WOYWW #907 - Never Ending...

I'd be lying if I said I was doing better, handling the situation better as I most certainly am not. 

In all of last week's chaos I did manage 7 sessions of the 24 available from the Bible Journaling Conference. 

I picked my favourite presenters from previous years who I follow throughout the year, plus a couple of printables which spoke to me. 

Last Wednesday 14th October I started with the conference ticket in my journal then did the first session by the host presenter in my little NT Bible. Any images I had left over from the session I added to my ticket page.

I then did the Take a Step of Faith page as the imagery really spoke to me. 

On the Thursday I used left over images on my previous page, you know the one I have been doing layers on but didn't know where it was going....

Friday I did my favourite presenter's page Lynn Grobler from JOTW 

Even If.........

and Anri's page too, love her style.

Saturday I managed Amanda's watercolour in my Bible despite being anxious all day with the workers there 3 hours over the time they should have been.

Sunday I did a couple of pages to finish up my current journal.

This last image really shows where I am as it's been a lot of tears with a complete melt down most days. 

So struggling I still am, it's never ending.

Do join in with our illustrious host Julia at the link below, she began this weekly blog hop way back in May 2009 - I joined the fun in March 2012.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #906 - Still Struggling

I managed to finish the mini Bible Journaling series from Devotion in Action. Honestly it is print image; trace image in Bible; then fill in with watercolours whilst watching a video. That's about all I can manage currently.

The Annual Bible Journaling Conference starts this afternoon but not sure I'll be doing much, if any, this year as I just don't have the mental capacity nor the will to do anything other than watch TV.

I did start a layer a day for October with Jenna Burne but fell off the wagon on day #7. Covered most of it with gesso on day #8 and added a some coloured paints but that's all...

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #905/(125) - With a Heavy Heart...

 ...I write this post with sadness as our beloved leader for the past 124 weeks, Sarah has sadly and unexpectedly passed away.  

It was a shock and has left us all stunned. 

Our original host Julia has taken back the helm this week so we can carry on our weekly blog hop and share our thoughts of Sarah.

Thank you for leading us for the past 2 years 4 months and 2 weeks dear Sarah. 

For sharing all your lovely daily art, and commenting so thoughtfully.

22nd May 2024 for WOYWW #781 

"SO glad to be keeping this friendship circle going BJ. Mister Linky is up on my blog if you would like to link up. WOnderful work on your desk as always. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah"

23rd September 2026 for WOYWW #903

"SO glad you have been able to do a little crafting BJ. Those ATCs are brilliant ( I am sure I recognise the house stamp). Hope all went well with your son's visit. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah"

Sadly we never actually met but your presence will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace Sarah my love.

Happy WOYWW Memories 

WOYWW #904 - Brain Gone!

So there I was sitting on the sofa with a cuppa and asked hubby if there was a plan today? 

Then I realised it was Wednesday and I hadn't even done my post let alone linked up! 

Up I jumped and here I am. Oh my life!

Have actually got something to show this week as Devotion in Action returned after a long hiatus, so I have painted in my Bible. 

It was one of my favourite Isiah verses too so had to fit it on the page...the bamboo part for verse Isaiah 43:18-19.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” 

Making ZEN started this week and Monday had a watercolour session so as my paints were out I did that one first.

I followed it with a sewing piece which I will put in my little denim book. Awaiting some inspiration for the facing page...

Tuesday kinda slipped me by as I was mainly focused on revamping my letter to my ward councillors. 

Must go for a walk now.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #903 - A Few ATCs

Desk has a few ATCs I've managed to do lately. 

Oh and some chocolate wrappers from my last Saturday night dancing. Had to leave early as wasn't feeling great, seem to have a bit of a cold on top of the ear trouble.

Forced myself to finish off the last 2 weeks of the Seek/Gather/Create August challenge.

Also to do the JOTW September challenge.

Stuck with ATCs though as don't feel much like crafting still.

Got son visiting again from this evening for his annual Dental visit and car service/MOT. Hoping I can cope better this time as last time was all too much with the works as well. Have a plan for hubby to park his car out the front whilst we're at the dentist so I have somewhere to park when we get home (he has a garage out the back).

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #902 - Pants!

Yes quite literally my craft life has been reduced to mending pants! 

It's quite distressing to look back on the week and find no crafting as such, still no real desire to either.

I did however dye my hair again on Sunday. The temperature had increased so I didn't go to church as I just can't cope with the heat.

Don't be confused, the smile belies how I am actually feeling.

I have managed a few walks, avoiding building works as much as possible. 

The footpath is so open now without the trees and undergrowth it's like walking the gauntlet in working hours, best avoided. 

(Fireplace in a hedge)

One direction from my front door had a builder retching on the grass so had to avoid that as well. 

The other way vans and early crane deliveries. All very unpleasant.

(part of a piano perhaps?)

So quite some curiosities I have seen whilst out.

This crazy wall is at the edge of the shell garage probably from the former Galleon Swimming Pool complex from the 1940s. 

Glad they kept that with the recent electrical cabinet changes. In fact they have left it clear to walk round and view.

I missed the wrought ironwork on top of the wall, for these photos but maybe this would be a good embroidery project? 

We'll see.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #901 - Coming to Terms with it all Slowly.

Oh my life, yet another stressful week. Trying ways to deal with all the construction disturbances and really thankful for the persistent rain yesterday making 2 of the developments pack up earlier than usual. Also that it was nice and cool so the windows being shut all day wasn't too bad either.

The Magnificent Horse Chestnut tree has now gone but they left a log so I commandeered that to enable me to look over the wall/trellis. We've just bought privacy curtaining to cover the inside of the trellis during all this construction as the HGVs drive straight past our wall, and I can see them from my sofa in the lounge!

Still not managed any crafting, but hoping to feel better about the situation by the end of the month for the next ZEN installment. I seem to like sewing projects these days.

Here's a shadow photo just for Julia. It's from along the footpath where all the trees have been felled, the tracks are from the stump grinder.

We managed a geocache yesterday and left a duck due to all the lovely rain. I love the rain, give me rain, happy happy day.

I have continued my letter writing and have now written to my local MP. 

I have also spoken with the council enforcement team and exchanged more emails but take umbrage to being told I am the only person "complaining" and that Shanly have done a letter drop but I canvassed the other street and they most certainly haven't!

I have also raised the issue of the fragmented road markings on the street near our garage as the straight on is the give way and the HGVs etc don't seem to notice it. I had to shout to this lady to BEWARE and she jumped back on the pavement!

I have also raised the issue of Saturday afternoon and Sunday working with the council from one other development as we don't seem to get any relief if that keeps happening. I have spoken with the developer many times about this so I think I have been reasonable enough.

Thank you for all the lovely comments of support last week and I'm really sorry not to have replied to any. It is only now that I seem to have felt able to sit at my PC for me as I wasn't even going to blog this week.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

A Very Sad Day

 A very sad day,

even the sky is crying

😢🌳🪵😢

Reigate and Banstead Council approved TPO BAN55 G1 being felled for housing development - 23/02015/F Banstead Off Wellesford Close SM7 2HL

This is just one of 10 plus tress also being felled for this development.

Shanly still haven't stood by there own Construction Management Plans to communicate with the local residents via a regular newsletter, to share what they are doing with this major development down (what was once) a quiet cul-de-sac. They didn't even issue all local residents with a notice of commencement.

Residents are totally blindsided by this developer.

This and other various other planning breaches which unfortunately the Council Planning Enforcement section don't seem to be able to enforce.

Shame on you Shanly

And today not to mention the noise from the chipping machine and generator as well as the chainsaws, plus the rumble of the constant digging on the site. Oh and the nail guns saws and hammering either side for the other 2 developments doing roofs.

Total nightmare.

WOYWW #900 - Trees all but GONE!

I've decided to finish my first living line yesterday 1st September. I started it on 31st May. I thought it fitting to have the tree on the outside when rolled up.

The last 3 panels are a local wildlife field, the Horse Chestnut soon to be felled and a plant I have seen everywhere alone the streets despite the drought. 

There was NO saving of the trees, all approved to be felled by the council, TPO or not. 

Spoken to 2 Tree Officers and the Rights of Way local assistant and no one seems to care much about anything these days it's a very sad state of affairs.

Still no communication from Shanly, a blatant disregard for local residents.

Total chaos here yesterday. Crane and articulated lorry with the roof for next door but they didn't think to get a car moved beforehand! 

They got hold of the keys and a builder moved it eventually.

Half the trees on the footpath felled without closing the footpath, nightmare for all but the most agile (I walked along about 4 times and they had to stop each time!).

Absolutely shattered and son coming for visit, not sure I can cope. 

I was supposed to be doing an online thingy this week too but totally lost the plot these days.

As for my first "00" post that was for #200 on 3rd April 2013, having joined in first a year before that at #145 on 14th March 2012.

My 200th post just happened to be when I first met up with our Helen. All the best for your operation Helen whenever it is....

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #899 - Nada

Sorry nothing to show here except papers about the development and tree felling. 

Shanly still hasn't shared any info so I've written to head of planning, the local press and my 3 councillors. Also the groundworks contractor just trying to get an idea of what's happening and when.

I spoke with the Tree Officer yesterday, its a done deal.

The press have replied to my email and I expect a call soon.

Everywhere is such a mess and I feel a prisoner in my own home with the other 2 developments going on either side as well. 

The roads are either full of HGVs or blocked or closed!

The closed/diversion is for some other roadworks and the signage is rather misleading as the throughfare is still open.

Add to that I am suffering from all the dust with Pulsatile Tinnitus.

Only positive is I managed to go to badminton last week and church too as it was a bit cooler, but had to leave both early. Unfortunately it has been warmer the past couple of days which is distressing.

So yes still struggling somewhat, can't really concentrate on anything crafty and lots of tears.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #898 - Felling a tree from TPO BAN55 G1

Have just found out that Reigate and Banstead Planning have approved the felling of a TPO tree for the Shanly development. All without meaningful local awareness. 

To say I am seething is an understatement to say the least. 

So here's the tree in question, and it's original TPO from back in 1965. 

The Shanly development is taking place on the old allotments.

In all this madness with Shanly I have managed some more embroidery. 

I added some swirly leaves, then a panel from my wedding dress fabric (pink flowers) and the hay like grass having had no rain in months.

I've penned letters to my local ward councillors and the local press, just need the courage to send them now...

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #897 - Quietly Screaming!

Locked in air-con room quietly screaming. Loud music blaring to counteract the noise from the loft conversion nextdoor-but-one and the constant beep-beeping reversing alarms on the building site out the back.

Husband is fiddling with the internet so I need to activate stand alone speaker periodically.

On desk are the Solar Eclipse glasses for later bought them ages ago so really glad I remembered where I stored them!

I did Week 2 of Seek Gather Create.

Prompts:- Cut-outs, A Seed, Texture and Light Green.

I did another ATC. I think ATCs are all I can manage right now so I did an ATC for the JOTW August monthly challenge too.

Prompts:- Lemon motif, Lemon/Green/Blush&White, Texture, Patterned Paper and a Scripture.

My Scripture is, James 1:2, My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.

Not sure I am managing the Joy though!

Nearly forgot my embroidery, just doing something abstract. 

It's making me think of a split rock (geode or agate), or a shell. Not really thinking about the design other than the colour progression.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.