Had my purse stolen on Sunday- and I got 2 of my cards today- so I can access money , buy food and do stuff with kids on my one remaining day of the holiday!

Also taught a pupil this morning who pre- grade 5 nearly gave up. Well- with an exam board change- she is practising more than ever and is making excellent progress and said "I would like to do theory again' YAY!

How rotten to have your purse stolen : glad you're able to access money again now though.

Only just heard about the volcano, and seen this thread - you must be really pleased it is all over, andante.

Taking my little cousin to see Nanny McPhee at the cinemas

Yes, I am, thanks. He was very lucky not to have been any later. He'd already spent seven hours in Bangkok airport and seven hours in Colombo, Sri Lanka waiting for the flight to Heathrow and just wanted to get home.

Happy outcome, Andante! glad he made it.

My daughter and her fiance are moving to Kenilworth today. Fiance is a pilot, and was waiting to fly yesterday: they both need to be there in person today to pick up the key. Most of yesterday we had visions of his flying out and not getting back. Fortunately the airline gave up at the end of the afternoon and sent the pilots home.

That's where Gedall lives.

I've finally finished sewing my daughter's dance costumes.

Now just got to sort out my son's - but there's nothing to make for his.

And also a good music making day with Oldnotes. Very enjoyable as always.

I certainly do, and if they ever need any help just PM me, maggiemay.

you sound exactly like the two mothers responsible for the costumes at our dance school! what type of dancing is it, DawnF?

Went for brilliant 5 mile walk around Bewdley today. In t shirts. Lovely.

Tap and ballet.

Daughter needs to be a boy in the Lambeth Walk- Black trousers, white shirt, waistcoat to be decorated with buttons and sequins (picked up a silver sequined "waistcoat" in a ladies size and adapted it - added red buttons and red sequin trim on the tails) and flat cap again covered in buttons and sequins.

Then I needed to make a tutu for the Ballet. It is not easy to see the folds on net when sewing so it went a little lop sided - i.e the lower skirts are slightly shorter than the outer ones. I'm hoping it won't matter. My daughter loves it anyway.

My son is doing teh Bear Necessities and April Showers so bear or boy (shorts ond T-shirt) outfit for the first and a raincoat for the latter is the order of the day. Not too bad to put together. I have a couple of thoughts - checked shirt and tailored school shorts or casual "leafy" shorts if they fit and bright T shirt with a snake on. Other option, plain bright shorts if i can find some and a plain T shirt - visit to Sainsbury's required.

Make a tutu?! Wow, you must be incredibly craft-y (not like cunning, like creative )- we always cheat and buy plain tutus, then embellish them the costumes sound really nice, I'm not surprised your children love them

The kids are only 5 and 7.

To make a tutu: 2m length of net of appropriate colour by about 1.36m width (full width) Fold in half. Cut along fold. (or doing this later is easier) Then sew a chanel down the middle (i.e. lengthways) , about 1cm wide. (this is the tricky bit because it's hard to see exactly where the centre is - In future I'd mark it with chalk. Thread through the elastic (attaching to a safety pin or paper clip helps but wrap it in tape to avoid snagging the net). Pull up to gather elastic to size of waistand tie off. This makes four layers of skirt. Easy.

I do have a sewing machine.

My brain just skipped a beat when I saw this. My dad was a Methodist minister and my mum, who had made several dresses over the years for my two sisters, once made a cassock for my dad to wear in services.

I saw tutu, thought Desmond Tutu, visualised him in his cassock and there you have it!

Oh, deary me....

I have had a simply AMAZING day.

First, we (I was with Matthew, just for a change! ) went to his house to see his dad. Then we ended up going to see some newborn ducklings at a relative's farm, and having a cup of tea in the garden. *Then* Matthew, his dad and I had a nice little late lunch/early tea out before M and I cycled the 18 miles or so back to mine, through beautiful country lanes in wonderful sunshine (not too hot though). We even had the customary stop at a wee country pub by a canal. I actually do not want this day to ever end! (Pizza on its way and some custard doughnuts in the cupboard too...!)



... my ###### hurts now though

Edit: Now toasting marshmallows on a tea candle

Sounds good, Floss.

I went to the Bowes Museum today with a couple of friends and we had a lovely time. I also went out for an early evening drive into the dales and it was so beautiful.

That is really kind - thank you Gedall. I'll let them know

Seeing my son enjoy himself being Tin Man in the local production of The Wizard of Oz!

It was yesterday, but it was sunny (no sign of the ask cloud ), and I finished my 5km swim.

Life in general!

My brother is playing Professor Marvel in his school's procuction of The Wizard of Oz at the end of the month - I'm going back to Belfast then to see him!


Wootwoot!

I'm just happy because I spent a wonderful few days with my Dad and brothers. I even went up to see my auntie, uncle and cousins on Friday, which was so great seeing as I haven't seen them in ages! I've always been very close to them all.

Well, it was yesterday - but the first meeting of the shiny new London Kodály Choir went really well. We had 30 people turn up, which was more than we expected - and it was great to see lots of old faces but lots of new ones too.

We sang some beautiful music - for me, heaven is definitely singing gorgeous music in solfa for an afternoon!

I got an awesome Tintin t-shirt for £2.99 from a charity shop. It was a men's size large so I'm drowning in it, but at least it'll make for a good pyjama top or something. Or even a nightie, seeing as it's so long

Sunshine and compliments on my haircut it definitely is forum haircut season!

What has not made me happy, however, is going back to school. What makes it worse is that the year 11s are gloating about only having 4 weeks left of proper school.

Lots and lots and lots of violin practice - have got Schubert's L'Abeille up to a pretty decent speed now!

The sunshine

One of my very first pupils from years back has just been offered the lead role (Don Jerome) in Prokoviev's "Betrothal in a Monastery". He had a minor role in the Glynbourne production but this time will be up front in Toulouse - Théatre du Capitol - and then at the Opéra Comique in Paris. We are only about 2/3 hour's drive away from Toulouse so I may even get to hear him - January 2011. It is even greater news in that he has made a complete recovery from a very serious illness and has got both his life and his voice back. His name is Brian Galliford and he has a website if anyone is intersted enough to Google him.

I met Brian - aged eight - when I was teaching first year juniors and I taught him piano until he was eleven when I moved house and he went on to the Junior Department at the Guildhall School of Music. He now lives in Amsterdam and has built up a solid career as a tenor.

I am very happy today!! and just had to share this with you all.

You are completely justified - well done in starting him off on his journey.

Back at school today- good to see my pupils again and 2 had practised really hard and had made excellent progress!
Also had a new pupil too......

Noticing how little and beautiful my violin is

My teacher telling me how pleased she is with my progress on my Dyrham Park pieces.

a nice glass of red !

Sounds like a very proud moment Nicki

Yes he did well! He is sandwiched between 2 academic girls who are good at music etc- it's good when he gets to shine
!

I'm not a "volcano widow" any more ... he just landed and is on his way home

Excellent news, you must be thrilled!

I showed my teacher a couple of my figured bass realisations today. Usually he plays them, gets a funny look on his face, then says "hmm" before suggesting some improvements.

Today he played them, said "nice", played it again for pure enjoyment, said "good", then told me what he liked about them.

I think that I must be getting the hang of it.

Maths, music and Mars Ice Cream!

Brilliant!

Getting my tickets for Lounge on the Farm in July. Courtney Pine and Toots and Maytals I'm only going on Sunday, so I won't see Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, which is a shame, but still pretty good going

Getting some of my photography featured on deviantART

Wow, that sounds like my kind of line-up. Sadly (for me) I have treated my children to the Capital FM Summer Ball for their birthday presents. Line up: JLS, Dizzee Rascal, Rihanna, Kesha, Cheryl Cole, blah blah blah

I shall bring a good book, I think.

I concur with the maths and the music, but what is Mars Ice Cream when it's at home?!

Getting the result of my clarinet exam only four days after I did it! I am now Grade 4 jazz clarinet (beginner no more).

Have you never had one? They are deeelicious! Essentially a Mars bar but with icecream filling!

Congratulations muffinmonster!

Well done, muffinmonster! That's fab, glad it came through so quickly for you



I've never even heard of them, never mind had one! It sounds a bit odd if you ask me

I can't believe you've never heard of them! It was soo exciting when they first came out, I reckon about 15 years ago, along with kitkat and snickers

What's made me happy?? um.... leaving work in about an hour