Saturday 12 January 2013

What a Palaver

We had a more than usually expensive Christmas this year, that's for sure. Just a week before Xmas, I left the house one morning to find our new-to-us car (bought in April) clamped outside our house.  CLAMPED!  I'll tell you for why.  Mr J and P and I had foolishly failed to notice that the tax disc had expired in September.  Not only that but we  also failed to register the car in our name.

While I'm burbling on, take a look at just a few thing I got from Xmas.  This is a build your own reindeer. I think it's supposed to be a Xmas decoration.  I don't care.  A reindeer is for life, you know, not just for Xmas.

The woman on the phone from the DVLA said "What!  You mean you've had the car since April and you've not registered it in your name?".  Yes, that would be us.  We had to pay £260 to unclamp the car, £100 for the tax disc, £25 to register the car and a further £100 fine for leaving an untaxed car in the road.  I know exactly what you're thinking.  Yup, we are first class idiots of the highest order *shakes head sadly*.


An ostrich feather duster with (wait for it) a telescopic handle. I know!
Too exciting for words.

Just a few days later, Mr J and P and I locked ourselves out of the house.  I wanted to call a locksmith but luckily, the tight old git Mr J and P bothered the neighbours at the back of the house (our next door neighbours weren't in) and managed to borrow a step ladder which he used to climb over the fence into our back garden.

Look at what my clever s-i-l made me.  She covered a cream cracker tin with this funky fabric and inside.......

Joy of joys, the dining room window was slightly ajar and Mr J and P knew his keys were in the pocket of his coat which was slung over a chair.  He found a tree pruning  implement which we've never used, lying in the undergrowth that passes for a garden, and fished through the small opening, hooked the keys from the jacket  pocket. and returned like a burglar in broad daylight back over the rear fence.  Huzzah!


......lots of lovely fabric bits.......

And isn't it nice to meet the neighbours?  But preferably not looking like complete idiots.  Again.



.....ripe for the patchworking methinks.

Mallorca was lovely, thank you for asking;  a welcome break from our pre-Xmas nonsense.

You didn't think you'd get away without seeing some holiday snaps did you?

The cathedral at Palma which was partly restored partly by Gaudi:

Love these circular paper garlands.  May have to copy.

 Love a bit of graffiti art (in Palma again):



Pretty Deia where Robert Graves lived...




and died:



The sea was very stormy here.  Note the rainbow in the background:




Spotted this interesting sight in someone's back garden:



OK, I'm off now but just to let you know that I've finished my vintage sheet duvet cover and will reveal all in the next post.  Just when you thought it couldn't get any more exciting....

xx

24 comments:

  1. Oooops!
    Love the christmas gifts, especially the fabrics.
    Looks like you had a wonderful break after all that!
    Julie xxxxxxxxx

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  2. Oh dear ... disasters never happen singly, do they? Love the idea of covering a cracker box with fabric - what a difference!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. Hopefully things will just keep getting better and better! Looking forward to the reveal! :) x

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  4. Oh I can completely imagine doing something similar, we are hopelessly forgetful and disorganised! And who knew Mr J&P had burglary skills? We've just been broken into... It wasn't him was it? Tell him I want my handbag back!
    Mallorca looks as beautiful as ever. I love Palma, though have yet to visit Deia. Why haven't I got a mannequin in my back garden?
    Lovely gifts, and lovely to have you back, Loo! xxxxxx

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  5. Exciting yes! great blog entry ,so pleased you have a great sense of humour and can turn this into a funny ,bless you. Loved your holiday pix and Chistmas presents ,can't wait to see the patchwork ...love Jan xx

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  6. Hello, Mallorca looks luuurvly! Looking forward to seeing your vintage sheet duvet cover! x

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  7. Glad to know that these things don't just happen to me! Remember coming home fom holiday in middle of night, children all asleep, could have just been carried into bed, but husband couldn't find the one thing he was in charge of ... the door keys ... 4 shivering children, irate spouse, front door kicked open ... great homecoming! I think it was Mallorca we'd just come back from too! Love your pictures of Palma

    Claire xxx

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  8. Damn woman, you sure like to live dangerously! Love the stealth burglar skills Mr J & P has, obviously a good man to have around in an emergency.

    Glad the holiday went well, interesting photo that last one, terrible way to go about getting splinters!

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  9. I, for one, am on the edge of my seat Loo, I cannot wait to see your vintage sheet duvet cover. I bet it's lovely. Sorry about your car etc, but try a $2000 vet bill on for size! Unexpected and nasty, especially at Christmas!
    Never mind, onwards and upwards as they say - here's to a fabbo 2013 eh?!
    x

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  10. Oh Loo....big OOOPPPS..
    Lucky lady too I see with that gorgeous Ostrich feather Duster..no really i would put it in a funky vase with some Fleurs?
    Until later
    d J

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  11. Seriously impressed with the Mr's crafty approach to getting the keys back! What a bummer about the car though and aren't the DVLA the worst for that patronising "wow, that was stupid of you" attitude? I've suffered with them before.

    Excited to see this duvet cover!

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  12. I do love reading your blog...you have me laughing out loud at your antics! Love the Jacobs cracker box...might have a go at that one myself, Claire x

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  13. Welcome home, and what lovely vacay pics, Loo. I have never been to any of those fabulous-looking places but hubby has, the stinker. My brain is so mushy now that I can't remember **anything**, so your car situation seems perfectly plausible! Thanks for the well-wishes and all the best to you and your crew this year. xo

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  14. Great gifts, not so great organisation on the car, great breaking and entering and great holiday pics.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  15. I can sympathise with the car scenario. I once got clamped for parking in my own car park space and the clampers wouldn't release the car without me paying over the money - daylight robbery or what.
    June

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  16. Well you certainly had an eventful time! We locked ourselves out once but luckily our neighbour drove us to the next town to get spare keys from the agent!

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  17. Oh my word, big ouch in the wallet department there!
    Glad you had a fab hols, the mannequin beats a regular garden gnome don't you think?!
    Love the reindeer.
    Lisa x

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  18. Uh-oh! Sounds very eventful in more ways than one! Lovely holiday pics though, especially the one of Deia. And - I can't wait to see your vintage sheet duvet cover - I bet it'll be awesome xx

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  19. Ouch - sorry to hear of car/tax debacle - last thing needed at this time of year. On the brighter side - looking forward to duvet!
    Belated best wishes for 2013
    Jenny

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  20. oops!!! Getting locked out is the sort of thing I do and have done. really love that ostrich feather duster!

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  21. Oh dear! I'm afraid I don't have much sympathy for you getting so out of date with your car costs but the timing could have been better - ouch! Your pictures from Mallorca are beautiful, looks like a lovely break. Can't wait to see this quilt...!!!

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  22. Oh no - what a bugger (car registration is MUUUUUCH more expensive here!). Bug glad you had a lovely holiday - the pics are fab (the rainbow beachy one is my fave) and you do have a wicked sense of humour about your misfortune! Sarah xxx

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  23. Pants what an expensive month you had i always keep a diary couldn't live without it and write everything in it it stays in my kitchen draw. So glad you had a lovely holiday. Look forward to seeing your quilt. dee xx

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    Replies
    1. That was a lot of cash and a lot of climbing for a few "brain farts"
      I love your Cathedral at Palma photo because I'm a crazy admire of Antoni Gaudi!

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