Panic!!

 We had the Nationwide alert this evening on our phones and the message came through all in Welsh!! Well, yes we're attempting to learn Welsh, but we're only just starting our 3rd year.. Oh heck what does it flipping well mean??

We recognised one of the leading words, 'gan' It's a fire alert I said, then reading through we recognised the names of towns.. I quickly switched on my laptop and searched for 'Alert' and there it was AB advising the dangers of open fires etc and  then again the Alert came through this time in English!! Phew! 

I can well understand why people in WW2 felt panicky when the Sirens sounded warning about air raids. 

So our new Prime Minister, Andy Burham has spoken to the Nation!

Gosh that sound did make us feel panicky.

What did you think?

Chrisxx

Falling!

 Ugh!! I'm not usually afraid of spiders but don't go out of my way to love them!

Yesterday I nearly did what I always dread, over balancing in the bathroom while in the 'nud!

I keep my shower cap hanging on the side of the towel rail, I picked it up and went to put it on and this little fella, (or one like it)  fell out down on to my boob!!

I screamed and went to jump back and over balanced and nearly fell. I don't know how I did it, but I managed to grab the basin and kept upright.

Dh came rushing in and put his arms around me. He thought I'd tripped on the bath mat, and had quite a fright. When I said it was a spider, he just smiled. I had to shout,  'it fell on to my boob.'

'Cheeky thing,' he said.

I did have a dreadful fright and now  will check inside my shower cap, each time,  before going to put it on! I'm sure you'd have had a fright too?

Chrisxx

Back!!

 Its lovely to see plums on our Victoria plum tree. we had a few last year,  but this year its loaded. We shall just eat them altho if there is enough, I wouldn't mind making some Spiced Plum Jam with walnuts, a favourite of mine.

I've pulled up my big girl pants and got on with things by cleaning, and sorting out some clothes and shoes for the charity shop. In fact the shoe 'grave' yard under my chair in the bedroom was my first task! Nine pairs all tried on and discarded for one reason or another and gathering dust! Some went back into the bottom of my wardrobe, some out and new bought and never worn in the bag for the charity shop! And I feel better for doing it as well as tidying one section of my ward robe.

It was like a perfect summer afternoon yesterday, only 20C and we've had some rain, so a lot cooler and we had our French doors open, enjoying the breeze and the sunshine.

Our beautiful 'Susan' rose continues to bloom and give us joy.

 Has it cooled down where you are and have you had rain?

Chrisxx

In the dumps!

 I've neglected my blog and reading blogs, the hot weather has really got to me.. the garden is looking as sad as I've been feeling, I've been down in the dumps!

We have been out, but hurried home before the midday temps as 28C and even 24C is just too hot. 

The AC in Costa, which we have always complained about as being too cold, has been as welcome relief, when we have had to go to town for anything!

Dh has been so good watering the pots, tomatoes and our small veg patch with watering cans, even though we don't have a hose pipe ban. All the garden is looking dry and there are crisp leaves on the ground, except that self seeded California Poppy, which is thriving and even more flowers have appeared! What magic has it got to survive without watering??

I've been listening to this book from the library through Borrow Box. Sad and  poignant about an 89 year old man Bo, his aging and increasing fraility and his carers and love for his dog Sixten. 

When it starts to become obvious, that he is unable to care for his dog, not being able to take him for walks, his son Hans steps in to suggest that Sixten should go.

The feelings of Bo, his look back at life and relationships are heart rendering.. so lovely, yet sad.

I am thoroughly enjoying the story and would recommend it to anyone, whether you read the book or listen to someone reading it to you.

Chrisxx 

20 Years

 

20 Very Happy Years today.

It was a very hot today like today and we had a lovely day with our families and friends.. 

Chrisxx

TAX

 A new Prime Minister and new Chancellor of the Exchequer could mean a loss of income for people like me, an Old Age Pensioner.

Our pensions have a so called guarantee of the Triple Lock so that state pensions stay with or abreast of the cost of living. A new broom could mean we'd lose this, but even worse for me, if it is risen,  take my pension above the tax thresh hold. I already pay tax on one of my pensions, which I paid into voluntarily. 

It grieves me to think I thought ahead and prepared for my old age and yet  people, who made no provision get relief.. I'm not saying they shouldn't have anything, but I don't want to pay tax on my own paid into pension nor any more tax on money I have saved. 

Am I being mean or just protecting my own income. I have never claimed anything from the State.. even when my son was desperately ill, and his prescription costs were above my income. I did some private teaching to pay. So I suppose you could say I was earning without paying tax. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do!

The new PM has all sorts of ideas, but where is the money coming from? Yes the ordinary everyday people through tax!  Are you a tax payer, is it fair?

Chrisxx

10 Facts every woman should know.

 1.Everyone has rolls when they bend over.

2.When someone tells you you're beautiful, believe them, they ain't lying.

3.Sometimes we all wake up with breathe that could kill a goat.

4.Some women complain about their stretch marks, and there are others who wish they had them.

5.You should definitely have more confidence , and if you saw the way others see you, you would.

6. Don't look for a man to save you, be able to save yourself.

7. Its ok not to love every part of your body, but you should.

8.We all know that woman who appears to have it altogether, that woman with the seemingly perfect life. Well, you might be that woman to someone else.

9.You should be a priority, not an option, nor a last resort, or a backup plan.

10. You're a woman and that alone makes you pretty damn remarkable. 

Which of these facts do you agree with the most?

Chrisxx

All true

 

Chrisxx

Hot, hot, hot!

The curtains are closed, the windows are closed, it's like the black hole of Calcutta!  We haven't been out, even to the garden. Its just so hot, our Trail Cam registered 30C on our SW facing patio!

When we said we were moving here to Wales, our neighbours in Suffolk, said, 'it rains a lot there'.. but actually in SE Wales there is less rain. But this heat wave is bad, I am not liking it at all.  My son, who still lives in Suffolk says there has been a sprinkling of rain and its been cooler the last few days.

We are watering our pots, but by evening the plants are drooping, and our herbs are suffering too. The only plants liking it are the lavenders! And my little self seeded California poppy in the front garden, and where did it come from, as we had none in the front? 

We do a little bit of cleaning in short spurts. I set out today to sort out some drawers, filled a carrier bag for a charity shop, and that was it! I sat in my cane chair while I sorted out my sock drawer. My favourite chair, free from my son when he had his furniture shop. He used to take away a bed, when a customer bought a new one and he was asked would he take the chair as well.

It's a big joke between Dh and myself, as I always say its my favourite chair and the most comfortable, even more comfortable than my reclining one!

I can't wait for some rain, our shrubs are showing signs of lack of water, and the grass is like dry straw, but it will all green up as soon as we have rain. 

How are you faring?

Chrisxx

Nature wins!!

It has be the right soil, not too sandy, not too heavy, not stony, doesn't flood and drains well. Rich in organic matter to support a healthy root system. Fertilization may be necessary to supply essential nutrients.

It has to be the right position, not too shady, not too open or hot and not to exposed to wind. Some plants may require 6 hours of sunlight while shade loving plants thrive best away from direct sunlight.

The temperature has to be right, Antirrhinums like a cool temperature to germinate, while Zinnias, Petunias prefer a warmer temperature. Daily temperatures also affect growth. In spring time gardeners will protect certain plants at night if a dip in temperature is forecast.

Water is essential, and it has to be consistent and adequate, as it acts as a solvent for nutrients and supports photosynthesis. But over watering can cause root rot, while under watering stresses the plants and reduces flowering.

So if your gardening isn't flowering, you got it wrong!

But ............ this California Poppy, arrived while the daffodils were dying down and despite the fact, it hasn't  been watered, is in a scrappy bit of soil at the edge of the grass, faces south, so in the heat of the day in these searing temperatures, it has survived and not only continued to flower, but the blooms have increased from 4 originally to these, 20 plus!.

I guess nature will always win! Isn't it extraordinary?

Chrisxx