Family Trees Shrink the World

I’d planned all sorts of jobs today, getting bookwork up to date, wordprocessing, finishing my latest watercolour, but before I started  I checked my emails. One was from a gentleman in Canada who is researching a branch of the Pallister family tree and needed help to fill in some gaps. So I logged onto the ancestry site  and chased dead ends for nearly three hours. Progress in our research has been impeded because the vicar of Raskelf or his predecessor have mislaid the parish records.

Whilst on the site I noticed that another researcher had taken some data from the Cantrill family tree and they were from New Jersey. They had got it a bit wrong so I left a comment which should help their research.

All in all a busy day but not veryconstructive . Tomorrow I’ll get the chores done then check my emails.

Thank You Gordon Brown!

The mail today included a letter informing me that I can’t have my state pension until 2018. I knew this was happening but it is still  irritating that an incompetent Chancellor then Prime Minister can” steal” thousands of pounds from me and many others and then swanny off into the sunset charging large fees to lecture people about money management. This is the man who sold of our gold reserves at a rock bottom price.

He is not alone. Successive governments have wasted money on crackpot schemes, bringing in new legislation that prevents hard working people getting ahead whilst rewarding layabouts and scroungers. The people making the decisions seem to have no grasp of real life and make you wonder if they have ever held down a proper job where they are personally responsible for the outcome of their actions.

Going back to the pension I wouldn’t be surprised if by 2017 I get a letter saying pensions have gone the same way as the dinosaurs and taken my NI contributions with them. Lets hope the National Health Service doesn’t become extinct also.

Pollyanna Game, the art of positive thinking

I don’t make new year resolutions as they would only get broken. Instead, in the first few days of the new year I reflect on the old one, try to work out what was wrong with it and how to avoid the same old mistakes. Positive thinking may be the answer and it is what I’m aiming at this year.

As a child I used to read the Pollyanna books about an orphan who goes to live with a stern aunt and teaches the whole community her game, which is to find something good or positive in everything.

Take the other day, I was weighing out sweets for a customer and the bottom of the bag gave way. No problem, these were wrapped sweets. The customer before had wanted bubblegum millions, unwrapped tiny balls of candy,they would had been all over the shop if their bag had been defective.

The shop is very quiet at the moment for various reasons, cold weather, post Christmas lack of cash,economic situation created by bankers.  When we first opened the shop it was quiet so I painted in the afternoon but the last few years its been far too busy and I’ve hardly picked up a brush. I was concerned that it would take some time getting back into it but no, so far I’ve painted three dogs on a beach for a customer and a portrait of my sisters’ horse. I have started a landscape of Robin Hoods Bay which should be finished by the end of the week.

So I have turned a negative situation, the lack of footfall in the shop ,into a positive one  rediscovering the joy of watercolour painting.

Great Start To 2012

What a difference a year makes! January 2011 was snowy, icing and Freeeeezing!!!!

Yesterday afternoon was so warm I was out in the yard, weeding  and netting the bulbs to protect them from our little feathered friends (we don’t have a garden so make do with pots and baskets). My garlic is  two inches high already and the snowdrops are nearly in flower. I love this time of year,the old year with all its mistakes  is behind me and being a Sagittarian, an eternal optimist, I expect a lovely Spring and glorious hot Summer.

Fountains Abbey in the snow 2011

Art Materials at Annes

At Annes we stock  a good selection of art and craft materials including Winsor & Newton, Daler Rowney,Derwent. We have regular deliveries so if an item is out of stock we can order it so you. Our suppliers have regular offers and promotions which we pass on to our customers.  So if your New Year resolution is to take up painting drop in and see us.

Boroughbridge l…

Boroughbridge late night shopping went very well. The town was busy especially the High Street and plenty of people visited Boroughbridge Hardware at its new premises. We had our busier ever Late Night Opening. I’d like to thank all who popped into Anne’s we appreciate your support and it was lovely to see you.

Late Night Shopping Reminder

Only one day to go before late night shopping in Boroughbridge. I have been making up hampers and sweet gifts for the tree and the table.Chris and Pauline, Boroughbridge Hardware are working flat to move over to their new premises at the former Musketeers and HorsefairEquestrian supplies is also open. So make a point of shopping on Horsefair for all your Christmas gifts. You won’t be disappointed.

Boroughbridge Late Night Shopping 2011

Wednesday 30 November is late night shopping night in Boroughbridge. Starting from 5.30pm there will be carols in Hall Square, mulled wine and mince pies and plenty of special offers in the shops. Father Christmas will also be visiting Boroughbridge.

At Anne’s, on Horsefair we will be doing sweet tasting and our Gift Hampers, Victorian Jars and Sweet Gifts to hang on the tree will be on display. We look forward to seeing you all

Happy Customer

The customer I mentioned yesterday chose two gift hampers each containing six 150gm bags of the traditional weigh out sweets ranging from hard boiled minty and fruity sweets, liquorice, toffee and chocolate filled sweets and decorated with a festive cracker. They were made up with sweets of her choosing whilst she did here shopping at Morrisons and was very pleased with the look and price.

Gift Hampers and Jars

Its a typical grey November day in Boroughbridge which means the shop is quiet so I am planning Christmas, making up the hampers and victorian jars which proved so popular last year. You can choose  the contents or purchase something made up already. There is a variety of old fashioned weigh out sweets, retro,tuck shop favourites. Our best seller is a victorian jar filled with a selection of Walkers old english assorted toffees and decorated with ribbon and a festive gift tag. Another favourite is the box with a selectio of fizzy sour sweets.

I have to close now because an order for two hampers has just come in to be completed and ready by the time the customer has finished her Morrisons shop.