tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19936251270767782952024-03-18T20:52:16.134+00:00Always smilingMy Life, Family and things good and bad!!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.comBlogger941125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-40550899573916891392024-03-18T08:50:00.005+00:002024-03-18T08:50:44.369+00:00Sad news<p><span style="font-size: large;">I've had some very sad news that a friend of 63 years has died, so I won't be blogging for a couple of days. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I will be switching off commenting for that time too</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Many thanks for the replies to my previous post.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-85973499206977197142024-03-17T08:01:00.002+00:002024-03-17T08:02:45.200+00:00Blogging questions.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71MGtl4tcecACldytoZZNLqovTCTJKzrHbvdN1FiynYE5UXHGL36aSiNoiZZ6rHIAzdY2f2ft7wVAtYE4YqpJyY5FbH2eso8C2agbsXC-y1nzBH5kNPomz0wYgDVTCklbbvsuh1XxVdZBUFJ0ZJVpgwtwZZHN9UlV0acpWNQoFbBs7d9k7EtxlgL-qvuf/s917/432369238_808725057955220_9106758451639491613_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="720" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71MGtl4tcecACldytoZZNLqovTCTJKzrHbvdN1FiynYE5UXHGL36aSiNoiZZ6rHIAzdY2f2ft7wVAtYE4YqpJyY5FbH2eso8C2agbsXC-y1nzBH5kNPomz0wYgDVTCklbbvsuh1XxVdZBUFJ0ZJVpgwtwZZHN9UlV0acpWNQoFbBs7d9k7EtxlgL-qvuf/w311-h372/432369238_808725057955220_9106758451639491613_n.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is how I think of blogging; people write their stories and others respond and it brings happiness; well it does to me. So why do some people, who comment not have a blog, what do they get out of it?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I like to visit the blogs of people who leave a comment, but many don't have a blog.. and then there's the anonymous commentators, why? What are you afraid of, why can't you sign your name?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But then there are also those people who suddenly decide to start afresh and only certain people are allowed to see their blog or even on some, only certain people are allowed to comment?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And what about the ones who used to comment and then stop, have I offended them, written something they didn't like or thought it was out of order in some way?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59cwAiFeiJWxXTMwUCcy2ZDYIv5Q2BDzAtdrtZE9GJhzSvXMZ9lxATSSJLW5bk-EtNURf49P8DXtIYcURacfNk1n8tCt58M-IBXSpaccyOFhCCGvQaHvCvlSAKAiz1L9FuYxuZknf3Ysz98XAsx5VGRs1oeZ-PKgtJ8_n5lA20XCgx9aO5joouykHQKCp/s599/zpearn-forgetmenot-blog-separator-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="599" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59cwAiFeiJWxXTMwUCcy2ZDYIv5Q2BDzAtdrtZE9GJhzSvXMZ9lxATSSJLW5bk-EtNURf49P8DXtIYcURacfNk1n8tCt58M-IBXSpaccyOFhCCGvQaHvCvlSAKAiz1L9FuYxuZknf3Ysz98XAsx5VGRs1oeZ-PKgtJ8_n5lA20XCgx9aO5joouykHQKCp/s320/zpearn-forgetmenot-blog-separator-1.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">But I value all of you who do comment and I do try to read your blog too, so please don't stop! Sometimes believe it or not us retired people have busy weeks. The days fly by and in an evening my weariness over comes me and I hit that 'Nadia' moment, and I can't get myself to write. For those of you who don't know, I can only type with my left hand, so sometimes its pretty slow!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But I shall carry on, because I like blogging and I love reading other peoples' blogs. Why do you blog?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-2702720805901085702024-03-16T04:43:00.001+00:002024-03-16T04:43:34.860+00:00Why did you decide.....<p><span style="font-size: large;"> .....that you wanted to lose weight? Just one of the questions that was asked in Slimming World this morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My first reason wasn't health, but the 95% of clothes I have that don't fit me any more. I haven't always been fat, but in 1988 I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid and my weight gain started there. I stayed a healthy weight till 2015, maybe just a little more than I had been, ie. size 14 instead of 10/12. Then I broke my arm, my life as it had been, ended. I avoided doing things that caused me pain, the less I did, the less I wanted to do, and then it was a case of I couldn't do it. I gained weight!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After each operation on my arm, 4 over a period of 3 years, I was back to square one on the road to recovery. I gained weight.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I became paranoid of tripping up and falling again, so I stopped rushing around, walked slowly, got a walking stick to help me and didn't walk as much. I gained more weight!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With lockdown I was anxious, couldn't sleep and I had a few over balancing episodes. My Dr at the time, said she thought it was because my right arm being still, prevented me from balancing and I was always tired. So I bought my 'wheels' called Rhet Butler, because he is so handsome! And in that second lockdwn, we hardly went anywhere.. staying indoors that time was the worst and I gained even more weight. This was my worst gain!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But instead of getting back into SW, I bought bigger sized clothes, fatal! So now I had clothes that fitted me and I stopped trying.. so basically I want to lose weight to wear some of those lovely clothes that no longer fit me at all... and now I also need to lose weight for my health.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">No one is stopping me, so I have to get back into the 'mode' and I can do it.. I don't like a lot of chocolate, don't drink alcohol and my biggest craving is fried foods, and cakes, so we don't fry or bake, and I can even go without toast! Dh cooks all SW meals and we don't buy foods that tempt us, so we are both back on plan having had a gain because we had 2 weeks off. No more Welsh cakes, or fish n chips and definitely no more Victoria Sponge! (Left after my birthday) And with my wheels I walk quite confidently and quite a distance, altho this wet winter weather has been a bit of a stop-start walking out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever really asked yourself why you want to do something; do you need/want to lose weight?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6AQOENj7lbE6l7SJbTz3UKdpufQaCE_B7_DiU7tAXU306tOb_iZlRzK0ezDKVV7nYfHrx1rUgMoGy3gy7-l-tAJXEbm14mb57U1hlixsY_QUtfCtKj478Mrg0kZte8plc5mU-ZJLDhsTJrjwDVVJlcKMJzS1nFp65F679j-5t5ITMWz6_s_aQVpAinYJW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6AQOENj7lbE6l7SJbTz3UKdpufQaCE_B7_DiU7tAXU306tOb_iZlRzK0ezDKVV7nYfHrx1rUgMoGy3gy7-l-tAJXEbm14mb57U1hlixsY_QUtfCtKj478Mrg0kZte8plc5mU-ZJLDhsTJrjwDVVJlcKMJzS1nFp65F679j-5t5ITMWz6_s_aQVpAinYJW" width="192" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">Chrisxx</span></div><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-43142165610202064942024-03-15T07:43:00.000+00:002024-03-15T07:43:09.865+00:00What's was the best advice you were ever given.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was once asked what the best advice I was given and without pausing I said.. 'Get a good education.'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And in part this woman was responsible for my education.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was the Head Teacher of St Clares' school, that my aunt paid for me to go to.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;">She was Sister Mary Bernadine. I absolutely loved her, and would do anything to please her. She had a bit of a soft spot for me knowing my history, that my mother had died when I was 2 years.<br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmj3uvsXUdkDs5AQhY17FmfJp7KgPG0XqLVwjF5RiSGy2MKfY2iouf0shYsHWk-SiICp5ly9pLXc0UlaibsKX62UbOEyrh8orQ1PB3w65Fyl4nZ1EsSB1KqAUr8i7BXklS_lCc4jiog08sai5YLuHN-2yQR2oMgSr9578RBY2nFxahsF3A2eF89FeKkGz/s1385/329827714_3431144420501477_3059369555617320540_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmj3uvsXUdkDs5AQhY17FmfJp7KgPG0XqLVwjF5RiSGy2MKfY2iouf0shYsHWk-SiICp5ly9pLXc0UlaibsKX62UbOEyrh8orQ1PB3w65Fyl4nZ1EsSB1KqAUr8i7BXklS_lCc4jiog08sai5YLuHN-2yQR2oMgSr9578RBY2nFxahsF3A2eF89FeKkGz/s320/329827714_3431144420501477_3059369555617320540_n.jpg" width="148" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">She taught French and English and I often got told off for not knowing my French verbs, and had smacks with a ruler on my hand! They were gentle taps, but I excelled at English. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I loved every day in that school and remember how we used to sit in the orchard and read Keats aloud to each other. Can you imagine 14 or 15 year old girls reading poetry in these days; they were happy days for me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>It was Sister Mary Bernadine who suggested I became a nurse as she said I had a caring nature. I wanted to go to Art College, but my Grandmother wouldn't allow it, so I went into Nursing and trained at Cardiff Royal Infirmary to become a nurse. </span><span>I did go back to see Sister Bernadine after I'd left school and she hugged me and wanted to hear all about my nursing.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm a member of the School FB group, although most of the members there, were in school in the sixties and seventies and later, but they all speak of Sister Bernadine with great affection. I am still in touch with one girl, I've written about her and us going to dances together. Best years of my younger life and that education allowed me to get a Degree when I was 38 and became a teacher..and the pension has allowed me to live comfortably. So it was very good advice, 'Thank you Aunty Glad.'</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What was the best advice you were given?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-15943870120307183402024-03-14T00:51:00.006+00:002024-03-14T00:52:58.369+00:00Just a 'bimble' day!<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span>Some days Dh and I can 'bimble' away our days. Yesterday was one of those days. We changed the bedding, I did my 'tiara' job and after we'd unloaded the dishwasher, Dh tided the kitchen, I did the lounge and we decided that was enough housework for the day, altho there was still the 'chair' in the lounge to do.. its not a loaded chair like the bedroom, but the dining room table! We seem to fill it with stuff; a jigsaw, which we were going to do but didn't, a Welsh dictionary, you never know when you might want to look something up, note book- new, seeds, ready in case I get the urge to do something with them, library books I've read, and some napkins nicely ironed by Dh. We must clear it up, rather than push the stuff to one side when we actually use it to eat! One day we will!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was very cold outside, so a 'bimble' day was all we managed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having read 'The Women,' I've been stuck at what to read so I have been looking at new books and on checking a FB group, I came across some choices of other people and one woman had just been gifted these...as a surprise present from her hubby.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcF4ttu-b0QNrvn-89SwDAKWKZ7ASoUp9CkRaTjMVrpJpIxzloTGrqoOW97GdyhEa1ahNbvMfWdSoBZzBRY0aLhbeX5tiSJL17f8BBgXL_6b1cUbcKQ0i0DpGM2TCuMhVkYrk5Y36VcfNcRb71vJpjkKcobuMp76L8DgUp9vViX7tn95uR5uD6BO0_um7x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="266" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcF4ttu-b0QNrvn-89SwDAKWKZ7ASoUp9CkRaTjMVrpJpIxzloTGrqoOW97GdyhEa1ahNbvMfWdSoBZzBRY0aLhbeX5tiSJL17f8BBgXL_6b1cUbcKQ0i0DpGM2TCuMhVkYrk5Y36VcfNcRb71vJpjkKcobuMp76L8DgUp9vViX7tn95uR5uD6BO0_um7x" width="195" /></a></div><br />I loved Enid Blyton, but I wouldn't want these now, I don't rely on Dh reading my mind, but ask outright. I wonder if she had asked for them?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></div><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-88098084088380189402024-03-13T00:42:00.007+00:002024-03-13T00:45:52.801+00:00Tuppa Ware; Avon; Pippa Dee; and others!!<p><span style="font-size: large;">We fell off the SW plan over the weekend so we needed meals this week that we really liked, to get us back in the 'mode.' So last night we had this...moussaka</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_JY1iGVZb2DBChPtdXMeLMb9iDib2rkL6uSuD2IzORQaWyFAZoRPLjzeylOcZXV_wxhUk2H_NSxZKi6alyCwLUceFKbs712xi6tmGSbTSX9MEVzeTLRLt9pswonN29YvsQ_05ABxkiGIs-x_RxsjI7upDO3dOizmD1og80BnZs0Pn8Vmszv8BrXLf0sr/s474/OIP%20(32).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_JY1iGVZb2DBChPtdXMeLMb9iDib2rkL6uSuD2IzORQaWyFAZoRPLjzeylOcZXV_wxhUk2H_NSxZKi6alyCwLUceFKbs712xi6tmGSbTSX9MEVzeTLRLt9pswonN29YvsQ_05ABxkiGIs-x_RxsjI7upDO3dOizmD1og80BnZs0Pn8Vmszv8BrXLf0sr/s320/OIP%20(32).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Dh was been busy in the kitchen, all morning making it and adapting the recipe to suit our SW food plan</span><span>, so the house smelt delish.</span></span><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">I first had this at a Whole Foods house party. They served it with brown rice. Two women had set up the House Party business together. The one was recovering from an op having been diagnosed with cancer and this was their way to make a living. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">They prepared it all in front of us, but had a ready cooked one that the Hostess heated up in her oven.( no micro waves this was the 1970s) Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed it and bought the ingredients and pkt of brown rice and the recipe and I've been making it ever since.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Did you go to of those product selling parties or even hosted one?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I hosted a Pippa Dee party which was lingerie, not the sexy stuff and one spaghetti strap nightie I bought, I wore as a dress! The man who was in part the success of Pippa Dee, George Davies, went on to Next, M&S, George at Asda.. a multimillionaire and I helped him get there by doing the Pippa Dee parties!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Of course there's the most well known home selling product, Tuppa ware, I bought loads and also later in 2004 I bought a food chopper from Pampered Chef and still have it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I never went to an Avon party, but did go to another make up one, called Oriflame and loved their make up.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder did any of you bloggers host a home product selling party or went to one? Which one was it?</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">Chrisxx</span></div></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-75410275620100975832024-03-12T08:21:00.000+00:002024-03-12T08:21:14.760+00:00Family.<p><span style="font-size: large;"> With all the controversy about that photo, I didn't write about my own Mothering Sunday. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did have some lovely cards and flowers, but as well as that, long chatty phone calls. (not from my youngest son, but that's how its been for quite a few years)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter brought me up to date about my grand children, who are all doing well. Its just like all grand mothers, we like 'news' its so lovely to hear how they are all doing. Of course my youngest grandson had already told me about himself and his brother, but since then, my grand daughter has announced that she's going to India for a month with her firm. So very exciting news for her, as a Chartered Accountant she has done really well. She always did well in school and then in Uni so we're all very pleased for her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My middle son is well now after having a triple bi-pass last year. It was a nightmare, but it was a successful op and we were very grateful that he was able to get an op as quickly as he did, what with the present state of the NHS and waiting lists. He lives in W. Wales so we'll be meeting up in the near future.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My eldest son always phones and we do spend a lot of time on the phone, hours in fact. He developed Crohns when he was in Uni and had to drop out. He did have extensive surgery and is well now, but those years when he was ill were very difficult, in fact to see him lose so much weight was hell. He looked like a skeleton for years, weighing less than 7st. and 5ft 11 tall. All his clothes hung off him. When he was in hospital, I used to phone in the mornings and then went in to the hospital straight after work. I took all the school books I had to mark and did them there beside his bed. His op was such that he wasn't allowed to eat or drink for 8 days. He had a some bad days, and one time when I got there two other patients, who were in the side ward with him were very upset, as was my son. He'd asked could he have a cup of tea mouth wash and of course he was told 'no' so was in floods of tears. But he recovered and now could lose some weight! He broke up with his girl friend a while ago and is so by himself. I wish he could find a nice girl friend, but he works as a photographer at racing tracks, so not the hours to suit a regular girl friend. He is a very nice young man and has that quality of being able to talk to people and put them at ease. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Strange when I'm with my grown up children, I feel younger even though I'm old! But I'm always very proud of them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-54515646634044560952024-03-11T12:06:00.001+00:002024-03-11T12:06:22.969+00:00PS:Re happy photo<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I had prepared this post last night, so the whoo-ha about the photo hadn't arisen. Has it been photo shopped? Evidently to the experts it has.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But I would ask not that has it been altered, but why did the family feel the need to publish a photo of the princess and the children ? Perhaps to quash the many rumours hitting the headlines, from Kate..... is more ill than it has been published to she and William have split up!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Personally I think they just wanted to show that Kate is ok and recovering slowly from her operation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As a mother of a son who had extensive surgery for Crohns disease. To me Kate's very slim figure hinted at more than just diet and exercise. An illness like that would necessitate surgery.. but for what ever reason why Kate needed surgery it is her own business. Just hope it wasn't serious and all is well with her now.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm sad that the Royals felt the need to alter the photograph, but perhaps it was just to have all three children smiling, eyes open and looking straight at the camera. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did wonder about the tree behind them, because it is in leaf and none of our trees are.. was the picture trans posed on to the outside view?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> As long as the Princess is well and recovering, I for one love to see them as a family smiling and happy and wish them all good wishes and a happy life.</span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-70684214551243426272024-03-11T09:29:00.000+00:002024-03-11T09:29:28.883+00:00Such a happy photograph<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd1PM2Im9qOWkkaIx0T9AuZycBI-T0lwCA2gw_lx5dt1IAFnIWwF_zlUIk3jN_KJ5YTdZ5FboYeK07PyXMaJMigLrpks0zW3sR8co-MqO5zmLxXzSQaBnjVGQbBmCPEr6P0bWIhjuWNExwQ-kq_nZ0P5ThLCPmxtBeftYAMJP4KiKbPYdngDvnKwYwsaJn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="612" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd1PM2Im9qOWkkaIx0T9AuZycBI-T0lwCA2gw_lx5dt1IAFnIWwF_zlUIk3jN_KJ5YTdZ5FboYeK07PyXMaJMigLrpks0zW3sR8co-MqO5zmLxXzSQaBnjVGQbBmCPEr6P0bWIhjuWNExwQ-kq_nZ0P5ThLCPmxtBeftYAMJP4KiKbPYdngDvnKwYwsaJn" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">This the latest photo of Princess of Wales, Catherine, since the announcement of her hospital stay. I do follow the Royal Family, so I'm delighted to see her looking well and smiling.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>All three children are beautiful as is she. </span><span>Growing up fast and always looking very royal, although I think we were all amused by Louis's antics at the late Queen's parade. He was obviously bored and caused his family quite a lot of discomfort being very much a bored little boy!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I am very pleased, as many will be, to see that this photo that has been released, taken it seems by William. They are indeed a lovely family.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Even if you're not a Royalist, you can't deny this is a super photograph!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Chrisxx </span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-39551170342054085412024-03-10T08:47:00.001+00:002024-03-10T08:47:48.086+00:00Yikes fleas!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE0bSHhGzE8S7SCqLCdcJbmnTy_yU6htDri_GtBK8gO486Uyya-O0SL-h1DDWloMQAX7iSIcb-06Jp2egxkL5I6ZRxnwhlOsqxIYg8ZZFPTMJvO32kZ9yp11umveOYulJ-nItlmiHgdtbDMbXGW6KiCwf1_yad3-hZEC3jc_LNX893y_kWslu8R-ZIj43/s500/DiscoverFieldandTrial%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="500" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE0bSHhGzE8S7SCqLCdcJbmnTy_yU6htDri_GtBK8gO486Uyya-O0SL-h1DDWloMQAX7iSIcb-06Jp2egxkL5I6ZRxnwhlOsqxIYg8ZZFPTMJvO32kZ9yp11umveOYulJ-nItlmiHgdtbDMbXGW6KiCwf1_yad3-hZEC3jc_LNX893y_kWslu8R-ZIj43/s320/DiscoverFieldandTrial%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span>We've been watching Crufts, its a great show. Some people think its sad to train dogs like this, but just look at their excitement and how they respond to their owners, those dogs love it.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I mainly trained Nell, but I only had her do basic stuff, 'Come, Sit, Stay, Leave, No' and a very important one, OFF, ' when she trampled on my garden. She learnt Fetch herself and loved running after her ball. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She learnt 'Sit' right away and was suitably given a treat.. then all by herself she started to beg. I tried to stop her, I didn't want her to think she had to beg for food, but she never stopped begging! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She wasn't long getting the hang of going outside for a wee and was asking to go out within a week and we rarely has a mess. We had to be very strong about her sleeping down stairs, but she did come up on our bed in the mornings, when Dh brought up our morning cuppas.. She used to run up the stairs and take a flying leap on to the bed, ears flying like wings! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She was about 4 years old, one very sunny morning, she was rolling on the bed in the sunshine, waiting for a tummy rub... and oh my gosh I looked at her tum, she was covered in fleas!! My screams brought Dh out of the bathroom, we were mesmerized! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Straight to the vets, we were mortified we had always kept up with her flea treatment. We got shampoo off the vet and tablets instead of the under skin stuff we were using. We stripped and washed all our bedding, got a different duvet, washed all our clothes, all Nell's bedding, towels and blanket. In fact if it was something we thought might harbour the fleas, it was washed and cleaned.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It took us 7 weeks of baths 3 times a week, combing, which she hated. Then we had a spray for the house. We used to spray our lounge, bedroom and and all the carpets, then went out, Nell came as well. We had to leave it for 2 hours. It was more or less the 8th week when the bath water had no fleas, but we kept at it for another week to be absolutely sure. Evidently the flea treatment we had been using was no longer effective, although it can still be bought and is still advertised.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were vigilant after that, especially when we had a hedgehog in the garden here, they are sometimes full of fleas.. There's a lot to take on when you have a dog. But they're so worth it, especially when they snuggle up to you and those eyes so full of love.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's easier to talk about her now with out crumbling in a teary heap! I sometimes think let's get another dog, but it wouldn't be Nell. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I loved watching Crufts.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-89650310665832978242024-03-09T04:29:00.001+00:002024-03-09T04:29:24.585+00:00Coffee and cake and pans.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7yu32qQhyphenhyphenA7zFAjZS9tsGODvvB9xDTLOJHRwdQO_MbUk41eCHR0BeJA8YAWC3t2ABPsJRwocFWRRNIyoMuoevLFPR-z-f0wO81LCJFK-Mew56nTdqp8sGfpnN6yDk64VwETREgwjhkdZlzwq4-vBU9i-dNd3M9LBAhhhx_ZhQkItHZi5dAfYQfsOFJ_D/s474/OIP%20(1).jfif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7yu32qQhyphenhyphenA7zFAjZS9tsGODvvB9xDTLOJHRwdQO_MbUk41eCHR0BeJA8YAWC3t2ABPsJRwocFWRRNIyoMuoevLFPR-z-f0wO81LCJFK-Mew56nTdqp8sGfpnN6yDk64VwETREgwjhkdZlzwq4-vBU9i-dNd3M9LBAhhhx_ZhQkItHZi5dAfYQfsOFJ_D/s320/OIP%20(1).jfif" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">We knew we had </span><span style="text-align: left;">gained weight over the week, fish and chips, cake, and extra bread, so didn't need anyone to tell us. So instead of going to SW we went to Costa for coffee and a lush chocolate brownie. Very naughty!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">We hadn't been out for coffee since some time in the middle of February, so we thought we deserved it and the cake! We sat there in the warm talking Welsh to each other. Probably not all correct but its all practice and we're good with weather words. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Mae 'r tywydd yn wyntog heddiw a oer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">There's a FB page where learners write sentences and people answer and it doesn't matter if you make a mistake, just have a go!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Afterwards we went to buy some new omlette pans, as Dh does all the cooking, he chose them, although I insisted they had to be a good quality make. You know the saying...'Buy cheap and you buy twice!'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know what your weather is like, but ours is cold with a bitter NE wind..and my ear ache was telling me 'ouch' this morning, so I had on a scarf to keep me from getting cold. I hate getting cold! Brrrrr.. guess some people living in Canada have snow this time of year, I don't think I'd like that. But in countries like that you wear the proper clothes. There was a man in Costa in shorts! I was wearing a strappy top and waist slip, (knicks of course) under a dress that is wool, big wooly cardi, fleece, scarf, wooly long socks and my pretty wool gloves! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"> Have you been able to guess my Welsh sentence?</span></div><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-25323888469015302802024-03-08T08:44:00.000+00:002024-03-08T08:44:09.424+00:00A much better day.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbNvuPqQytWCS-qk2_iGpuzyIAuiTXqUoNF4o114BL_yfGoaJJpCxW636kLA5qdMCa4RMEDJHZscfcC0EIkbayU-qoQToWttoaFiKYT1APmV3H9QFCJeV4asJOFwKC6jWpO5_hsaFKfBdA6ZUEb2vY3BHF-k2xzsA33-MeCYg0yEwLB4iaTar4oh2FZcw/s940/pl2000028565.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbNvuPqQytWCS-qk2_iGpuzyIAuiTXqUoNF4o114BL_yfGoaJJpCxW636kLA5qdMCa4RMEDJHZscfcC0EIkbayU-qoQToWttoaFiKYT1APmV3H9QFCJeV4asJOFwKC6jWpO5_hsaFKfBdA6ZUEb2vY3BHF-k2xzsA33-MeCYg0yEwLB4iaTar4oh2FZcw/s320/pl2000028565.webp" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Our garden has hundreds of daffodils, 'Tossing their heads in sprightly dance' (Wordsworth's Daffodils) Enough to bring joy even to fed up me. but even better was a phone call from my grandson. His birthday was yesterday and he'd got his parcel and was delighted with his socks and the contents in the toe of one. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;">He is a very open emotional young man, said he was 'choked up' when he opened the parcel. He is a very chatty so I got all the news about him, his job and his 'darling' girlfriend. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When he was in his teens, and asked what he wanted to be, he always said the same thing, He wanted to have a job, where you wore a suit and did a lot of talking! And in law that's what he's doing!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And I found another firm to come and he is coming on Monday ... yeh! Just got to get the deposit back from the other one!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But also a rarity yesterday is..... I saw a Dr f<u>ace to face</u>!! I've had ear ache off and on for a week, so phoned to ask for a prescription for an ear spray I'd had before, only to be told I had to be seen by the Duty Dr.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> I saw a new Dr, very nice. Checked my ears and yes my ear looked inflamed and I had a raised temperature.. so was given the anti biotic ear spray. Her comment was I wasn't a frequent visitor as that was only my third visit in the whole time we've lived here. And that's true, but I have spoken to Drs on the phone. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So this spray will help me to sleep, paracetamol wasn't helping with the pain. So an all round a much better day!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-38096350673443352032024-03-07T06:12:00.007+00:002024-03-07T06:15:47.308+00:00Fed up, fed up, fed up!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0IJH-fmC5TB_09dy-dLCMHagPJO0ri2oY-styt8cXNxRwyfELsS1aLFcIMEQm7oZXShHNrKwKHGOmnwfh6_xvULCOUxK4tzRZ3YPaH3IaZUgfOu8c0ici1ZxKOZ9flXsGzFWDCK__ZXeYJVCTb9zhN2lB1j6P74nEpuv5Bx95G1UvdHXYtAV7GUVPk7l/s2048/430245290_8133748349974033_2977231722070729662_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0IJH-fmC5TB_09dy-dLCMHagPJO0ri2oY-styt8cXNxRwyfELsS1aLFcIMEQm7oZXShHNrKwKHGOmnwfh6_xvULCOUxK4tzRZ3YPaH3IaZUgfOu8c0ici1ZxKOZ9flXsGzFWDCK__ZXeYJVCTb9zhN2lB1j6P74nEpuv5Bx95G1UvdHXYtAV7GUVPk7l/s320/430245290_8133748349974033_2977231722070729662_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> This is Rest Bay beach yesterday, I didn't take this photograph, it was on a FB page, but its the beach I used to walk to. when my children were little. And I should have walked somewhere today to cheer me up, because I had a real fed up day!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Why? I shouldn't have felt that way because for the first time after 4 nights of not sleeping I slept, even went straight back to sleep after getting up for the loo! So I should have been feeling bright and breezy, but I still felt tired and only did half the jobs I wanted to.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And it was made worse with a tradesman not turning up, but offering us yet another date after 2 previous cancellations, so we said, leave it we'll get someone else.. but now we have the headache of finding someone else.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So because we both felt fed up, what do you do?? You scrap dinner plans and have fish n chips! Diet out the window!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlU9WJYRWkgFR3GkIXBhIY6csjiCTDGU628gixvFmWBxEtkk9BxeDpEEYjbTuq1yyjiqFvc0ZGgrY6ZAIzT3GEeGpAaS04cBJeKwhDCQJXKKeiBoBZfHimdiIYml6ZsL4vW0ALUrfYx6bs7bOpY5KmOc-Ix1YtYVbz25Jz2bA4AhYCvh3491JKzhsGogk/s552/380417371_835747524983666_4758334210623384217_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlU9WJYRWkgFR3GkIXBhIY6csjiCTDGU628gixvFmWBxEtkk9BxeDpEEYjbTuq1yyjiqFvc0ZGgrY6ZAIzT3GEeGpAaS04cBJeKwhDCQJXKKeiBoBZfHimdiIYml6ZsL4vW0ALUrfYx6bs7bOpY5KmOc-Ix1YtYVbz25Jz2bA4AhYCvh3491JKzhsGogk/s320/380417371_835747524983666_4758334210623384217_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Dh went off to the chip shop, which is owned by someone I was in school with, in fact played kiss chase with! The shop is round the corner from the house I grew up in.. he used to go with a 'sack' truck every morning very early before school, with his dad to get the boxes of fish from the harbour. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A whole lot of us played in the street most days and late into the evenings too. I think when were 7 or 8 we even played 'you show me yours and I'll show you mine!'..we were so innocent but so funny when I think about it now. The boys all 'showed,' and us girls all screamed and ran off! Shame girls today don't scream and run away, but get pushed into sending explicate photos! A different world and not for the better, but that's another story.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And me now, back to the SW food plan tomorrow!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-39788602798269414082024-03-06T09:41:00.003+00:002024-03-06T09:45:50.920+00:00A Fantastic read, you'll cry, laugh and cheer reading this book!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzks89kLrVkArWRvlne1tpWeT4XCe2RP6PIGC9FTZrU3-Imhl-X401_Mrf5KFbkqcCAU9yJ6N_CCczSvdZKCq3gy8y2if6szYmAEKz-1fXI77VgKUC2mdO0Cgx1a3IoLDppaq-RjCFPOhuXH-rW0cK5mtFu_8LAPbJceePE9v48oSlLYDXw-Z7tGjNg8k/s522/71Vgc5R0j8L._SY522_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzks89kLrVkArWRvlne1tpWeT4XCe2RP6PIGC9FTZrU3-Imhl-X401_Mrf5KFbkqcCAU9yJ6N_CCczSvdZKCq3gy8y2if6szYmAEKz-1fXI77VgKUC2mdO0Cgx1a3IoLDppaq-RjCFPOhuXH-rW0cK5mtFu_8LAPbJceePE9v48oSlLYDXw-Z7tGjNg8k/s320/71Vgc5R0j8L._SY522_.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">If this the first book you read by Kristin Hannah, it won't be the last. It is an amazing book, you'll want to read every thing she has written. Anyone who reads my blog will know that Dh said he'd pay half the cost of this book, because I was having guilt feeling about the amount I was spending on books and this was £14.95 to pre-order. So on that basis he read it first. The first evening he started I asked how was he finding it. His face told it all, big smiles as he said.' Its excellent!' And I can second that, it is an amazing book and now that I've read, I feel bereft!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The main character is Francis, called Frankie and you'll love her. I got so deep into her character I cried when she did. with her disappointments and losses. Set in the Vietnam war Frankie signs up as an Army nurse and is posted to the war front. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When she gets there naïve Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of the war. You watch the naïve Frankie, who is way over the head become a confident and well respected, very efficient nurse. With her two nursing friends and Drs we learn how they worked to save the seriously injured soldiers and civilians. The discriptive scenes of the casualties were horrific and as I'm sure Ms Hannah researched this, in real life it must have been an unimaginable shock to the system.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The friendship between the three nurses endure long after their return home, where their service isn't recognized. The general view was that there were no women in the Vietnam war. And where they are seen in uniform, they come across a divided nation, so they're spat on and mocked. It was a very difficult time for Frankie and its her two friends who support her and get her through a very harrowing time. Is there any romance in her life? Well you'll have to read it yourself to find out.. but keep your tissues near!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think you've guessed I loved it, best of the books I've read this year.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-75939622265517394342024-03-04T20:56:00.013+00:002024-03-05T03:43:01.279+00:00Spare bed?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> These were a real struggle to finish, I think I had second sock syndrome and couldn't get round to knitting it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhjdF3FbY2GDjxBCEPDeMPQYwXTPAWaPKKIt3bHUifLfutPuoCRilSe8UG2GMbIC7y6XcOGDqY4XbxVJ5pV9ZFxAO8qBKBwtKWIIN7-wA0p8sHP7wE3fPNE6usLJQP44pIoZSMj44SzplW_G5yfcktZJ4H1NHGMG45p0R4JOrQOXOhhjFWTCAKUIFEonrj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhjdF3FbY2GDjxBCEPDeMPQYwXTPAWaPKKIt3bHUifLfutPuoCRilSe8UG2GMbIC7y6XcOGDqY4XbxVJ5pV9ZFxAO8qBKBwtKWIIN7-wA0p8sHP7wE3fPNE6usLJQP44pIoZSMj44SzplW_G5yfcktZJ4H1NHGMG45p0R4JOrQOXOhhjFWTCAKUIFEonrj" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The problem was the dark wool, so the spot light that Dh bought me for my birthday really helped.. as well as that I'd decided to do that pattern that reinforces the heel and when I came to the turn, it all went wrong! But I did it, although if you look really closely you can see the heels look slightly different, but doubt my grandson will notice. He wears them round the house! I must have made him 8 or 9 pairs. He once told me his mother had stolen a pair to wear in her wellies, so made her a pair too and then it became a tradition that all three grandchildren had a pair for Christmas!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Miserably cold wet afternoon, but as I didn't sleep well last night I was happy to stay inside in my comfy arm chair. Thank you for the suggestions on sleep, but tonight I 'm taking a tablet as we want to go out in the morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The daffodils look amazing in the garden and the ones that border the front grass ( can't call it a lawn!) appear to shine at night as we leave our outside lights on and the light reflects off them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And a lovely surprise my bestest friend phoned, she and her partner helped with our wedding evening 'do' and served the food. We are very close and known each other for 40 plus years. She and I always had an arrangement, that we'd always have a bed spare for each other if we ever needed to run away!! She started her phone call with 'Still got your bed!' I've never needed it nor has she, but we've cried together so many times.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So a lovely afternoon inside, warm, cosy and finished that D*** sock in time for my youngest grandson's birthday. I used to pop £5 in one, but I suppose as there is a rise in the cost of living, it had better be £10.. he is a trainee paralegal so doesn't get a lot at the moment, so this should be enough for coffee and a sandwich?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">Chrisxx</span></div><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-10644808696989459312024-03-04T04:24:00.000+00:002024-03-04T04:24:47.703+00:00INSOMNIA!!<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I have written about this before but its a big problem in my life. I've had a little weepy moment this morning, nothing bad has happened in my life, just another night of s</span><span style="font-size: large;">leeplessness, it isn't just me I know other women of a certain age, who also suffer from insomnia, so why? Last night was another night when I saw the dawn and felt the cold of the unheated lounge. But there was no point staying in the bed, I was in the wide awake club. Why? I'd dropped off to sleep quite easily and earlier than I did normally, but my eyes were closing as I tried to read, so felt confident that I was going to sleep all night.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Dh wanted to carry on reading; our bedside lamps are sat low on our bedside cabinets so we don't disturb each other. I settled and he helped me with the duvet. I can't pull it over me with my right duff arm, so have to cross over with my left. I got my pillow just right, solid for a side sleeper and I went to sleep right away.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then I woke for a wee, about 1:30am, and got back into bed and started my sleep thoughts. I dared think about anything that is unpleasant, so concentrate on seeing the sea ripple up on the sand and keep thinking, I'm warm, cosy, comfortable and I'm going to sleep. I won't watch creepy films or any dramas that are upsetting before going to bed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I gave up and got out of bed at 2:45, wide awake! Scream, scream, scream!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">March last year when I had a Dr's consultation about my regular tablets, she prescribed me some sleeping tablets. I only took them for 2 nights, I was like a zombie the next day, so they were no good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">September I had a telephone appointment and a different Dr prescribed me some tablets that are anti-histamine, but are given for insomnia. They work, but I don't want to be reliant on tablets, so only take one now and then. She suggested like the other Dr, it was because there is a drop in estrogen after a certain age that causes it. Estrogen had already been added to the long list of medication I'm given. Don't ask me how many tablets I take, I could write a book about them!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I suffer, and wonder what I can do, any ideas? I've recently read about banana tea?? I think that's a wild idea, what do you think?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-85075040494619955832024-03-03T02:11:00.000+00:002024-03-03T02:11:24.679+00:00My guilty secret!<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4QSA7pSvh-o?si=chBjc6Iz1xlvzXoG" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We were watching a film yesterday and in the back ground there were the faint strains of this song, it took me back to a hot sunny Saturday afternoon. I was driving along, windows open singing at the top of my voice to this song, I loved it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I was on my way to a tattoo parlour. I was supposed to be meeting my friend there, but she had cried off the day before, but I was still going to get a tattoo. I'd had my 60th birthday the previous December and I had decided to deny my age and have a tattoo! It was all booked and I had chosen my design.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years it has faded, (this is just a picture off the internet, similar to my tattoo)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's at the top of my left booby, but inside my bra, so quite hidden,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iqOfnbsG8laJNg8Rj-dHkdNUnD2X9FdKUFCyE-bBJynR6LWYCE2N7HvvKpIiWCjvLgYuLNb8ubccF_57cM6hJIxchITS4Un7lEvFaFIr9HTg1XCrGnLuJebN_MYuTOcy10yIp_CslI8CaPESt8wc3yAykjNObzIm4yTwc1-8PdD2UFepg__gXpaMGhbM/s364/OIP%20(31).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iqOfnbsG8laJNg8Rj-dHkdNUnD2X9FdKUFCyE-bBJynR6LWYCE2N7HvvKpIiWCjvLgYuLNb8ubccF_57cM6hJIxchITS4Un7lEvFaFIr9HTg1XCrGnLuJebN_MYuTOcy10yIp_CslI8CaPESt8wc3yAykjNObzIm4yTwc1-8PdD2UFepg__gXpaMGhbM/s320/OIP%20(31).jpeg" width="299" /></a></div>My sons know I have it, but not my daughter, she and her husband think they are much too 'posh' to have tattoos! But my grand daughter does. I've always said I'd tell my daughter when I was 80, well that's come and gone and I haven't told her yet, I may never tell her!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Strange how some people view them. There was an older lady in our Book Group in Suffolk who admitted of being afraid of people with tattoos. As it happened the young phlebotomist at the surgery had some beautiful ones on her arms. This older women said she dreaded having to have a blood test in case she had her. I was more than happy to have Lola do my blood tests, she was very good at her job and I never even felt a prick. And she was very attractive and her tattoos very pretty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I lived in Billericay, I used to drive people who couldn't drive to and from the church I attended. Some older ladies were my regulars and I was often asked to go in when it was at night, to put on the lights. I think they were afraid, I didn't mind. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One time after a Wednesday night church meeting, the old lady I took home asked me to just supervise her little dog outside for his last wee , and could I put out her black sack of rubbish and check the door was locked. Not a problem for me I didn't mind. As I was saying goodbye, she thanked me again and said, what a lovely Christian I was. I didn't remind her that not so long ago in a Wednesday night Bible meeting, she had said that those people with tattoos and piercing were doing so against the laws of God and not Christians!! I had a tattoo and ears pierced!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ah well what could I say?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Just got in my car and drove home, popped my own dog out for her last wee and put out my own black sack of rubbish, and made sure my own doors were locked!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Shall I tell my daughter? I don't think I will, its my own secret!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-10240387116086486642024-03-02T08:26:00.024+00:002024-03-02T08:34:21.577+00:00OK, Worth a read.......... And an Excellent book.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-COCoNs6FnmCzjJwcPMXgswx0DKDjeSjjPaXk2lc_Uhg8YDXd8_kEF09Wlsb3Z9LVVytr89yPcBofcZi8MteWelPSmKPcHuDJuEFaIUyYZfU0veEtTNel2dSHpUCPhLfTYldH72kpHbfMAXpvgm_pQrC2uufEU0k85WRwce5BTg9WIqqX80OZqKX_WNza" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="962" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-COCoNs6FnmCzjJwcPMXgswx0DKDjeSjjPaXk2lc_Uhg8YDXd8_kEF09Wlsb3Z9LVVytr89yPcBofcZi8MteWelPSmKPcHuDJuEFaIUyYZfU0veEtTNel2dSHpUCPhLfTYldH72kpHbfMAXpvgm_pQrC2uufEU0k85WRwce5BTg9WIqqX80OZqKX_WNza" width="154" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span>This book was our Book Group read for February. I found it confusing to get into at first as it had 3 stories running along side each other. I'll have to be honest I had problems sticking with it and only read it, because it was for the Book Group.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>It was very well written, although one thing really irked me one of the character's surname was 'While.' Why not White or even Whily??</span><span>Anyway the start got you right into the story with first few paragraphs. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It starts with ........</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On a sweltering afternoon a mother leaves her three children in a car, which had broken down on the side of a busy motor way, while she walks to the nearest motor way phone. Jack the eldest was told to look after his two sisters and she would be back as soon as she had phoned for help. But she never comes back and the children's lives consequently change for ever.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Three years later Jack is still in charge and doing as best as he can to look after his sisters. I loved the fact to keep people from knowing they were alone in their house, he cuts the front grass and keeps the windows clean. In fact Jack is a very resourceful boy, as we find as the story develops.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The plot rattles along and will keep you wondering where the plot will lead you. It swings back and fro from when the mother disappears 1998 and 2001. There was a comic element to the story and although listed as a mystery, that was a very loose in my opinion. Twists and turns were more like a wandering along, and what appeared improbably becomes plausible as it unravels, but it takes its time! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I had to read the end a couple of times, because I wasn't sure what had happened. I thought there was another chapter but it was a few pages of another book. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Worth a read? Yes, written well and Jack was amazing!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">*********</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is an amazing book and an excellent read. Dh read it first, as he did point out to me, he had paid half the cost! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhFbm4c1cD-xK8AW3ZXP-4-FYARHls8KN5FPNGoplx8pEyDLJls7X4JXne-ehDehKD_C_y0sidnszNDZ8ki-ZfzT-CDtuZy87kFFZMbZKLxvuQ1OlVnPIba4fv9Kvr1mJmd9r5JmPBwrmrIlcYvYdPJUII1q7dYbXbmyJXK-mhf87Zr77XhKqey70hdMLn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="213" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhFbm4c1cD-xK8AW3ZXP-4-FYARHls8KN5FPNGoplx8pEyDLJls7X4JXne-ehDehKD_C_y0sidnszNDZ8ki-ZfzT-CDtuZy87kFFZMbZKLxvuQ1OlVnPIba4fv9Kvr1mJmd9r5JmPBwrmrIlcYvYdPJUII1q7dYbXbmyJXK-mhf87Zr77XhKqey70hdMLn" width="156" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I am still reading it and I can't stop. It was after 12:00 midnight before I switched off my light Thursday night, and I was grateful that yesterday the weather was freezing cold with sleet and some snow, so I could stay in the warm and read|!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I finish this book I will write about it, but what I will say now, if you like a well written book with a strong story and very likable characters you will love this book, so get it and read it now!</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">Chrisxx</span></div><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-51232578946120013842024-03-01T07:58:00.008+00:002024-03-01T08:26:32.459+00:00Bits and cards and a very heavy buy!<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Yesterday, we had an afternoon in town, I needed some bits and Dh wanted to post a card to his bother in law, guess what? Yes he forgot it! I also wanted some birthday cards for a cousin, my youngest grandson and my eldest son. All cards for males, without pictures of beer, wine, football, golf, cycling or gardening on them. Why is it so difficult to find any that are suitable for men?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did find some with sea-scapes pictured on them, just nice but pricy from one of the gift shops. I don't really mind, after all they only have one birthday a year, and they're worth it. And then I mooched around looking at the little presents; they had bars of chocolate with names on. If they had one with my grandson's name I would have bought it, but none.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Since my arm injury I have my hair done regularly and watch the weather forecast, because it has to last between visits. I have found one here in town that does my hair beautifully except her helper manages to wet me every time when she washes it! So now I ask for a towel rolled up and around my neck, it works! So Thursdays are my hair day; we made it home before the rain, but only just!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I nearly bought some daffodils, but then thought I've loads here in the garden, I could pick some ready for St David's Day. We went into the Kitchen shop to buy a bake-stone. I didn't think I wanted one when I sold the old house, because my grandmother's was still there, poked into a corner. I regretted it as soon as the house went, but made do over the years with a thick bottom frying pan, in which I have only used as a pan to cook Welsh cakes. But now I've bought one, its cast iron and was very heavy to carry. </span><span>So now we have one to use to make Welsh cakes as it's St David's Day!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><u>Welsh Cakes</u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Recipe </u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8 oz S R Flour.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3 oz Marg</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3 oz Sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3 oz currants, or sultanas.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I large egg</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 Tsp of salt.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1 Tsp Nutmeg.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Small amount of milk</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Castor sugar to sprinkle on cooked Welsh cakes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Method.</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Mix all dry ingredient and then rub in marg.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Add fruit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Make a well and add beaten egg.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Draw in dry mix till all added in, add drop of milk if too dry.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Try not to wet it too much, it will look like a dough mix.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tip out onto a floured surface.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Roll out to about 3/4 inch thick</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Use a round or fluted cutter and cut out cakes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Place bake stone, </span><span>which has been very lightly greased and floured on gentle heated plate or gas.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Place Welsh cakes on it, spaced out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Turn after about 2 or 3 minutes and cook other side</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Place on wire rack to cool, sprinkle with castor sugar.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Eat and enjoy!</span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0SyI0_yFbBnCCmfNMcKXqisFEFgvF5hOTvH4ZSPffgglny1ZpfcrWh1TOLKOZNUF7oe3BmkPQg-v80n0H-brfMSUNoiKMtH5u8sz_QTE5btpLTRJTmYwO6jcrLtJmK3se7ss9yaYykQDOzoUvJ1f0LUAoXq-9knWV7PoWNkXJsFIJ4x1v6LtpfgwSU3o3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="448" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0SyI0_yFbBnCCmfNMcKXqisFEFgvF5hOTvH4ZSPffgglny1ZpfcrWh1TOLKOZNUF7oe3BmkPQg-v80n0H-brfMSUNoiKMtH5u8sz_QTE5btpLTRJTmYwO6jcrLtJmK3se7ss9yaYykQDOzoUvJ1f0LUAoXq-9knWV7PoWNkXJsFIJ4x1v6LtpfgwSU3o3" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: xx-large;">Chrisxx</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: xx-large;">Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus</span></div></span><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-15806526869602133912024-02-29T08:15:00.001+00:002024-02-29T08:15:32.726+00:00£20 a packet??<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeiazMd-vR6y4EHp1cgAshIi-ecT6NbQ5IHwXoSdFhHxc57LaSc2XmZkjh0GiguTzx_oPGeg-xFkr9Ql8oie5RarKNjiw2-vIt16g3ANmUBuzihmTK_Co-sjNPhHKoADKPbMCQb_pp3BEpFi_zLqCKz5ASaySV8GTa-Ys_U5TVA8AcHDVgwGAiauz2hxyO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="728" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeiazMd-vR6y4EHp1cgAshIi-ecT6NbQ5IHwXoSdFhHxc57LaSc2XmZkjh0GiguTzx_oPGeg-xFkr9Ql8oie5RarKNjiw2-vIt16g3ANmUBuzihmTK_Co-sjNPhHKoADKPbMCQb_pp3BEpFi_zLqCKz5ASaySV8GTa-Ys_U5TVA8AcHDVgwGAiauz2hxyO" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I used to smoke, stared as a nurse because every body did in those days and the dangerous effects weren't really known.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It seems the Government wants to raise the price of a packet of cigs to £20, to deter people from smoking, presently they average £14.59</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I found it very difficult to give up, I was hooked... but when my youngest son was shown films in school about the dangers of smoking each time I lit up, he used to get upset. I think he thought I was going to drop dead there and then. So I decided to make a real effort to give up, it wasn't easy. First I went with a friend to a hypnotist. For 2 days I was fine, didn't want a cigarette, then I was crawling the walls for one. Really I should have gone back and had a second session, but I didn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A year later I decided I'd try acupuncture. I remember it well. It was the last week of the summer holidays. So my four children and I drove to Southend, where I had made the appointment at an acupuncture clinic. I left my children in a MacDonald's. My ex was away with his work.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As I walked the short way to the clinic, I took the packet of cigarettes from my pocket and went to put them in a bill.. I hesitated and thought my world would end, but I did it! It was so hard, I was really addicted.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next day I tried pressing the pin 'thingy' in the side of my ear, it didn't feel like it was working, but I knew what to do. Go to places and do things where I never smoked. So we piled into my car and we went to Southend as soon as we'd had breakfast, because I never smoked in the open air. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The children played on the beach, the sun was lovely and I sat and watched them and read. We had sandwiches and crisps and fruit and I drank squash, not tea or coffee, I didn't fancy a cigarette with squash. When we got home, I went straight into the shower and my daughter, then 15 made our evening meal with my youngest son then 7 helping. I ate the meal and went straight into the bedroom, I never smoked in the bedroom. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did that for 5 days, it wasn't easy but with the help of the aquapuncture 'thingy' and my own children I did it! I had been a smoker for 20 years!! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So would I pay £20 for a packet if I still smoked? Probably, it's a drug and once you're addicted it not easy to give up. I'd never smoke again, not just for health reasons, but I don't think I could give it up again! I had the odd occasion in the past, when I saw people smoking in old films and I remembered that feeling of immense calm with that first inhalation, but of course I wouldn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Did you ever smoke? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-54475446140442909582024-02-28T08:25:00.000+00:002024-02-28T08:25:25.132+00:00Have we lost Freedom of Speech?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Dh and I are always careful speaking to other people, when we are out, because you can be accused of being prejudicial or non woke, for anything these days. Although I am happy to stick my head up above the parapet and state that I agree with J K Rowlings, that a woman is a person with a uterus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I see that once again she has been trolled for stating her opinion. Difficult these days as <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/profile/13494078135251214182">Angela</a> once said in a comment, about freedom of speech. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When we were living in Suffolk there was someone in one group we belonged to who was a 'trans' He/She was in her late twenty's, her name was J. She had longish hair, wore make up and female clothes. However J's choice of clothes were like those that teenagers wore. Some very short, with tops that had parts cut out, they always looked a bit out of place, but that's just my opinion. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was difficult to accept her as female, her face was very angular and although smooth did not look feminine. Tall and with muscular legs, J did not look like a young girl.. One week something upset J and she started to cry, I did feel sorry for her, but no way did J ever look like a female to me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So am I allowed to say that?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is very difficult, I would never hurt anyone's feelings. When we met her in a local supermarket and she smiled and approached us, we chatted to her as you would anyone else. On the same supermarket visit we met and chatted to our Dr! That what happens when you live in a small town.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think about freedom of speech, have we lost it?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-4320298998394659032024-02-27T03:53:00.001+00:002024-02-27T03:53:14.055+00:00A Singles Holiday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL3xTO80kv5SjArZkf-px1-M0fT861CsR7lX3d_O6OPaaOulydbB1AxZKbARw6pBj14rj28PrFVyuPcUL_shMzGTjMyh50JUgLiDmaSoyJ39j3qXkerICQOZRWENhE6OW80Cop5HQFad3YPV0jDcgjiSesoiF49JNpCEMEbz_EUeRZlxhmTmPVx0OQkgQW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL3xTO80kv5SjArZkf-px1-M0fT861CsR7lX3d_O6OPaaOulydbB1AxZKbARw6pBj14rj28PrFVyuPcUL_shMzGTjMyh50JUgLiDmaSoyJ39j3qXkerICQOZRWENhE6OW80Cop5HQFad3YPV0jDcgjiSesoiF49JNpCEMEbz_EUeRZlxhmTmPVx0OQkgQW" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Friends are the best and as you get older, they are even more precious. I still have two friends I was in school with, one in Junior School and one from my boarding school.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;">When we talk of course we speak about those times when we were younger, however my friends I made in later life are my bestest friends.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I met them through holidays with Single Group holidays. After my divorce in 1987 I joined several groups to go out socially. One group went to the theatre or cinema, others just met up for drinks or walks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Through the one I met up with Hillary, we looked for holidays for single people and found a firm called 'Small World.' For our very first we booked a New Year weekend in a hotel in North London. </span><span>Going together we saved money, because we shared a room, even though it was for Singles there was still a single supplement, unless you shared. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We agreed we wouldn't sit together or say we were together, so we could circulate and get to know other people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We loved it and because we had done some ball room dancing we could do regular dances as well as modern, jive and the usual shuffle that a lot of people do. I loved dancing, and the nights went on till the early hours of the morning, so it was exhausting. We used to met up in the afternoons for a rest on our beds and there we used to chat and giggle about men we had spoken to.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Hillary spoke about one man, who she had sat beside, who was asking did she own her own house. We never said we did, but that we lived with a son. </span><span>This man wanted someone to buy a property together with him in N Wales, to make it into a Singles Holiday house. Yes, he did ask me too and I had to say sorry, I didn't have a house to sell!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the Sunday of that weekend we decided we would sit on the same table on the last night with 6 other people and none guessed we were friends and neither did we say, but we were both were nearly hysterical laughing when the 'do you own your own house to set up a Singles Holiday home' man sat with us. He must have asked so many people he'd forgotten who he had asked!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I really did enjoy that first weekend away and although I never went to them, to meet men or for a partner, I did dance with a lot of men and one really lovely man who was wearing a lovely aftershave and he could dance. I remember it because the band was playing 'Lady in Red' and Hillary and I had been to a Chris de Burgh concert the previous year. We even danced together on the next evening too. I wonder what happened to him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> It was such a fun time of my life, and reading this, have you noticed I haven't mentioned the food, it was all very good, but it wasn't a big thing in my life in those days, I was 47 and slim!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I worked hard at my teaching job, paid the mortgage and bills but had a holiday fund. It wasn't easy being single with older children to support in Uni and one still in school, but every year I went on at least 4 weekends away, plus a holiday abroad. Often with Hillary, but I met three other women and we went on holidays together as well as visiting each other for weekends, I loved it all and them. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">That firm went bankrupt, which was a shame, because it was so good</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Those were the days!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-30280142228589101212024-02-26T09:51:00.001+00:002024-02-26T09:51:06.870+00:00How is he now?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">I stood at the French doors yesterday and stared out at the sheets of rain across the garden thinking, there must be a man called Noah in our town for us to have all this rain; tipping down was an understatement!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnZt1gi9Ej0dvbYof1ytcDYKmsYhaAqSkStlZEthbrKffyHLdvzxztANU9DpbklJ1mRnysC89j7m8gRuTBKDES7wN-dObYhWWM9-F3bSs8XBrvXSlB0RUw0dHNT2Su0OxoKPFI1417r2yUT9cAwCq9aw67AXsFykstGms_fTbRSTfd5NMRX9FebM48-X-W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="2560" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnZt1gi9Ej0dvbYof1ytcDYKmsYhaAqSkStlZEthbrKffyHLdvzxztANU9DpbklJ1mRnysC89j7m8gRuTBKDES7wN-dObYhWWM9-F3bSs8XBrvXSlB0RUw0dHNT2Su0OxoKPFI1417r2yUT9cAwCq9aw67AXsFykstGms_fTbRSTfd5NMRX9FebM48-X-W=w375-h184" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">I had thoughts of my youngest son, Michael, whose birthday it was, he will be 53.. but I haven't seen or even heard from him for nearly 15 years,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> you may ask why? And I'd have to say I don't know why, he decided I'd said something?? He won't talk to any of his brothers or sister either.</span></span></div></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">He was such a loving little boy When he was about 8 he used to crawl around the bed to my side and whisper 'Do you want a cup of tea Mummy?' It was usually crack of dawn! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We did a lot together, he was the youngest although not that younger than my other three children. So yesterday morning staring out at the rain on the garden I couldn't get him out of my mind. I send him cards and even postcards, but to no avail. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Such a heart ache to think of him, but he was always very able and is a very successful business man owning his own business.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He started off as an electrician and I wonder if he remembers how I encouraged him and paid for his college course, when he had a breakdown and moved in with me for 18 months. He was wonderful then and helped me get that house sorted, as I had sold a big house and down sized to a three bedroomed property, to allow me to leave a teaching post I hated.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We spent hours most evenings talking about his situation and that money alone doesn't make you happy, and he was happy to give up what he was doing to learn a new trade. I had 8 extra wall points in the two biggest bedrooms and extra wall points all over the house put in by him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He went on and trained to do plumbing and a gas safe engineer. So his business is kitchen, bathroom fitting and alterations. That was over 25 years ago and he always did well. It was he who fitted my new kitchen and it was amazing. I went on holiday and came home to a perfect kitchen. He is a perfectionist and Dh and I said once of one workman we had here, that's not up to Michael's standard and I let him go and got someone else!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I hope he opened his card, although who knows he might have recognised my handwriting and binned it, but as Dh said, I've tried. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I joined the watery rain and some tears fell while I was thinking about him</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-73866991934862663292024-02-25T23:25:00.005+00:002024-02-25T23:27:57.508+00:00Thank you<p><span style="font-size: large;"> ,,, for the comments on my previous post about Shamima Begun,, To answer some questions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Her daughter died at a year old of malnutrition, her second child a boy also died of malnutrition, her third child another boy died only weeks old of pneumonia.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, she is having Legal Aid and yes I guess we the tax payers are footing the bill. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Is she dangerous? I don't think so, anyway she'd would be tried as an enemy of the state when she returned and possible imprisoned.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The court case is to revoke the stripping of her British Citizenship which made her Stateless and is illegal according the 1981 British Nationality Act.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I still say she was just a school girl, a 15 year old, not mature enough to recognise what she was being dragged into. When asked would she get back with her husband. when he was released from prison, she said a very emphatic no, she would never stay with him. She was just used by him. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine, 15 and pregnant away from home and no friends. Of the other 2 girls, one was killed in an explosion and there is a strong possibility that the other one is dead too. They were all separated right away so not together to support each other. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Good to read others opinions about this..Thank you</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, she is a non white Muslin, and I'm ashamed to say that there are people at all levels in this country who are Islamophobic, even an MP has been sacked for suggesting that Sadiq Khan was being controlled by Islamics. There are rumours that the police are Islamophobic, who can we trust? </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Interesting to read all the comments.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993625127076778295.post-91651887657451238542024-02-25T03:54:00.003+00:002024-02-25T03:56:06.572+00:00What do you think?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm probably in the minority to say this, but I think this young woman should be given a chance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhojGKx8Xvnlqxez-codD2pxrYzv_2rTk3sZLMx4zOIJUFVqtJ1FPH3QGXA0k8ibT-XYmwzhkdzZO9nP0Mzyfxg-xORjuc8vYlQSGXhGG0BCt7wjOZuferWyG_G3E2AInP4w5GW9qVxSyt_ZzQBJX263w-CvkoIbYGuvOa6hUIxNbP59ZODYodOkfaOMXgT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="612" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhojGKx8Xvnlqxez-codD2pxrYzv_2rTk3sZLMx4zOIJUFVqtJ1FPH3QGXA0k8ibT-XYmwzhkdzZO9nP0Mzyfxg-xORjuc8vYlQSGXhGG0BCt7wjOZuferWyG_G3E2AInP4w5GW9qVxSyt_ZzQBJX263w-CvkoIbYGuvOa6hUIxNbP59ZODYodOkfaOMXgT" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Shamima Began went to Syria age 15 and argues she was lured there and exploited as a child bride. She was indeed married to an Islamic state fighter within days of her arriving there and consequently over the years had 3 children, all of whom have died.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Now age 24 she has asked to return to Britain, her British Citizenship was stripped from her in 2019. It was said that she had dual citizenship, that she was Bangladesi, however she is not recognized as a Bangladesti citizen , altho her parents were. She was born in UK and had never applied for a Bangladesi citizenship, </span><span>so it is argued to revoke her UK Citizenship was illegal, as it would make her stateless,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Her lawyers are fighting for her to be allowed to return to the country she calls home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The powers that be argue she is dangerous person and a threat to UK security? She is a young woman, do we really think she can outwit the British security? If she returns she could be tried as an enemy of the state and imprisoned, but that would be a hundred times better than the camp where she is now.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It seems to me this is a political argument and who would believe a politician these days?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I may only be looking at this from the view point of a mother and a woman. This young girl was one of three who were radicalized and trafficked to go to Syria and marry young men. She was only 15 and I can imagine after all they had been fed, the stories of young soldiers fighting for a cause, it seemed as though it was an adventure. She was introduced to the man she was to marry and 10 days later married. Her status as a female was to be a slave to her husband, to totally do what ever he asked. She had 3 children all who died and she has ended up in a camp, from which there is no escape.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Her mother talks of how her daughter's school clothes still hang in her wardrobe, how on her last birthday she asked for pizza instead of a Birthday Cake and still each year on her birthday, the family have pizza to remember her. She was only a school girl when she went.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The recent court case was to appeal against the removal of her UK citizenship and was dismissed and she is to remain in al-Roj camp, where the conditions have reach a critical point, with near starvation and disease now seen daily.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She made some very immature statements when interviewed, but some times when a person is backed into a corner, thoughts don't come easy. And was she afraid to say anything that could endanger her life?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think she should be allowed to return home, she has suffered enough, 9 years of her young life has gone, some one in power must see the compassionate side of this situation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Chrisxx</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18332613086771922320noreply@blogger.com9