Louisa Parry

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-29)

louisa — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Had an ace Saturday in Todmorden with @strowger78 &@creosotethewife; then a lovely walk, 2 bbqs & an emergency vet visit yesterday. Busy! #
@tim_waters she was very weak/drugged up yesterday but a bit livier today, still not right though. Sorry for rushing you guys out! in reply to tim_waters #
Am largely failing at using the internet today. Sigh. #
Getting annoyed at how the remnants of things past are still bogging me down. Trying to shake them off but it's slow progress. #
Found out from John B that allotments are a legal right, not a privilege: the council HAS to provide one within a reasonable amount of time #
I feel some serious "give us an allotment" letter writing coming on… Well worth a shot. #
@philcooper yes, I read that. I think I can easily get 6 people nearby to join in. Anyone else in #bd10 up for some allotment letterwriting? in reply to philcooper #
Picked nearly 3kg of blackberries this evening. Got a day of jam making and cold smoking (cheese, chillis & eggs) planned for tomorrow, woo. #
@SlowFoodWYorks can we have two Mushroom forage tickets please? (one for me and one for @johnleach) in reply to SlowFoodWYorks #
Going back to the old house to paint today – the reverse of a year ago (living there, coming to paint here in every spare minute). #
A good day's work from Team Padesco – bedroom (of old house) walls stripped and repainted. Loft & living room to follow on Sunday. #
@thattommyhall no and I think he was a little disappointed that I provided mains electric rather than diesel-fuelled power. in reply to thattommyhall #
Freaked out by how clear the replacement double glazing units are. Got used to seeing everything through a misted up haze. Real life HD. #
Want to learn how to make cheese next weekend? Need another person for course to run! http://www.lowimpact.org/bill_quay_cheesemaking.htm #
Windows replaced by http://www.airedalesecurity.co.uk/ – great guys, did a great job for a great price. Highly recommended. #
Always amazed how out of place bold text can be rendered completely invisible even when I'm looking for it. #
@SlowFoodWYorks Fine by us. Very much looking forward to it :) in reply to SlowFoodWYorks #
Dog just used her "I need a wee" routine to get me off the sofa then stole my seat. #
@thattommyhall dude, you mean there's something wrong with doing that? in reply to thattommyhall #
Am still amazed how well the cats & dog get along. They're happy to be around her & sit/stand on her when she's asleep. So cute :) #
@strowger78 we had a slimline in Armley, think I prefer the flexibility of the full size for doing big stuff occasionally. in reply to strowger78 #
@strowger78 if i was buying one now, i wouldn't care about size, just want one where i can easily suspend the power-sucking heat cycle. in reply to strowger78 #
@strowger78 feline resources, surely? in related news, we met an awesome cat in armley today – a shadow version of a tabby :) in reply to strowger78 #

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-29)

louisa — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Had an ace Saturday in Todmorden with @strowger78 &@creosotethewife; then a lovely walk, 2 bbqs & an emergency vet visit yesterday. Busy! #
@tim_waters she was very weak/drugged up yesterday but a bit livier today, still not right though. Sorry for rushing you guys out! in reply to tim_waters #
Am largely failing at using the internet today. Sigh. #
Getting annoyed at how the remnants of things past are still bogging me down. Trying to shake them off but it's slow progress. #
Found out from John B that allotments are a legal right, not a privilege: the council HAS to provide one within a reasonable amount of time #
I feel some serious "give us an allotment" letter writing coming on… Well worth a shot. #
@philcooper yes, I read that. I think I can easily get 6 people nearby to join in. Anyone else in #bd10 up for some allotment letterwriting? in reply to philcooper #
Picked nearly 3kg of blackberries this evening. Got a day of jam making and cold smoking (cheese, chillis & eggs) planned for tomorrow, woo. #
@SlowFoodWYorks can we have two Mushroom forage tickets please? (one for me and one for @johnleach) in reply to SlowFoodWYorks #
Going back to the old house to paint today – the reverse of a year ago (living there, coming to paint here in every spare minute). #
A good day's work from Team Padesco – bedroom (of old house) walls stripped and repainted. Loft & living room to follow on Sunday. #
@thattommyhall no and I think he was a little disappointed that I provided mains electric rather than diesel-fuelled power. in reply to thattommyhall #
Freaked out by how clear the replacement double glazing units are. Got used to seeing everything through a misted up haze. Real life HD. #
Want to learn how to make cheese next weekend? Need another person for course to run! http://www.lowimpact.org/bill_quay_cheesemaking.htm #
Windows replaced by http://www.airedalesecurity.co.uk/ – great guys, did a great job for a great price. Highly recommended. #
Always amazed how out of place bold text can be rendered completely invisible even when I'm looking for it. #
@SlowFoodWYorks Fine by us. Very much looking forward to it :) in reply to SlowFoodWYorks #
Dog just used her "I need a wee" routine to get me off the sofa then stole my seat. #
@thattommyhall dude, you mean there's something wrong with doing that? in reply to thattommyhall #
Am still amazed how well the cats & dog get along. They're happy to be around her & sit/stand on her when she's asleep. So cute :) #
@strowger78 we had a slimline in Armley, think I prefer the flexibility of the full size for doing big stuff occasionally. in reply to strowger78 #
@strowger78 if i was buying one now, i wouldn't care about size, just want one where i can easily suspend the power-sucking heat cycle. in reply to strowger78 #
@strowger78 feline resources, surely? in related news, we met an awesome cat in armley today – a shadow version of a tabby :) in reply to strowger78 #

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-22)

louisa — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Had a few days off from the internet – quiet, sorting-out-my-head days. Back to work now. #
I've been thirsty for the last 3+ hours. Perhaps I should have a drink. #
Anyone had any experience of MoreThan as an insurer? They're nearly half the price of my existing one – seems too good to be true. #
@TweetsByAlex Only the general web design tip of making sure it works in different widths.Seen many Twitter bgs that only work on widescreen in reply to TweetsByAlex #
@giannitedesco I'm still holding it down: 13.5yrs since both the last time I puked&the last time I ate spaghetti from a can #vomitmoratorium in reply to giannitedesco #
@johnleach nor the bourbon biscuit unit. a tragic shame indeed. in reply to johnleach #
Have spent 12? 13? hours playing with CSS & WordPress today. It's a miracle I've not gone insane, really. #
Making a picnic to eat in the woods while out on our dog walk :) #
I love insurance companies' "type of business" lists: I can work in the docks, as a blacksmith or as a wine seller but *nothing* IT related. #
the closest I can get is "electricity industry" since we use electricity to work. #
@thattommyhall they do say "pick the nearest business area" and in that list, electricity is the nearest area. (not going with them anyway) in reply to thattommyhall #

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-22)

louisa — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Had a few days off from the internet – quiet, sorting-out-my-head days. Back to work now. #
I've been thirsty for the last 3+ hours. Perhaps I should have a drink. #
Anyone had any experience of MoreThan as an insurer? They're nearly half the price of my existing one – seems too good to be true. #
@TweetsByAlex Only the general web design tip of making sure it works in different widths.Seen many Twitter bgs that only work on widescreen in reply to TweetsByAlex #
@giannitedesco I'm still holding it down: 13.5yrs since both the last time I puked&the last time I ate spaghetti from a can #vomitmoratorium in reply to giannitedesco #
@johnleach nor the bourbon biscuit unit. a tragic shame indeed. in reply to johnleach #
Have spent 12? 13? hours playing with CSS & WordPress today. It's a miracle I've not gone insane, really. #
Making a picnic to eat in the woods while out on our dog walk :) #
I love insurance companies' "type of business" lists: I can work in the docks, as a blacksmith or as a wine seller but *nothing* IT related. #
the closest I can get is "electricity industry" since we use electricity to work. #
@thattommyhall they do say "pick the nearest business area" and in that list, electricity is the nearest area. (not going with them anyway) in reply to thattommyhall #

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-15)

louisa — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

@strowger78 I support your new regime. It's much better than the crimes against humanity @johnleach was plotting earlier (Russell Watson). in reply to strowger78 #
After allowing him control of the music delivery tube, I now no longer support @strowger78's regime change. #
Anyone want a relatively cheap 2bed house in Leeds? Needs doing up but full DG, ace CH, next to park/near shops/bus routes, 1mile from city. #
@kaerast we were going to rent it but it needs doing up first & we don't have the time/energy to do that. prefer to sell & forget about it. in reply to kaerast #
@emmakirton Yes, that one. I bought it after renting there for 18months. Trying to sell it now, suspect renting will be too much hassle. :) in reply to emmakirton #
Wishes @strowger78 was in charge of the music again today. @johnleach is refusing to catch my eye or change the music. Bah. #
@emmakirton thanks for the RT :) in reply to emmakirton #

10 goals for 2010 – update

louisa — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:00:28 +0000

A bit late with this update but nevermind, I forgive me.

1. To make a meal using only ingredients I’ve grown, raised, caught or killed myself.
Hurrah! I did this one! I blogged about it when I did it: I made courgette potato frittata thing, with a side salad, and everything in it, except for a teaspoon of oil, was from our garden or the woods at the bottom of our garden.

I can’t remember whether I’ve said it on here or just to people in person, the goal of these goals isn’t the goal itself (…), but the journey I’m taking in order to achieve it. In order to meet this goal, I’ve had to grow my own veg & herbs, learn about wild foods and, in the case of the eggs in this one, acquire & care for chickens. Learning to make sausages, how to kill & butcher a chicken and perfect slow rise bread have all been part of this goal too. Next month, I’m booked on a cheese making course so I learn how to do more exciting things than just paneer and soft cheeses, and I still really, really want to learn how to fish. So I guess what I’m saying is that while I’ve technically achieved this goal, I’m not going to strike it off the list because I want an excuse to continue on the journey. The goal now though is to make another meal – something different than courgettes & eggs – and ideally including something I’ve caught/killed too, for the variety of experience.

2. To travel to a place on my “top ten places to go before I die” list.
The year so far has been very home focused so we’ve travelled the least in years. This isn’t a problem, I’ve not minded in the slightest. There is still time before the end of the year I guess, but we’ve got nothing planned.

3. Finish writing my second novel.
Stagnation. Still been thinking about the other idea but I’m getting a bit bored of that now so maybe I’ll refocus. Probably not though.

4. Make some sausages at home – wet English style ones and cured ones too
This was going to be my birthday fun day project but I ended up cold smoking cheese instead. Now I’ve cracked the smoking thing though, I really want to make sausages that I can smoke. (Insert smutty sausage-smoking joke here).

5. Spend at least a day fishing out on the North Sea.
Since re-reading “Drop City” by TC Boyle again, I’ve had a major hankering to learn how to fish. Definitely bumped back up my priority list. Perhaps in September.

6. Finally finish learning how to drive.
Done nothing on this. Got the anticipated kicking from people for my comments last month.

7. Make a full outfit’s worth of clothing for myself – including spinning any wool used.
Not really done much on this recently. Very much want to get back into sewing again – might have a day off later in the month, get my machine down from the top room and see what happens.

Haven’t done any more spinning yet after the bruised palm incident but I’ve started crocheting a small blanket using the wool I dyed at the start of June – looks ace – and I’m hoping that’s my gateway drug back into crafting after a few garden-focused months.

8. Learn how to program and make a mini-game/application using Ruby
Really need to get over my hashes hump so I can move on.

9. Climb a mountain or at least a jolly big hill.
Because of Lily, we walk daily and while I’d stop short of calling us fit, because of that, I think this goal is a helluva lot more attainable now than it was at the start of the year. Just got to get it organised really.

10. Participate more in the real world – plan/run a real life green event or scheme.
I’ve put a fair bit of time into trying to organise something but it hasn’t come to anything yet. Bit disappointed with myself on this one. Will keep trying.

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-08)

louisa — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

I don't know why I always put off doing our business accounts – I really enjoy it when I finally get around to doing it. #
Just got a second – much much better – quote for replacing our kitchen & office windows. Now have to tell the pestering first guy no. Ugh. #
Doesn't know why she fucking bothers. #
New 3BT post: Refreshing, so glad he asked, greetings http://3bt.louisaparry.co.uk/2010/08/refreshing-so-glad-he-asked-greetings/ #
Need some new music in my life. Stuff with interesting lyrics preferably. Any suggestions? #
@kaerast hehe, they're well fun. I love how clear her accent is when she's singing :) in reply to kaerast #
Listening to Pulp & remembering an old friend. We didn't meet up in the year 2000 liked we'd planned. Not sure I want to see him fully grown #
Last week a window company quoted us £1250 for a job, now saying they'll do it for £840. Shows how much they thought they could rip us off! #
Enjoying _rahim's party rings. (#notaeuphemism) #
New 3BT post: After the chicken run, stepping stone, repeating, evening walk, giveaway smell http://bit.ly/dAvanR #

No related posts.

Louisa & Lily’s walk in West Wood

louisa — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:00:08 +0000

While John was away at a wedding, Louisa and Lily went for a walk in West Wood.

They found a strange metal pond.

A field.

Remains of buildings.

Interesting mushrooms.

Some cows.

And some mud.

A lot of mud.

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-08-01)

louisa — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

.@johnleach is claiming the jointly-bought lego is his. he is lying. time to call the whole thing off? #
Looking at pictures of snowy landscapes and having World of Warcraft flashbacks: fighting Ice Thistle yetis near Everlook. #LikeNamForNerds #
.@johnleach's spaghetti sauce smells awesome, can't wait to eat it. #notaeuphemism #
Considering going back to bed. #
Just sent Lily for a walk for the next-door-but-one neighbour and their dog – her first walk without us. Felt like the first school. #
Lily ran home as soon as she was let off lead. Now sulking at being forced to go in the first place. Reminds me a lot of my time at nursery #
Had a lovely walk to the meadow with Lily & Boron. When we got there, B & I cuddled in the sun while Lily did dog things. Win all round. #
Anyone got any *personal* finance software recommendations (web-based or linux)? (not freelancing/small business ones) #
@strowger78 Just playing with that at the moment since I'm obv familiar with Xero. Got some probs that seem almost insurmountable though. in reply to strowger78 #
@thattommyhall setting up spreadsheets seems more work than just importing statements into decent software. Plus auto-made graphs, purr… in reply to thattommyhall #
@strowger78 heh. personal xero also has less graphs on the dashboard than business xero, that's another black mark against it. in reply to strowger78 #
Spent all evening trying different personal finance software apps. All either massively over-complicated or missing key basic features. Sigh #
No internet this morning, boo. Have been trying to write an article offline, got 2000 words, all useless, sigh. #
Deliberately lost in the woods. Found fallen down buildings, odd manmade structures & cool fungi. @johnleach will be well jealous. #
Also i know it's evil but i love the smell of himalayan balsam #
Just had one of those moments where you think you know where you're going but have actually just walked in a circle. Now stuck in a holl … #
Oh, fyi, my marker to tell me i'd walked in a circle was a hole that looked like a shallow grave. Possibly not so ace. #
(The texted tweet which got cut off ended "now stuck in a holly bush after a path suddenly ended. Ace") #
Trying to decide whether I should spend the afternoon doing or sitting. Sitting is looking like a forerunner at the moment. #
Shopping for jam making supplies has used up all my jam making energy. At least I have it in for next time. And I also have ice cream. #

Last week’s Tweets (up to 2010-07-25)

louisa — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Has ordered her birthday fun-pack: a book on smoking & curing food, a cold smoke generator & various wood dusts. Bring on the wild times! #
Just cleaned grease splatters off my glasses with my tshirt, now my top smells of bacon. #
Last night I dreamt that I was quantum-leaping, trying to put right what once went wrong etc, but instead of Scott Bakula, it was Nick Cave. #
Breakfast curry in bed courtesy of @johnleach and the sweet centre. A*W*E*S*O*M*E #
@IdleSi don't know about the Depot but The Wall on Gelderd Road in Wortley has a good combination of walls and bouldering in reply to IdleSi #
Finally got the results of the asbestos tests on our old house – it's clear so we can sell it without having to pay out £6k+ first! Hurrah! #
Made pizza for lunch. Ate too much pizza for lunch. #
Made paneer today, first time in ages. 2ltrs milk made 400g cheese. Going to make bread from the whey if animals don't drink it all first. #
New 3BT post: 31 Beautiful Things http://3bt.louisaparry.co.uk/2010/07/31-beautiful-things/ #
Lovely walk with @johnleach, Lily & Benny from next-door-but-one around Golden Acre park/nature reserve. Doggies had much fun! #
@davidsmalley oh no, poor little boy :( in reply to davidsmalley #
@davidsmalley that's the excuse I use for my errant behaviour too. All my crap knees' fault. in reply to davidsmalley #
Fan suddenly got really loud when I opened Firefox. Started panic-closing all my apps to stave off a crash. Turned out it was the cooker fan #
Procrastinating over writing something. Now have the sharpest pencils in all the land. If I don't crack it soon, I might even tidy my desk. #
Thought "I'll do that fun 15min design task to finish the week". Spent 2.5hrs on it & now want to redesign the whole website. B-bye weekend. #
Hurrah! the sun's gone away – that means I can start cold smoking cheese without it all melting. Let the postponed birthday fun commence! #
RT @really_good Coldsmoked cheese first time going well! 3 types of cheese,will leave a block of each in for 3/6/10hrs to see the difference #
New 3BT post: Bagels, impromptu walk, cheesetastic http://3bt.louisaparry.co.uk/2010/07/bagels-impromptu-walk-cheesetastic/ #
New 3BT post: Crack, a pretty coincidence, accomplishment http://3bt.louisaparry.co.uk/2010/07/crack-a-pretty-coincidence-accomplishment/ #
Laptop is on lap therefore lapcat has to sit on boobs. Is now boobcat. #