs. I hope to goodness he will be Okay, he asked me to remove all of my furniture from my room. Em, where? How? The piano takes three men to move it. As for the sofa’s and all of the electric stuff that is making Hub ill the thought of that. He has so much wiring in the lounge I think we have about twelve plugs and so much with regards to our television. Sound bar, speakers and the box that gives us audio. Oh and then there is the internet wiring I am surprised why on earth does he want all the electrics out that are on units or the floor when he is doing the ceiling?

 

He has said that there will be one heck of a mess. I have to take my pictures down. I have. Let me think? Fifteen to take down, then there is the putting them back? Oh my, trying to get them all the right way, all straight way and finding the nails? One is my huge tiger painting. The frame is enormous thick and really heavy. As for my goodness knows how many elephants, fairies, angels, Pegasus and Beatrix Potter characters as well as all of my bear ornaments and blue and white china? Hahaha. Oh, heck, where to put them and to get them all put back in order as I am so OCD about them all matching and being in the right order in height… I know where my Son gets his OCD from.

 

Talking of my Son, he is off to climb trees and swing like a monkey. Goodness knows how much that has cost but it’s something he hasn’t done before and I hope he will enjoy it though it will be so cold as it’s really icy today. They swing on tree’s, go over rope bridges and go down zip slides through the forest. It sounds great.

 

Our dogs had their free run today and this morning when Hub went to church, guess what his clever lad did? Walked right in the church, and straight to the piano up the steps onto the stage. Gosh, he is a wonderful dog. My Wagga can’t guide once she is in church as she is too happy to meet and greet. She is over friendly and loves the attention she gets. Our friend Geordie came back with Hub, she brought me a wonderful item I asked her to get me. Her house the other day had the most amazing smell. It was a plug-in air freshener called Glade and the oil was clean linen. Gosh it smells wonderful. So, bless her cotton, or should that be linen socks, she brought me a plug in today and two refills. I have so many plugs around the house of air fresheners and it’s a nightmare as you can for example buy a plug with the same name but turns out a different shape and you can never get the same fragrance again last time I bought the same make and it read on my grocery list, air freshener and it came to plug in my wall. It was a blooming can. See if I could see the picture, I would see it was a can, but I can’t and it reads the same as it would for a plug in or a free standing freshener.

 

Okay, on that fragrant note, smile, I will go for now. I hope you have a lovely Sunday. X

NIGHT MUST FALL BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Teen left early today to get a haircut with his best pal. Hair? What hair? Seriously, he only got it cut two weeks ago. I hate this so-called fashion whereby they have hardly any hair on the back. He has beautiful hair, that is if his hair remembers ever what it looked like? He has it thicker at the front and top, I wonder if he got a picture of himself from the back, what he would think? It’s like a bald man with the hair missing from the back rather than the top. People should be grateful they have hair…

 

Anyway, bless him I hope he has a nice time, I love his friend, he is a good lad, he is the pal who tragically lost his Mum to cancer earlier in the year. My heart aches for that little family, but thankfully, the lad has a good family and they are close, but still this will be his first Christmas without his Mum and his Dad without his wife. Awful.

 

Well, the temperature outside was 2 Dg so I knew I had to wrap up today to go to our town. We ate breakfast and pottered around a bit then off we went. I just prayed it wasn’t slippy and how would I know? only when it would be too late.

 

Waggs in her bed bless her and me with my faithful white cane Hub took the Little Fella. Last time we went to the theatre LF was great, he lay by Hubs feet. There was hardly any room, but he never made a sound. Dogs are so beautiful they never complain and are always happy if you treat them well and he is so loved.

 

 The air was chilling. It wasn’t slippy though. We only waited for a bus for seven minutes. The bus was quite full, but we still found a seat, together as well which is a bonus.

 

Sighted people look out of the window on a bus, we people listen. Oh, goodness, there were some characters on there today.     

 

We had no choice but to hear the life story of a very loud lady with an accent we couldn’t work out, I thought Canadian, but Hub said no. He thought Eastern European? Bit of a difference? Anyhow, she was a one. Telling her children that if her car doesn’t pass it’s test this time, there is no car until 2018… Then she was with her friend who had a child. The lady with the accent kept going on about money and having non-but then she said to the friend that she didn’t think the cinema was too expensive? She said for three of them it was only £27…. And the popcorn was for three again, £14.25 as for a can of pop? £4.75

  Oh, my goodness? Firstly, the poor children having to listen to this and secondly, how much to go to the cinema now?

Oh, but then for the cream. The other lady the friend, her child was next to her and the two ladies spoke lady with accent asked the friend if she wanted to go back to their house to see her daughters?

Child of another lady said… Wait for it? Haha.

“No mum, you hate them.””

The other lady, the child’s Mum.

“No I don’t, I never said that, don’t put words in my mouth?””

Gets better Bloggets.

Child answered. “Mum, you said they are bitches?””

Oh, my word? Get me off that bus?

Well, the lady who was telling  the bus the life story went very quiet. Hahaha. Then the ex, friend, got off the bus, leaving her mess behind…

 

Then you get the smokers getting on, oh gosh they stink if only they knew what they smell like? And then there was an old Scottish drunk. He got talking to the poor lady next to him asking where she was getting off, she told him. He said I live there too… Well the place they spoke about is a big place and there are loads of bus stops in that area. The man asked the lady if she would see him across the road when he got off? She agreed. Well, turned out that she was due to get off two stops after him so I know she didn’t know the area very well so was in for a shock when she got off too early to do her good deed of the day.

 

Good now time to get off the bus. I wouldn’t have a clue where I was but thankfully Hub is amazing. There are no obvious turns or bumps in the road. I don’t know how he does it…

 

Where the bus pulled up, I got off first I’m always afraid of using my cane in our town as it’s so busy. It’s all quite new to us still. Right where the stupid bus pulled up, where the door is, there was an enormous sign, thankfully I was walking slow enough not to whack into it. I found my way around it, telling Hub to watch out for it and weaved in and out the crowds of people.

 

We got to our theatre, first set of doors were locked. Second were open. I told Hub to turn right as that is where the desk is to pick up our tickets. Oh gosh, there were more people, sounds coming from the coffee shop in the vast open planned reception. Tables of coffee drinkers all over, trying to listen and find the desk, any clue to hear for a cash till or paper sounds? Only the coffee machines and tills selling food.

 

I knew I was heading in the right direction, but had to pause for a moment. A voice behind us said I think they are lost. A gentleman came up to me and asked if he could help? We asked him to show us where the ticket desk was? We were ten steps from it, but, thankfully he told us that he was one of the audio describers for the play. Really? I didn’t even know that was on this afternoon. Wow, I have never heard one before. Long and short, we picked up our tickets and the other reader for the audio came to talk with us and gave us some earphones. Wow, this was so good. I already was so excited to see the play; I love the theatre but to actually be able to know what was going on in the silent parts?

 

We were shown our seats. Again, I think we were the youngest in the theatre hall. Little Fella lay next to Hubs feet tucked in nicely. Gosh, the theatre was soo’oo’oo cold. Loads of leg room this time thank goodness as on the way to the bus, I came off slightly the kerb and stopped myself from tripping with my really bad leg, so I was in such pain, but as long as I could stretch my leg I would be fine.

 

Well, if we wanted and if we knew, we could have come to the touch performance… It’s where you turn up an hour before hand and get to go on the stage and meet the actors as well as feel their costumes. But what we were about to receive may the Lord know I was truly grateful. Smile.

 

Before the performance the earphones were put on turned up and the man spoke. He told us what the set was like.

A 1930’s setting. It was a bungalow in the woods. The curtains at the huge bay window and the lavish sofas with chintz material and old mahogany furniture with a tall set of drawers in the living room with lockable drawers. A table with breakfast food on and another table with some ornaments on it.

 

There was a large brick fire place with a tarnished silver mirror hanging above it and at the side of it was a barometer hanging. Then the words took us into a kitchen and then into a large conservatory and so on. Even trees coming through the open windows and the ceiling had thick wooden beams. Gosh, he went on and on. I was shocked and amazed just how big the stage was? Wow. Oh I could have cried. I really could. If only the describers knew just how emotional I was. I knew for the first time in my life what was on the stage in front of me. Previously when I had sight, I could see the people crystal clear. Even what they were wearing, but never I had enough sight to see such vast items. My sight used to be so good, but only a pin prick of vision allowed itself to my brain. To see such huge productions, settings, would mean I had to work my eyes so very hard and that would be so painful.

 

He went on to saying what the actors would be wearing. One of the men even went to change his socks half way through? I turned to Hub and asked why it was necessary to do that? Who would notice socks? Haha.

 

The play is called “Night must fall”” written in 1935 by Emlyn Williams. A psychological thriller Mrs Bramson an elderly lady in a wheel chair most of the play, is a bitter nasty straight talking self pitying person, resides in remote part of Essex, with her book reading word talented Niece, who is very ordinary looking with red hair tied in a tortoise shell clip in a bun and wears glasses as for her clothes? Very conservatively dressed. The elderly Mrs B, treats her Niece like a servant as well as the maid and cook, all three ladies paid by Mrs B who though in a wheel chair, has no disability at all, as it’s revealed later on in the play.

 

Now if we hadn’t have had audio description, we would have heard voices, not sure until the play was well on it’s way, who was who and as for the costumes and setting, like the mirror fire place and so on?

 

One day Mrs B discovers that her maid is pregnant but the Father of the child doesn’t want to know about the baby. Mrs B asks to meet with the father of the girl. Mrs B is so angry with the young father Dan, but once he charms her, she forgets everything bad about him. Olivier the Niece knows that Dan is putting on a façade and isn’t fooled like her Aunt.

 

The play is very sinister, though there are a lot of laughs too. But we were left chilled not only because the theatre was cold, but the description told of dark ideas. Facial expressions, how Dan got inches off people when he spoke to them. So, close to their faces. Suspicions grow, when a local beauty is found murdered.

 

One night a hand is found in the rubbish outside the bungalow. Then the body in the woods but eh head is missing.

 

This play is farcical comical typically English humour of darkness, whilst ratcheting up of tension. But Dan who is a charming psychopath shows just how brilliant his acting really is, in real life and in the play, itself.

 

The transformation from goolish behaviour to girly giggles, was gripping and dragged me into their dangerous life. The hat box was featured a lot and it’s suspected that was where the missing head was kept…

 

Oh I don’t do the play justice as for the acting?  Gosh, it was so good. When I go to the theatre I am at my happiest.

 

I’m home safe, we got to town and back. I’m so pleased we found the courage to do so. On our return was a bit of a nightmair. We stood for ages for our bus. We managed to find where we needed to be. Passing  lines of people waiting for their bus number as of course a long flat path has high signs with numbers on and you stand where your bus number is? Well, we know roughly where ours is, after fifteen minutes of standing in the bitter cold. Hub kept trying to get me to ask the people if we were in the right queue? I won’t ask. I’m bad at it. So thankfully Hub asked. Heck, they have only gone and changed the bus stops? We had to learn from a member of the public that now where we stood was for bus number one. Kindly the man took us to where we needed to be. A bus pulled in, was it ours? There are so many that pull in and not exactly where we stand as there are lines of people. We queue hop, so un English of us, but if we follow a queue, what if it is the wrong one and how do you follow a queue without putting your hand on their back and that is too familiar…

 

Got to the bus door and we or Hub asked the driver if it was our bus telling him our number and it was. On the bus right at the back as no seats available. LF was wonderful as ever. It was so dark and cold outside now. Half an hour later we got off the bus and began the ten minute walk home. The house was warm and Waggs was pleased to see us. We let them, LF, and Wagga out in the garden to play but I think it was even too cold for them. Fed them and then had dinner.

 

Teen went out for the night, not sure when he is due in. Tomorrow he is going out to have a fun day. More on that tomorrow, but it’s a place he has never been before. Then Monday back to work. Hub playing piano tomorrow, but I have to stay in. Hmm. Two reasons. Again, more tomorrow. I will miss not seeing my friend at church though and of course will miss not seeing Hub playing but, I have heard him rehearse tonight. He is amazing.

 

Wherever you are now, be safe and happy and never think anything is impossible. From something so small that you have been putting off for ages to something mega, I hope you try to achieve a goal. I always find it incredible that we as blind people manage to do certain things, something I would have never thought possible some years ago. With love. X

FRIDAYS DIARY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good day Bloggets. Wow, what a dreadful stressful morning I have had? My beloved really does give me some tasks to do and todays was no exception!  Just over one hour on the phone that is after trying to get hold of an impossible number as well as calling someone to try and make contact with and pass on a message. Maybe you are wondering what the heck I’m talking about? Well my insides are in knots. I’m up against the clock. Time is ticking for sure and decisions are having to be made on my own because Hub is at work and he thinks I can deal with it? Well, I’m struggling for sure.

 

Leading up to our wedding for the two weeks before hand my Husband to be was abroad working. I was getting calls from companies asking questions about our big day that should have been a joint decision but Hub was somewhere crazy at the time I can’t remember but not what I would call a regular kind of country where by it was easy to contact him. I couldn’t. So, the yes’s no’s and tick boxes had to be on my shoulders.

 

Gosh that was a challenging time, most people for their wedding day have help and support from a parent or family member. Not me, I arranged everything on my own. Found out when Hub was free from work. Arranged the venue. Who I wanted there well, all but two people were really wanted… See where they were to sit, how many we required around each table. What colour table cloths we wanted, what to have to eat, the entertainment and who would marry us? Hubs suit shirt and tie as well as our Sons outfit. He was thirteen at the time and was Hubs best man and a great job he did too. Bless him. My shoes, flowers to which Hubs Mum kindly made so I just had to choose the colours. My dress calling loads of places first to see where was best and arranging a hair dressers to come to the house as obviously, I couldn’t drive where ever and then to get cars to the place we needed to be and then for our honeymoon. Smile, I even arranged that. This is why on the day itself, I was so emotional. Exhausted and relieved the best day of my life had arrived. Hub and I both agreed it was the very best day for us both and everything went so well. It was a perfect day. First marriages normally others plan and you get told what to do. Second time around it should be just how you want it and it was.

 

I was so fortunate our friend took the wedding photographs. He is the best in the business and I was so honoured to have him as our photographer. My friend Julie came with me to our town after my hair was done and I got my makeup done in a department store. Hahah. Sounds bad, that, doesn’t it? I had lost a lot of weight at the time and wanted to just look different. But even that was funny because in my mind I wanted light brown eye lashes with gold edging. The makeup artist had never done this before and hadn’t even seen it? I was shocked, as surely it isn’t that unusual? She asked her colleagues to come over and told them. They were equally intrigued. Anyway, I got my wish and the ladies said that it looked so good that they would recommend it to other people getting their makeup done in the future…

 

As with choosing this house. And doing the deal. I made the decision rather fast as I knew that Hub would say up to you…. On the map this house was perfect for us, I thought… I don’t regret buying it at all. But the lead up to it? Oh, gosh. But if I had dark hair, it would have been turned grey for sure.

 

Today was over one hour of my time waisted and so much work before and after. I had everything sorted and Hub said no, so now back to the drawing board. Where are my pencils?

 

As we would say in the North East, I’m not in the best of fettles today. A friend of mine has been let down by yet another man friend. Poor lady is picking the wrong kind and I feel so sad for her because this time she really fell for him. Last one she was heartbroken, this time I just hope won’t send her into a depression.

 

I have of course heard of arranged marriages, the other night the four of us were watching a program about people in the UK who were matched through an agency. They didn’t even meet until their wedding day. Oh my? Anyway, as for my friend, I looked at the man’s profile on Facebook and no way I would have put them together. I wish I could help her to find Mr. Right? Bless her she hasn’t had an easy life and I feel for her.

 

Oh, let me tell you. My door? Remember we have had a PVC party all week. Sounds kinky, but not really, it is my front door. Well, last night a man came from a company locally and wow, he was amazing. The first guy who wasn’t a total liar for one, and cheat for another. He was so helpful. And my new door gets fitted first week in January. So, the rest of this month and next we will have to put up with the cold getting in but at least after then when the weather is at its worst, we will have a warm door.

 

We had to pay a deposit. He had to give us change and it was one of our new £5 oh I hate them. I will for sure mistake them for a receipt. They are smaller than the old ones and if they are plastic, why couldn’t they put a Braille number five on them? If they bring the same out in tens, twenties and so on, it will be worse than the last notes as you can’t even fold these they are so small. Monopoly money.

 

Today is sunny it has rained all night though. Yesterday we had a bit of snow and Hubs train was delayed, so he didn’t get home until seven in the evening.

 

He said there was almost a fight on the train. A girl with a child was on her mobile phone saying to a friend how shocking it was her benefits were going to be stopped and after half an hour almost of this person going mad. She put the phone down and the man next to Hub turned around and said. “I think you are a disgrace. What makes you think that you are entitled to benefits? You chose to have a child and there is no reason you can’t find some kind of work. The trouble with people like you is you want for nothing.”” Apparently, the man really tore into the lady. She never said a word but Hub said that he spoke to her for about ten minutes. How could she not have answered? Gosh I think I would have had to say something, unless of course she is a sponger? Otherwise, surely she would have tried to fight her case?

 

Cleaned Teens bathroom today and was delighted to see that A, there were no clothes on the bathroom floor, or shoes, and B, he had emptied his bin. Mind you, his clothes, slippers and a pair of shoes were all over the landing. Now they are chucked on the bed and floor of his bedroom. He has a huge robe but hangs things on the floor. I wouldn’t care, but he is so particular about ironing his own clothes, and when he is done, they are immaculate.

 

Right, off to meet a man. Smile. Clear my mind of phone calls and jog on… I hope your day is stress free. Have a lovely weekend. We are off to the theatre tomorrow and Sunday Hub playing piano for church. I will chat again later, until then smile. X

THE NIPPING NIGHT AND DAY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

THE NIPPING NIGHT AND DAY

BY FIONA CUMMINGS

The nights are nipping

Boots are gripping

The icy carpet does teas

The finger like branches on the trees

Looking bare without leaves

Silver icicles hang from window frames

 Walking by the windows, there are candle flames

Smoke from the chimneys

Patterns in the clouds

Kissing the moon

Shining so proud

Dancing stars

From so far

But still I hear the music

It’s like winter magic

A show in the sky

The wind blows by

The rain bangs the drum

Beating the sun

I love the winter

Though blades of cold cuts like a splinter

By day the cobalt night has gone away

The lake is frozen

Robbins by the dozen

A perfect picture

Of a night and day in winter

  

© Fiona Cummings

MAKE UP AND A CHAT IN THE DARK BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Reading the countries stats today, the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth viewers for the moment I looked were New Zealand 7, France 7, Hungary 7 and Brazil seven. I wonder if I should put seven on the lotto this week?

 

Clearing out my emails today, is it just me or do you too get some kind of satisfaction out of putting emails into spam then going into spam and deleting forever? Oh, I love it. I get such a buzz. A sense of freedom. I get so annoyed at people thinking I’m stupid why would I want to open an attachment if I didn’t know the person? Ans some of the emails address me as Dear beloved? What? Who are you even? How many people want to share their millions with me and want to put their money in my bank? How many people have a job for me or want to have sex with me?

Don’t answer the last one….

Oh

Go on then, as long as you are kind. Hahahah

 

Also, people who don’t bother with you for months, suddenly expect you just to be in and drop everything you may have planned and if you don’t, o boy, there is hell to pay. You send emails to people; they are too rude to even answer then they decide that it is the right time to write to you and if you don’t respond within four hours they go mad with you. stuff that lot, I don’t need it in my life thank you. Haha. I’m in a good mood honest. I just love the power of spam. I think my email system is so clever to recognise its spam too, mind you, I do have a lovely Blogget who writes to me and her mail often goes into spam… And she hasn’t asked me to put her money in her bank, give me millions or asked me for sex.

I guess there’s time?

 

Oh, really sad, just heard from my insurance. Okay, so, I have to pay £350 excess. So, the job apparently is going to cost £528. So, I will receive £178. Confused? I was for a moment. That is Okay, I guess at least I will get people who will do the job properly. I hope. But, I fear it won’t be before December. My tree? Oh, no…. I have put so much into this year’s tree too. Hours on line buying decorations. I have decided to make it easier this year by making my tree two colours. My normal tree is chocolate, coffee, cream, bronze and golds with hints of oranges. But getting those colours in order some sort of pattern is a challenge to say the least. But this year, I would learn what baubles are blue and what are white.

 

But when? January?

 

Oh up on the ladders today, whilst my Son ate lunch watching me… Nothing quite like it. hahaha. The window man who came out last night told me I had mould on my windows. Teen said today there wasn’t one bit of mould they were bright white. Gosh, why do people do this? I thought he was a good man too. Obviously wanted to sell me windows as well. And he was the most trusting man. Another one coming tonight, whilst we listen to his bull. I wonder if after tonight we just decide to say stuff it and keep the door we have? So, we lose heat from it, it has a draft, the lock keeps sticking and it broke a key, haha, but it closes and locks if you are careful.

 

I went out before and guess what? It was snowing. It’s so cold but snowing? Wow, it’s early.

 

Two questions I have been asked this week I will try to answer.

1.       Why don’t you like socialising at big events? And my answer is this. When you can’t’ see, and you are in a room where perhaps there is loud music, loads of people talking, to me it’s a nightmare. A social nightmare. If you can see, you watch people’s reactions. You see them smile at you, point to something, you lip read. You can look around the room. Use eye contact and so on.

When you are blind, you sit looking at nothing, if it’s quiet, you can look normal and look towards a sound as if you can see. When you can’t hear anything, you just can’t respond. You don’t even hear people say your name. You hear voices laughing and joining in with conversations, but you are left out. It’s horrible, I just keep away from places events like that. It’s a lot of noise like a messy room. Fighting your way through the mess to get somewhere.

Second question one I get a lot, how do you put your make up on without getting it all over your face?

Well, firstly, good quality of makeup. I use Clarins. If it’s good enough for the queen, haha, it’s good enough for a Fifi Blogger.

 

The makeup was a gift from my Hub when we were dating. He was shocked that I had make up from our local market. And one day took me to town where we used to live and why I ended up on the Clarins desk? I don’t know, but I got a full make over by the girl and the smell was amazing, not nasty heavy just perfect and it went on like velvet with silk ribbons.

 

I use my fingers rather than small brushes I do have a big brush to put on my blusher but I always rub my face as I go then at the end just wash my hands.

 

I try to avoid eye makeup if I wear mascara, I use a clear one. Little is better than lots, I’m fortunate as my close friends tell me I don’t have lines, so nothing like that to cover yet, when that happens, it will be different. I guess I will use a concealer stick, just always rub afterwards but don’t rub around your eyes or you will get wrinkles.

 

 A lot of my blind friends don’t wear makeup. Mainly the friends who have never seen. I wonder if it is because they don’t realise how bad they may look? They have never seen a lady without make up. Unless they are a natural beauty of course? Gosh I remember I had a neighbour who was rather attractive I could see then, and one day she popped her head over the fence and I actually screamed.

Seriously, I was shocked I didn’t even know anyone could look so different. I could see then so I knew it was her especially when she spoke, that kind of confirmed it.

 

To see such a transformation though? Always blend your make up under your chin too don’t stop there or you will have lines. Lips? I just can follow my lips, I’m not sure how to describe this, I just feel where my lips are with my lipstick. May be its years of knowing my face, who knows? I know a lot of people who can’t see get their makeup tattooed on.

Ouch. Nonononononono

 

But if you are brave I guess why not?

Just because you can’t see your face, doesn’t have to mean you can’t feel good about yourself and that is what I love about Clarins make up. It is so luxurious. Expensive but you need very little. Think about what you want out of your make up too, do you really need green eye lids? Are your lashes not already dark, if so do you need to colour them more? Basic and quality.

 

I shut myself away in the office today, left my phone downstairs and did a load of work for someone. It was brain challenging but I loved it. That is finished and sent off. Now for dinner. Heck, it’s never ending, is it? Look after yourselves. Take care coz I care. X

 

 

 

CHATTER BOX

Hot hot hot, and coll’ll’lloo’ood We have Bloggets today from Cyprus, Spain, Australia, and Brazil. Warmer there than here that is for sure, and other viewers from the Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Canada the US and bitter cold Britain. The weather is really getting ready for Jack Frost to visit.

 

Beautiful Switzerland joined too, Gosh I love the idea of places like Switzerland Sweden and Canada. It’s kind of a romantic thought. In my mind, I’m out in thick crunchy snow all wrapped up. I’m wearing a long wool light grey coat with grey boots, a pretend pale grey fur hat and grey sued gloves. Passing by the tall fern trees and hearing my dogs running with delight among the beautiful green fragrant ferns and pure white snow. It’s a perfect world though and I don’t slip. Smile. You know that silent sound of the snow? Where everything around you seem so close as if you are in a room full of carpets rolled up. I guess you are with the snow? I remember when I used to go to Russia, walking through the forests and parks was a much needed break from the dreadful reality I had to face each day at the hospital. Seeing multi coloured sleighs with tiny children on being pushed by their Papa’s and small children on ski’s, weaving in and out of people. The sky was full of promise, the air mysteriously moved me to my soul. To hear my true feelings and try to heal my heart, which was taunted by already life. Even a as young girl, I had seen and heard things that no one should have even known about in life, let alone experienced such a life!

 

But there was something about the snow, as if all the hurt was buried by the flakes of the fallen sky. Silver birch trees with blade like branches so picturesque was the snow gripping onto each branch, like teardrops crystallised in time.

 

For me snow has a beautiful blanket of comfort. Such thick snow I never saw in England and it was England where most of my sadness occurred. Russia, I had the most excruciating treatments, I was prisoned for almost two months as a six year old in hospital, force fed hurt badly and injected by a nurse who didn’t know pain. No visitors, no toys to play with and for sure no one spoke English. Then over the years, Russia, well Moscow became more westernised and life got a little easier kinder, but then too much so and now the new Russians are here and old mother Russia has died and even been forgotten like a bad memory.

 

So, walking through the snow now in Moscow, I doubt there is a heart or soul, or even a meaning to life.

 

In my mind, I’m in somewhere like Switzerland walking, my face is red with the cold. I’m crunching my way towards a small church where candles are lit in the stained-glass windows and I hear singing as I pass by. Of course, in my mind I can see. I see as I did when I was partially sighted. But in my mind, I can drive. Something I have never been able to do. Legally… I have driven in a carpark and down a very quiet country lane.

 

I see robins and squirrels, red of course. The air is so pure away from nasty cars and factories.

 

Then I return home, to my log cabin. I kick off the snow and enter the heavy wooden door where by my log fire is burning and lamps light the room with the fragrance of coffee on the percolator. Quaint and comfy, away from reality.

 

Reality today, it’s cold and raining, that kind of slow rain but where you get really wet. Just as I remembered I have put the dog beds out to air whilst I did the floors, but forgot the beds. Woops!!!

 

Hub is travelling today by taxi, train and car. Two hours plus he is visiting a client and hopefully home a little earlier than he would be if he went to the office. Little Fella has a day of difference today.

 

Teen left for work and returned ten minutes later… He had gone in too early. He got his shift wrong hahaha. I joked and told him it was a good job I didn’t have my fancy man here?

He wasn’t impressed…

 

I think he would disown me if I did that to his Dad. Smile, there is no chance of that. Hub and I are like glue.

 

We had a different door man out last night. One company cancelled twice so I cancelled them full stop. The guy who came out last night was more honest and not such a trashy person as the one the other night. I hate it when they call each other names. How childish. It makes me just not want to deal with them any further.

 

Well another guy out tonight, I don’t know what our neighbours will be thinking?

 

Oh, no, the man who came out last night told us in a nice way, unlike the guy the other night, that our windows and doors are as cheap as you can buy. Well, we know that, but we didn’t put them in. they were in when we moved here. The guy said last night that there is black marks looks like mould has got through the gaps of our lounge window, I was horrified. I clean them but obviously, I’m cleaning in the dark and you can’t concentrate on one particular part if you can’t see, so you just clean all of the frames the same. Whereas if you can see, you rub certain areas more so.

 

I hate not being able to see for example we have a new kind of candle I love them, but they burn wood rather than wick and Hub and I were wondering if they cause smoke damage? Our wall paper could be awful now for all we know? How would we know, a handy man put my wall light on upside down four years ago? I knew straight away. It took teen, the sighted one in the family, three years to notice.

 Oh, another thing, our wall paper was put on upside down. I had to tell the decorator. But things you can’t feel, we would never know.

I woke up today with dreadful eye pain. Before I even opened my eyes. I don’t understand why I get eye pain when I could see they put it down to eye strain… And now? Believe me, no point in straining... It aint happening.

 

Today I got up, put teens dishes in the dish washer, he can be so lazy around the house. Then there were two sweet potatoes on the work top. I asked him what were they for? He asked me to make them for his lunch… I made my breakfast, a strange one it was but I enjoyed it… So, what was it? Two bread buns with cream cheese spring onions and cucumber…. I know, breakfast? So, I put teens sweet potatoes in the microwave and will put them in the oven later and he can put what he wants on them. I have put the washing in the machine, that was easy today, as not much in the basket. This tells me though there is loads of ironing to do. Gosh I find it so boring.  I must do it today though. Tidied the kitchen and groomed a wagging one. Put out the dog beds and cleaned the floors. Now I will get the washing that is finished in the machine and take it to the garage which is outside in the rain, but not far at all and in the garage, I go. Then, I will fill a dish with hot water and solution and attempt to clean the blooming windows. I will have to use a ladder as our window sill in this house is so deep I can’t reach the glass and frame and I’m very tall, so I don’t know how my short neighbours manage?

 

Teen kindly took me for a curtain rail for one of the bedrooms yesterday. Of course, there was no option of choosing what I would like, I got asked what colour and bobs your uncle to the cashier I went. I tell you, if I ever am fortunate to get my sight back, and seriously I’m doubting it more and more now days, but if I do, I will shop till I drop. Choosing things that I want, rather than need. At least I have something to hang my curtains up on now though. And for that I have to be grateful. What it looks like?  Who knows. It’s in the box still. Pointless getting it out of the box until I find who will put it up for me. Same person who will hang my beautiful painting I guess and fix the boards along the bottom of my kitchen units that keep falling off and as for the ceiling in our lounge? Hmm. Right, going back onto the insurance now, reminded me. It’s a week today since they came out. Oh, I also have the bathroom to wash leaking ceiling reminded me…

 

There is loads on my mind today, loads I could talk about, but it’s deep so will wait for a brave day. My friend laughed at me the other day as I gave a person we know a piece of my mind, if it’s on my mind I deal with it. She said she likes me because I don’t pretend to be someone’s best friend then call them behind their back. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. But this subject is very deep. May be in another blog.

 

In our news, today? LinkedIn will be blocked in Russia within the next 24 hours. Physiotherapy isn’t good for sprains new research says… Well it didn’t do my knee last year any good and as for my other knee, it’s still killing and kept me awake all night. I am sure it’s getting worse. Also, the pain is moving around my leg and my leg looks twisted.

Spermidine? Have you heard of it? Well it’s in blue cheese, new studies say it can help you live longer. I will leave it up to you to do research on spermidine. Smile.

Adults with hypertension around the world have doubled since 1975.

 

Oh this is a heart warming story, I listened to the recording last night on the news, and today on line and still my heart was full of pride for this little girl. Last night what isn’t on the recording on this link, the little girl told the emergency services that she was waving to the ambulance people as they pulled in next to her house. The little four year old girl called 999 and told the staff member her Mummy was unwell. If you can listen to this little girl, you will be touched for sure.

http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/17/listen-to-cute-girl-4-on-999-call-to-save-her-mums-life-6264356/

 

Later with love and a thought for now. The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.

DIARY OF AMAZING GRACE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good morning Bloggets. I just received a call from Guide Dogs to tell me they need to see me for after care. Oh, no… Dread dot com. The lady who comes out is my favourite after care person. She’s the best. But like most if not all guide dog owners, we dread that day. Just the thought of being watched. You have to remember all the commands that you were taught that you may have adjusted. Smile. The way you walk, that will be a laugh with my dodgy knee. Your hand motions and so on, then you have to pray your four-legged friend will perform. The thing I have found with both of my guide dogs is, when after care comes, they always walk taller, dogs that is, not person watching, and work better. Even if it is a route that you have done every day and your dog has been so bad on that walk. On day of after care they work so well. Seam to know what is going on.  So now what I need is a blown up version of my aftercare lady with a bit of string attached like a kite and drag her behind me. Hahaha. May get more odd looks than what I get already.

 

So, next Friday, Wonderful Wagging Woo has to be tested.

 

I had a dreadful night with my knee. No sleep hardly. Then Hub got up for work and I seemed to fall asleep. Gosh I am so pleased I have changed. Gone the days when I was a wreck waiting for Hub to leave the house, hoping he had everything, then not being able to wrest until I knew he was safely at work, now I have taught myself to put my mind elsewhere. Still need to know though when he has arrived. He has been so close to serious crashes of late. Cars having critical accidents right in front of him. It’s a long way to his office too.

 

My groceries came this morning. I wanted to get our poor turkey for Christmas for the family because I don’t want to panic last minute and find there are none, that happened last year believe it or not. We got one in the end, but there was a choice of three and normally about fifteen for our needs.

 

So, it didn’t have a weight not that I am any good at weights.

Lifting them or looking for food weights… it just read that would be suitable for 16 to 19 people…

Teen likes turkey.

Well, the person came with my shopping, a very nice person, not sure whether male or female… But sweet. They handed me the bag with the turkey in. oh my…. Oh, boy… Em! A cold sweat came over my face. I had to swallow hard. A pain in my throat. My heart was pounding. Firstly, poor turkey. I wish everyone could be vegetarians. Secondly, didn’t have a clue what to do with it?

It would feed a busy church and all of the residence around the church. No way that would fit into our freezer? And as for our stupid dolls oven?

So, would Christmas come early for my family?

 

I decided to take that to the freezer first. Leaving my bags in the kitchen. Carrying this enormous beast. I went into my garage and reluctantly opened the door of the freezer. Thankfully it’s quite empty. Oh, gosh, what had I bought?

 

To my astonishment, it fit on one shelf, with no room apart from a centimetre.

Few? As for the oven? I think it will be Okay if we only cook the turkey and we normally do that the day before anyway, as next day we have loads to go into our dolly oven. Next oven will be a humongous thing. I spend most of my life trying to get things into our oven and we won’t mention the hob?

 

Then the use of Tap Tap See on my IPhone it’s great, but it takes so long to let me know what certain things are. Most items I buy I know what they are, but there are some I don’t.

 

 I think there were three items today I wasn’t sure about. And it took roughly a minute to take the picture then wait for answers. I was lucky today, it worked first time sometimes you have to take two or three pictures per item. As sometimes I have the box or packet the wrong way.

 

Oh, still waiting to hear from the insurance people about our ceiling. Seriously it’s been a week today since the man came out. They apparently are still waiting for asbestos results. So today they got a piece of my mind. That piece that you wouldn’t want! I will phone them again tomorrow.

 

Going to meet my sweet fun friendly pal now. My friend Geordie. I can’t wait to see her. She is the sunshine in my life. I’m off to her house and I love it there. She and I used to live near to each other but now it’s a good fifteen minutes away. She lives in a very posh area with a huge drive with a roundabout in it. Not a children’s  round about or one on a road, but just a round island to drive around in her garden to park.

 

Teen says she is like a WAG. A footballer’s wife, or another description of her was like an actress from Sex in the City. Hahaha. I didn’t tell her that one. As not sure if it would be a compliment or an insult. He said she is my most glamorous friend. She is very tall slim and elegant. Her life is so different to mine but we have so much in common, like today, she went for a 6 mile run… Her clothes are stunning and she always looks beautiful but the funny thing is, each time I see her she compliments me and I think to myself, gosh, how can someone like you say anything good about me? Her Mum does the same, bless her, she always tells me nice things. Teen said her Mum looks so young, he would guess she was in her forties? Heck… Her Mum? As Geordie is the same age as me. So does Geordies Mum look the same age as me? By the way, the lady is in her seventies.

 

It’s windy out there, it’s like church bells in my garden with all of the wind chimes. Did I tell you Hub bought me a lovely gift? It is a beautiful wind chime for in doors that plays the first six notes of Amazing Grace. He knows it was my Mums favourite tune, well each time she heard it she cried. The first time I went to Russia for eye treatment, she hadn’t seen me for six weeks. I was taking to hospital, and she wasn’t allowed to visit… She never went out of her hotel room. She was ill with worry also never expected to be in Moscow that long so only took enough of her heart pills for two weeks. On week five she was asked by some Scottish people who also were in the hotel, to go on a Burns night with them to Red Square. Mum declined, but long and short of it, they got her to change her mind.

 

She went and the first tune the bag pipes played was Amazing Grace. Well, my Mum turned on her heal and went right back to the hotel to her room… The poor Scottish group didn’t know why? Until the next day when Mum told them the words to that song. “Was blind but now can see!” My Mum lived to find me sight bless her. Wherever she is now, if there is such a place as another land, and she has any say about what happens to me on earth, I’m sure she will be working to get me sight, unless she has learned that we all end up together in heaven and there is no disabilities up there. So my lesson on earth is to be blind… I keep saying, I have learned my lesson. I have been punished for whatever I have done. Please forgive and let me see? But so far, my prayer hasn’t been answered.

 

Right, later with love. Xx

DIARY OF TODAY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good evening Bloggets. Tonight, is round two of our salesman parties. To my shock, our front door has moved… Not next door,

 but for sure there is a draft that wasn’t there before. I’m not joking, the wind that is blowing through the edges of the frame is ridiculous. All the traffic that goes by our house, I’m sure that is why it has moved?  We can feel the house moving when a big truck goes by.

 

We had a man come out last night, oh me. Why are sales people such sleaze balls? Even the way he laughed was awful. Well, when he found out that Hub couldn’t see, it was funny, he kind of looked to me as his voice was thrown my way, as if to say, few, thank God I have you madam? Hahahaha, then I told him he had a double act. Well, his reaction was the best. Then he said. “I hope you don’t expect me to read out all of the designs?””

 

This is the thing when you can’t see, old Bloggets will remember when I had the blind man out, hehehehehe, no, he, could see. It was me who couldn’t. I told him the colour I wanted for my windows, and asked him to describe the patterns? Oh, he almost had heart failure.

 

So, we were told last night, of three designs. If you can see, you will get to pick two or three brochures. Well, round two tonight. Let’s see what happens?

 

Teen and Shamrock are in, so I ordered Pizzas for us all, and Teen Hub and Shamrock had some fun playing the piano. But because I had a lovely lunch, I couldn’t eat anything, I have had a great day ladies who do lunch, and this time I didn’t have to make it. A lovely day with charming company. It’s great to spend time with someone who can talk as much as me. In fact, it was great to be able to talk? Smile. Hub is working from home and he has been on the phone all morning. I couldn’t do my house work or even speak to the dogs, because Hub had to be on skype and the connection isn’t very good in our office so he had to work from the lounge, so when I went out with my friend, I talked for England.

 

It’s our big charity of the year this week in the UK. It’s called Children in need. The whole of the country gets involved. Every night there are heart wrenching stories how certain charities have helped some kids. Oh, gosh, Hub puts it on every night. I get that lump in my throat and can’t stand it. I had to shout last night to turn it off after I asked him three times, tonight he has it on now, but I have my earphones on talking with you… I wouldn’t care, but Hub gets choked up about it too. But he can stand it, I can’t.

 

Hub and I were also watching a program about America and their drug problem with heroin. Gosh it’s scary. I just don’t get it. They say that most people who take heroin are middle class. I said to Hub I don’t understand why Doctors get addicted? They are supposed to be intelligent. And Hub said that middle class people in general are more intelligent than lower class. Hmm. Okay, I saw red. My working class roots kicked in and I said I know of loads of adults and children who are in their, opinion middle class and in my, opinion, they are far from intelegent. I know so many working class children who could be brain surgeons. I know that middle class get more chances in life as far as education, better schools and so on, but at the end of the day, a lot depends on teachers. My Son went to a very middle class school where we used to live and the teachers were dreadful. Where we moved to after that place, the school had a very bad name, but our Son got a much better education. The reason why a lot more middle class kids take stuff, is because the people pushing the drugs know the kids have more money to buy their needs.  I don’t get drugs. Sometimes I think I am one of the only people I know who just doesn’t get it at all. Putting a hole in yourself? Really? Why? Of course, it’s an addiction like anything, but don’t start it? Please? Why start to do something that is so bad for you?

 

I don’t like the police’s attitude either when they catch our young people with drugs and more, they all get let off. There should be some kind of example made of them to spread the word, I mean the kids know they can get away with selling drugs and making money without having to work for hours and no consequences.

 

I was talking with my friend today saying how difficult it is as a parent to keep our kids away from the temptations. We can sew the seed and just hope that we see the blossom, rather than the weeds.

 

Our news is full of fracking. Really I’m so against that. We have stolen enough from our land. No matter how much people protest against it, our Government don’t take any notice.

 

Oh, guess what? The door man just called. He can’t come tonight. Half an hour before he was due to be here. Last night he called to say he couldn’t come last night either. It can only happen to us. He had the cheek to ask if we wanted him to come tomorrow? I said no. He got two chances.

 

Very cold weather is due here in the north of England by the end of the week. I love the cold bitter weather before Christmas, after then, I’m ready for nicer weather.

 

Really excited about tomorrow. I’m meeting with my lovely dear friend Geordie. Oh I love her. I always come home feeling like I have been on cloud nine. Where ever that is?

 

Okay, will go for now, but wherever you are, smile, and know how important you are to me and a very happy birthday to a dear Blogget Louise. Love you lady. And you too!

A COLLECTION OF MY CHOCOLATE POEMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG AT HEART BY FIONA CUMMINGS

CHOCOLATE IN THE AIR

BY Fiona Cummings

 

For a while it remained a mystery

Whatever could that delightful smell be

I found out it came from the nearby factory

Which made chocolate dreams come true

To all children like me and you

I imagined little elves worked in there

And one naughty one in particular

Opened the window

 Allowing the aroma to escape in the air

He was the mischievous naughty Norman

Who has the job title of Forman

The other elves don’t get on with him

 Too well

 Especially whom they call Noddy

 With the biggest silver bell

When it is break time Noddy shakes his hat

His bell rings so hard it wakes the factory cat

Who sleeps in an outside shed

And has a fresh daily  dish of chocolate milk

 And the most comfortable cosy bed

A log table with a cloth of silk

Is ready so  the elves can be fed

With little toadstools to sit on

And be given dishes by the cook Alvin

Caramel cups

And strawberry spoons

Chocolate fountains

And bubble gum balloons

Every day there is a birthday party

Because there are so many elves at the factory

Each one having their celebration

Sounds of laughter and jubilation

Leaking from the walls

Everyone wants to visit there

 But we are told not at all

As it is a secret haven

A chocolate heaven

  When I open my back door

The smell in the air I adore

 

 

Copyright Fiona Cummings 2015

 

EASTER AND THE ELVES

BY

Fiona Cummings

Easter time is upon us

The elves are making such a fuss

Panicking getting everything ready in time

Making chocolate so delicious  so fine

 Noddy has rang his bell so much

Trying to keep the elves awake

All day and night they are making fudge

And wonderful chocolate cake

Naughty Norman the mischievous Forman

Have had words with the cook Elvin

He got caught tasting a chocolate bubble

So now  he is in deep dark trouble

Silicon moulds are all ready

For delicate hands so steady

That job is for the purple hatted Ellie

Who makes the nicest strawberry jelly

Mee ows can be heard out the back

From the beautiful ragdoll cat

Ellie hears this and hides a truffle

Under her purple hat

If she gets caught she too will be in trouble

But she absolutely loves that cat

Who else works at the factory

Oh yes there is Melanie

Who is known for her  Irish melodies

She is the sweetest elf who works there

With her velvet green hat and her carrot hair

She works alongside her Daddy

Lovingly known as Paddy

It’s his job to wash up the pots

And then there is Tixi

A silver haired pixie

Who has been there the longest

And says she is the strongest

All the others laugh

As she is so small she uses a coffee cup for a  bath

But she carries heavy trays

And pushes  machinery out of the way

When not  in use

If a jar lid is too tight

She is always the first to offer to make it loose

Then there is Carter

He is the new starter

His nose does twitch

And his taste buds they itch

So much they desire

The chocolate dust

The  Easter bunny for him is a must

Then there is Pam who’s  making the white chocolate lambs

Oh the smell from our nearby chocolate factory

Can be smelt from the extractor fans

Oh it’s on its way

I can’t wait for Easter  Monday

I shall look at my chocolate goodies

The chicks and the milky bunnies

And thank the Elves

For making delights so yummy

 

Copyright Fiona Cummings 2015

 

THE CHOCOLATE SHIFTS

BY FIONA CUMMINGS

 

Seven o clock in the morning

 And Noddy rings his bell

Alvin is seen yawning

 The nightshift  bids farewell

As the factory door opens

 Releasing the wonderful smell

The ragdoll cat can be seen running

Trying to get in

But he is told to scatter

And he jumps on the seconds, bin

Ellie and Tixi are having a natter

Ellie asks Ragdoll what’s the matter

As the cat licks his lips pleading

He is hungry and needs feeding

He paws at the bin

So Ellie opens the lid for him

“Quick you will get me in bother

Then the Nessie bus pulls over

And the nightshift start to gather

The day workers jump from the bus

Made from chocolate and seats of fudge

Huge waggon wheels

 A horn which the driver gives a nudge

  Off it goes on its milky way

Along the grass verge for another day

In the car park there are marshmallow mini’s

And candy floss smoke from rolo chimneys

Carter signs his name for Noddy

As he goes to wrap the caramel teddy

All clocked in now

Well all but naughty Norman

The very mischievous Forman

Who has not come by the time of the bell

As he missed the Nessie bus

Oh well

Looks like the  boss is Marj

The elves love her being in charge

As she lets them have more time for breaks

Eating chunky chocolate flakes

Sometimes she bakes

Chocolate tarts

And pinches Elli’s jelly hearts

 She makes the elves a cocoa bun

 And laughter is heard as they have fun

Then Norman signs  in for Noddy

And serious work has begun

Noddy tells Norman he is not happy with him being late again

And takes out his strawberry liquorice pen

Writes down a note telling Norm will be in trouble if it  happens again

Norm says to Noddy

Who do you think you are

I am the Forman and your boss

So get in your banana car

Then Norman takes a chocolate star

And replaces it with Noddy’s bell

Then picks him up by his pointy feet

And dips him in the sherbet wishing well

Telling him his sour face will now be sweet

Poor Noddy is then thrown out on a door mat

And sugar is licked off him by the ragdoll cat

But one  elf has seen this nasty act

And that is the elf Nancy

Who for Noddy she has a fancy

Without thinking she picks up a broom

And chases Norm around the room

He runs and hides behind the bubble gum balloon

As she tries to get him

And picks up a rolling pin

 Carter the new starter saves him

 Getting chocolate brownie points from the Forman

 All in a day at the factory

Where noddy in the end got victory

As he took the popsicle stick

Noddy tells the story

Of how well the stick did fit

So all in the end glory

From a factory that’s a chocolate hit

 

 

Chocolate love in the air

By Fiona Cummings

 

Oh the smell from the factory

Brings back a  memory

Of my Mums baking days

Where the kitchen was in a haze

Of chocolate cakes

With the wooden spoon

On the table in the corner of the room

in the dish looking so yummy

just begging to find its way to my tummy

so today I put on my shoes

and took a walk to see

a tiny elf waving at me

Hay who are you

I bent down beside him

He said HI, I’m Jim

and pleased to meet with you

 I told him I was Fee

He winked at me

His funny little face

With his turned up nose

His pink little hands

Holding a beautiful rose

This is for you

As he jumped on my shoe

Stretched right up

He was the height of a buttercup

As I kept kneeling down

On the cold stone ground

Looking around

Seeing nothing but clouds of brown

I couldn’t believe it

The rose smelt of chocolate

I took it in my fingertips

He told me to hold it to my lips

It was edible

I asked him was it a vegetable

He looked in shock

And said it was carved from a chocolate block

He was a funny little fella

Told me he had a girlfriend but I was not to tell her

Why ever not I said with a beam

Oh, he told me, she had eyes so green

Jealous? I asked him

Oh yes indeed

Did she work at the factory

Yes he said to me

And today is a special day

I’m asking her to marry me

Oh was that who the rose was for

He said yes but he had more

He had the cutest dimples

And strawberry curls

His trousers were  patterns of spots and swirls

His shoes were pointy and heels so high

He wore a yellow dickey bow tie

He asked me if I had ever met his best pal

 Who was the brother of his girlfriend Val

I said oh no

And told him he was the very first elf I had ever met

He then took out a walking stick the size of a candy cigarette

And started to head to the back of the factory

Come on he beckoned

Follow me

Oh was this going to be the end of the chocolate mystery

There was a tiny house

With a garden made from cornflakes

Sat on a toadstool

Was an elf called Jake

There  he is that is my mate

Then I was handed a white chocolate plate

Come on, sit down

Well, the mushroom was so flat to the ground

I just knelt beside the two little creatures

I looked at Jake with his buttoned features

He had cherry lips and cheeks like peaches

He shouted towards the house

Just then running across the path was a sugared mouse

The little door opened

A round cheerful face started speaking

I have not got a clue what she said but I think a nice greeting

Then there was an almighty fuss

Just then the horn went on the Nessie bus

Quick get inside the house

What? I thought,

It was the size for a mouse

 Then the most amazing thing happened

As I approached the door

I felt myself being drawn to the floor

I became the height I was when I was four

But it didn’t scare me

As I was welcomed into the chocolate family

Jim told me

Not to  be  seen

Or he will be given the treatment

Of the evil queen

Oh my word what is that

She dips you in a bowl of cream

Then feeds you to the factory cat

You see, he continued

We are not allowed to mix with folks like you

Then I asked “why did you?

He said you are not like your people

You are like us

You won’t hurt us lot

Or chase us away

Then I  listened  to what he had to say

Our factory is ran by the king and queen

We do our work and keep it clean

We are given our houses on   this village green

On one condition we are never seen

Those who have been

Are taken away

Never to return

Not yet to this day

Where do they go? I asked feeling low

A place so cold where there is forever snow

This is what we are told anyway

Then the round rosy lady

Came to me

Put on my plate

Beautiful shells you  would ever see

She then muttered some words to me

Jim explained what she had said to me

As it was a language I had never heard

He said the shells were collected by the milky seabird

How absurd

What on earth was that

Oh we have a pet family of a giraffe, bird and a cat

At that point I began to laugh

Why a giraffe

We are so small

And he is so tall

This can be handy

To our chocolate family

Then the door opened and in walked a tired looking young thing

Oh he was so excited my new friend  Jim

He knelt on one knee and produced a ring

Please darling Val, will you marry me

As she smiled teeth so white

And  hair so wild

 She said yes I will

Oh what a thrill

To witness such love

Then chocolate cups were filled with champagne

This was amazing

 Totally insane

Then Jake took out an old looking violin

And started to play a tune

For Val and Jim

Round rosy lady took my hand

Muttered some words that I could understand

She wanted me to dance with her

I did on a rug of pretend fur

 Bubble gum balloons were flying around

The most wonderful music

A beautiful sound

What a day

I didn’t want to come away

But then my alarm went off and I had to wake for the day

Was it a dream

Absolutely no way

Oh I can’t wait to go back one day

Chocolate in the air

The chocolate wedding day

By Fiona Cummings

Passing by the factory

It’s the day when two elves will marry

Val and Jim will cut their cake

The best man for sure is Jake

Bubble gum balloons hang from the trees

Oh let them be happy forever please

I stood behind the bus shelter peeping

As it was early dawn everyone was sleeping

All accept the chocolate people

Wow look at tiny Tixi getting out of the car

Her silver hair like a bright shining star

Nessie bus comes tooting along

Out jumps Melody singing a song

Alvin the cook carries a milk tray

Norman the Forman is wanting to play

Paddy warns him not today

Norm if you’re   going to be naughty   go away

Who is in the ice cream van

With a hat like a big marang

Oh yes I think she is called Pam

Hay look there is Marj. telling the guests where to go

By this point Ellie and  Carter are putting on a show

Oh they are so funny dancing about

Silly things need to behave or Marj will shout

A chocolate church with its  candy steeple

Under an archway of sugared roses

Where Noddy proudly  stands and poses

Nancy and Noddy steel a cherry kiss

Everyone is excited there is just one elf who is a miss

Oh look here she comes in a  white chocolate car

The windows rolo  down and I see a chocolate coin

 The groom looks like he is going to fall over, oh boing

 Poor strawberry haired Jim

Jake lends him his arm to steady him

Just then I couldn’t believe what I saw

A tall giraffe walked around as though   to explore

Looking up in the sky

I wondered why

Then the milky bar bird swooped down to the ground

A rag doll cat with a flying saucer hat

  Chased the sugared mouse in to the tiny house

How did I ever fit in there

I wish I could shrink again and this day I would share

Then a bang and flair

Next thing I was there

Right in the middle

Where Jake was playing a violin or was it a fiddle

Val walked  down the honey coated isle

Wearing lace and a milk bottle smile

She carried the smallest bouquet I have ever seen

Oh look over there I’m sure that is the king and Queen

My elf friends are in so much trouble if I am seen

Let me hide behind this jelly bean

How on  earth  is it possible to get this small

And how does the giraffe  stay so tall

Looking around I’m like a crumb on the  ground

I guess there is no need to hide as I look like the others

Oh in walk the elf children all the sisters and brothers

Singing a song in words I didn’t understand

I just felt so happy in this chocolate land

Toffee trumpets played in a band

I caught Jim’s eye and he winked at me

Then to my left was the rosy faced lady

She beamed at me so full of warmth

Like a hot chocolate drink on a winters night

I smiled at her in pure delight

Then I witnessed the most beautiful sight

A chocolate fountain of dark and white

The children’s choir stood holding a large tea cup

Chocolate flowed filling it up

Then carefully they carried it to the bride and groom

As the King announced of the couples honeymoon

Drink this gift

In a basket you will sit

And be carried away by a balloon

To a faraway place

Where you have never been

Let this be a present from me and my queen

It was just then that I realised I had been seen

Oh no

The snow

What shall I do

I jumped in an enormous  chocolate shoe

Then the rosy lady said boo

Pulling me out

Putting her finger to her lips

She looked like a spout

On a round china tea pot

Oh silly me I got it wrong

As Jake came over to me when we were all to sing a song

He explained the king and queen would soon be on an aeroplane

Then I was free to enjoy the day again

He told me I had not been noticed and it was a tradition

 That the  chocolate royalty gave  a gift of loyalty

A present of  passion

Whatever holiday was in fashion

Balloons were a hit in the factory

And this is what the couple wanted you see

Few thank Goodness no one got in trouble

Then a collection was given and the dish was full of truffles

I had nothing to give as was not expecting this

So Jake told me just to make a wish

I did that very moment

And sealed it with such sentiment

Then floated through a cloud of chocolate dust

Grabbing buttons as they were a must

 Looking down to the ground

The bells were a beautiful sound

Chocolate handles ringing away

Melting candles burnt that day

I glided over a golden carriage

What a dream what an amazing marriage

 

 

A CHOCOLATE BABY ELF BY FIONA CUMMINGS

The wind is so  wild

Chocolate blows in the sky

  Dying to know how Jim and Val were doing

Never expected to see them cooing

A baby elf on its way

One celebration follows another

After their wedding day

Oh Val is blooming

But  Norm is fuming

As he needs Val to work at the factory

Not to be in her mushroom house with baby

There is a chocolate promise from Ellie

Who will work extra shifts free of charge

Sorting out the new rotor is Marge

It’s all go at the palace of delight

Oh it is the most amazing sight

All of the colours of their tiny hats

Their not as big as the ragdoll cat

Ellie in purple and Paddy in green

Then of course there is the chocolate King and queen

I must not be seen

So will hide behind the wall

In the distance is the giraffe standing so tall

He is teasing a bird in the tree

Picking it from the leaf onto his nose

Then bending down to smell a rose

So flexible he looks

Then there is Noddy

Whom I heard is cooking the books

If the king and queen find out

Oh they will shout

And Noddy with bell will be replaced

That will  be a disgrace

 He is  shuffling a bit of money to pay for a gift

As Jim and Val’s babe, is the first born on this shift

Tixi the small silver haired  pixie

 Is lifting chopped wood

As a cradle will be made

Oh she is so good

She is working all day and carving all night

But if you could see it

Baby will sleep soundly tucked in all tight

As especially if a lullaby is sang by Melanie

What a lucky baby shall be born to this factory