You only get one!

 Be too much,

Be extra,

Live large,

Smile big,

Laugh hard.

Celebrate your d*nm self.

Open your heart,

Express your emotions,

Use your words,

Giggle,

Dance,

Soak in the sun,

Splash in the waves,

Breath deep and love your life..

You only get one.

Chrisxx

My town.

 Our town isn't known for its Christmas lights, but the shops always look good.. not quite dressed for Christmas yet. but still pretty. This is the flower shop with the lovely seasonal flowers and plants on view.

I was a Saturday girl in their other shop many, many  years ago!

I love this shop and buy a lot of plants from them. People have the opinion that they are expensive, but they are top quality plants and I've never had a failure from there. In this display there is a small artificial snowdrop plant that has silver sparkles on it and I want it!! It will look super in our front pots in all the greenery!

The Maple shops are lovely, here is the Children's shop, Love those little dolls displayed as though in windows. Maple is a firm and there are 6 shops all different. We like the kitchen shop too.

Bliss a gift shop and very nice too. and looking spectacular.

Even the charity shops look good!!

A lot of people here think town is not so good, but it is and there are some superb shops here. Someone started talking to me in one of the cafes a little while ago.( Well I might have said Hello to her first!' ) And she had bags full of things bought here and couldn't find enough good things to say, how nice our little town was. She was complaining that Swansea had lost a lot of shops and certainly didn't have gift shops there,  as we have here... anyway we love it and it fulfils our needs.. and altho I'm not a big advocate of Aldi, it suits me for walking on wet days!!

Chrisxx

Aches and pains, but it was worth it!

 I do have a lot of pots of spring bulbs,  but having seen Monty's  on Gardener's  World, and all his ready planted,  I wanted more! So a few evening ago with nothing of interest on TV, I looked for some bulbs I fancied.. 

I know some people don't like Grape Hyacinths but I love them and these white ones are so pretty..

I fancied these yellow crocus in my shallow bowl shaped pot..we have an assortment of colours planted in our front lawn, but they've all come up purple!

And who could resist these pale bell shaped narcissi, called 'White Petticoat Daffodils,' and so pretty and delicate/

Yesterday the sun shone, so after lunch we togged up to garden with the bulbs to plant first. As we stepped out of our French doors there was a light 'miserling' of rain! It's not heavy we thought. so we carried on. We work together rather than we do different tasks, because we get more done that way. The bulbs were done in no time and all topped with grit..

We cut down the single dahlias stalks and top dressed with spent tomato compost. I pruned the grape vine; we had the last bunches a few weeks ago. We had left 2 more bunches, as they get sweeter, but for the first time ever a big bird (magpie?) had eaten them! And then Dh cut down spent plants in the flower bed parallel to the bungalow wall and we were done...  but we were a bit soggy and my aches and pains were awful. I won't do that again. The other two flower beds will be done on a dry day!

The white patio is a bit muddy but a good rainfall or a couple of buckets of water will sort it! But we're very happy we've made a start to get our garden winter ready.

Chrisxx

Pam Ayres.

 FIFTY SHADES OF GREY BY PAM AYRES

The missus bought a paperback, down Shepton Mallet way, I had a look inside her bag;...T'was "Fifty Shades of Grey".

Well I just left her to it, and at ten I went to bed.

An hour later she appeared;

The sight filled me with dread, in her left hand she held a rope and in her right a whip!

She threw them down upon the floor, and then began to strip.

Well fifty years or so ago I might have had a peek, but Mabel hasn't weathered well, she's eighty four next week!!

Watching Mabel bump and grind could not have been much grimmer and things then went from bad to worse, she toppled off her Zimmer! She struggled back upon her feet a couple minutes later, she put her teeth back in and said

"I am dominator!!"

Now if you knew our Mabel, you'd see just why I spluttered, I'd spent two months in traction

for the last complaint I'd uttered.

She stood there nude and naked bent forward just a bit I went to hold her, sensual like and stood on her left tit!

Mabel screamed, her teeth shot out;

My God what had I done!

She moaned and groaned then shouted out:

"Step on the other one!!"

Well readers, I can tell no more, Of what occurred that day. Suffice to say my jet black hair,

Turned fifty shades of grey!!

Never read the book but love this daft poem!

Chrisxx

None so queer as folk!

 Yesterday afternoon was our end of year U3a Gardening group meeting.  Called a 'Celebration of a Successful Garden Club year' and took the form of a Bring and Share meal.

We always look forward to it as its always nice to share and chat gardens and more.

Yesterday was no exception.. and that odd man turned up again. We've noticed him at other events too. He doesn't come to regular monthly meetings, only when there's the food ones! Summer time he drank the wine that some members brought. Yesterday he sat near us. We had taken flasks of tea to drink along with the food and he asked me if the 'girls' made the tea and coffee as in other groups?? I asked him what 'girls' and he played deaf! Anyway he helped himself to a plate full of food several times. And as the members who brought along wine were sitting away from us, he got himself a glass of water.

He hardly spoke, fortunately some one came sand sat near to me so I was spared him sitting next to me. When we were giving out the Secret Santa presents, he took one even though he hadn't brought one? So I suppose one of the leaders went without. He left when we started to clear up, so strange.

But we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, lovely food and lots of laughter. And it was a good gardening club year. 

The group has been asked to give help and ideas for the Eastern Prom, garden strips. Redone, when the whole area has been re-built  to reinforce the sea wall. The firm that did it has had total failure, as the plants chosen and trees, all died in the salt air.  So an interesting project to plan next year.

That's the lovely thing about gardening, there's always next year!

Chrisxx

Old recipes.

 I felt a bit foolish yesterday, as Dh wanted a recipe for a cake and I knew I had it in my folder of loose recipes.

So as I started to go through it,  all sorts of recipes came to the fro.. some written by my Aunty Glad. Ginger Beer, Sticky Jaw Toffee, A Boiled cake, Welsh cakes! Her writing was very rounded and clear, but now faded and the papers stained and creased, where I had used them.

I could hear her voice telling me what to do and I was a bit weepy, she died 1990 so many years ago, but her voice sounded clear in my ear. 

How come our minds can do that after so many years have passed? 

Chrisxx

Last Christmas

We were all ready to go for a walk yesterday afternoon when the heavens opened and we were stuck in on a Sunday afternoon.

And so we watched this lovely little film and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sometimes you need a bit of of a 'cheesy' film.. it was fun and light and sad too.

And 'Wham' sang all the way through and that was lovely too.

Try it and see for yourselves, it chased away the rain and now we're in an early Christmas mode.

Chrisxx

Old Friends!

 Yesterday morning a friend came for coffee, we were in school together when we were 7 and altho her family moved away for a few years we kept in touch. 

We came from vastly different back grounds. Her father had two shops in the town, news agents, one was in the village just outside of town which she managed. I used to call in to see her with my children, when we lived there in the sixties and she used to spoil my children  allowing them to chose a book or a small toy as well as giving them sweets.

We laughed and laughed yesterday., when I used to threaten her with the dentistry bills I might have to pay out with all the sweets they ate from her.

I do have some lovely photo graphs of my two children and her outside the shop in the brilliant sunshine, I must look it up and others.

I always said my second child's labour and delivery was easy, because she had driven me in her little mini at top speed to the hospital over every bump there was on the road!

It was lovely chatting yesterday and remembering those sunny days when we were young. We've known each other for 75 years!

Chrisxx

You have to laugh!

 It was -1C when we were getting in the car to go to SW yesterday morning, although I didn't feel cold as I was wearing winter weight clothes, instead of my thin cotton dress.. I was expecting the scales to show a gain with the extra weight from my clothes, but no, I maintained my weight. I was very pleased, as I knew my extra clothes weighed 1.5lbs, yes I had weighed them! So now a new week and a downward trend to get below a certain weight before the big 'day.

And this is so laughable I had to write about it. It seems that in an area in UK, a council has asked gardeners, who use the garden refuse bins, to place them in a sunny spot in this cold weather, because the bins are freezing to the ground and the operatives are unable to lift them to empty then! Would you believe it?? It was even suggested to put them in a shed, till it was close to collection time to keep them warm! We don't know what time our garden waste is emptied as it varies from fortnight to fortnight, we actually pay £45 for 20 weeks and there's no room in our shed, is there room in yours? 

Laugh and keep laughing, it will keep us warm!

Chrisxx

Book Group

 Our monthly book group in the library has been moved to 12:00 md, so no hanging around yesterday, as we had to get into town, park and then walk to the library.  Altho of late we've been showering fairly early, well I say early, but before 10 am, so probably late for a lot of people.  Its because if I'm awake in the night, when I do get back to sleep, I sleep on past our usual get up time. 

We spent the first few minutes discussing our Christmas meal booked in December at the Italian  restaurant, where we went to for Dh's birthday. He and I have already decided what we'll have! Once we did get round to discussing the book, the general opinion was it was a 'nice' read, nothing to write home about.. so 'The Keeper of Lost Things' was shelved.... but then we were joined by a young man, who had come to join our group and had read the book. 

He had delved deeply into the book and had formed opinions on the characters, their emotional relationships, their inner feelings and compared it to another book and film. He never stopped talking, I had to jump in when he took a breath, to say 'Moving on,'  what did one of the other members think about it. So that's going to be interesting in the future if he comes back. He had come on the bus from Maesteg, so why to our little library?

Our next read is Josephine Tey's,  'The Daughter of Time' so an easy read. I read it years ago. but can't remember it!

Bitterly cold today only 2.4 C and we've had a frost. I'm going to be pounds heavier at SW tomorrow with all the extra clothes I'll be wearing! 

Hope you're keeping toasty warm where you are.

Chrisxx

How I made the collage, step by step.

 I did this on my phone, but I must take better photographs!

On your phone select Gallery  

1.Select 'create'

2.Select pics you want.

3. Under the pics looking at your phone, select configuration you want.

4 Click save

5. I then emailed it to myself, so it was in a folder on my laptop

I can't see another way to be able to use it on my laptop at the moment.

Hope this helps

Chrisxx

I can do it!

 So many silly little things give me a joy in my heart.. I have at last found out how to group photos and I'm thrilled I can.

Yesterday because it was cold and wet our walk was in the new big B&M in Bridgend, and the shelves were full of Christmas decorations and toys. So gave me the opportunity to take some pics and play.

Here are my results, not wonderful but a start.

Chrisxx

Can't wait for bed time!!

 Isn't it lovely when your day goes just right? I wanted a copy of Kristin Hannah's  'Winter Garden.' An ebook via my kindle was the cheapest, so I bought it to read in bed. Annoyingly it failed to down load. So I cancelled it, waited a bit,  bought it again.. Didn't down load again, so cancelled it again. I was really disappointed, but looked and found a paper backed copy on ebay, from Awesome books, only  £4.91, cheaper than an ebook and no postage. The kindle version was £5.99!

It arrived yesterday via the Post Office, I saw the Post man through the kitchen window and rushed to the front door and had a lovely chat with him. He thought our car number plate was Ipswich, in fact its a London one, although we bought it in Suffolk So I practically had his life history, as his in laws are from Suffolk. It was really nice hearing about him, 'I'm not Welsh,' he said, just living here. And indeed he didn't sound Welsh either. I felt proud to say I was from here, born here and moved back home here four and a half years ago.

I couldn't wait to get to bed to read my Kristin Hannah book last night.  Amazon have returned my money, I've never had a problem with money being returned by Amazon. 

So I was a very happy 'bunny' what bliss!!

Chrisxx 

In Training?

 

It was lovely to see Prince George with his mother, Catherine Princess of Wales at the Royal Albert Hall Remembrance Day Service.

Is this the royals gently introducing him to the duties that will be expected of him as a future King?

All three children have a close relationship with their parents and it is well known in school holidays,  the children's needs come first with both their mother and father.

Like a lot of the general public I do like to see the Royal Children, always dressed beautifully, altho we've seen a certain Sheep design cardigan passed down to the younger children, just as in the ordinary families! And Charlotte wearing the same coat on several occasions.

Chrisxx

Getting things done.

 We took our time yesterday and had a relaxing morning and then did umpteen little jobs in the afternoon. Really we felt we should have gone into the garden, because after the rain the day before, the sun was brilliant. 

Dh decided to make the marmalade that he's been going to do for a few weeks using the tinned prepared oranges, called Ma Made. He never used to use this till he married me! He spent hours slicing oranges and it was all delicious, but so is this!  So we have 8 jars of marmalade, 6 lbs on a shelf in our pantry.

While he was making this I did somethings I've been meaning to do too. 

I checked out the spices and herbs in a drawer.. 32 were out of date! I think we brought them us when we moved here! The kitchen smelt of spices as we emptied the little pots.. Trying to find the out of date, 'date' on the pots was unbelievable, so tiny and in different places. Some however was easy to decide as the spice was solid inside!

Then I tackled the drawer with all the kitchen rolls of paper, foil and plastic bags. Little pots of pills had spilt in there and there were some batteries. Now all tidied and the batteries in a small crate.

We both felt really good and happy that we'd actually got some little jobs done. It will be the garden next week and then it will be safe to 
start a jigsaw! Sometimes things take a lot less time than you think and the feeling of satisfaction when they are done makes you wonder, why you didn't get them done before!

Chrisxx

Would my life have been different?

 My mother would have been 109 yesterday, she died age 26.. I often wonder how my life would have been if she'd lived and my father had been De-mobbed earlier.

I was pushed here there and every where as a small child, and when my grand mother was in one of her temper tantrums, she often shouted she wished she'd sent me to the work house, well she was born in 1887.. but I survived, probably because my aunt paid for me to board at that amazing school.

But I wish my young life had been different. I tried really hard to give my own children the childhood I didn't have. I read to them, I played with them, we went to the park, I took them swimming, and anything they needed for school they had...  and the best, no second best. It wasn't easy their father was mean with money, but I could sew, so I made clothes for friends children, altho I never took any orders for clothes I didn't think I could do!! But it gave me extra money.

When my daughter started dancing lessons, when they had shows, I made a lot of the outfits and my daughter had free dance lessons. I think one year I made 6 tutus , whew they were difficult to make! I belonged to WAM, Working Association of Working Mothers. And through it I organised a swap group, so my son had football boots and a friend's daughter had ballet shoes!

I never let the worst of things get in the way of having fun with my children, When I found out about the full facts of my 'ex's life style,' I wanted to leave, but how would I afford to live.  My best friend told me about the extension college of a University in the next town. She looked after my youngest when I went for the interview.. and 3 years later at 39 years of age I got a B.ed and I had a job teaching, which   meant I could support myself and my children, altho only my youngest was really still at home. My Ex and I had a big discussion of how we'd go on and it lasted 4 years, but it didn't work out and I filed for a divorce. It wasn't easy or pleasant, but most holidays I returned here, to my home. Only my two aunts were alive and they were only too happy to see me and who ever of my children were free to come in those 4 years.

In 1987 I bought my own house, and we started living free of lies and deceit, altho I couldn't afford the Hair Dressing Salon I used to use and had a cry in the shower about a perm that went very frizzy!!.. Since then of course in 2004 I met Dh and he is the husband I thought how husband's should be. He's kind, loving and thoughtful and we live very happily. So would I have ended up here with Dh if my mother had lived? I still have quiet weeps looking at her photograph. I was two and a half when she died and I have a very vague memory of her in a bed..I never stopped wanting a mother.. but it wasn't to be.

I do look a bit like her. 

Chrisxx

Mornings or Evenings??

 When I worked full time I used to get up about 5:40 most mornings. I sent a text to my friend or she sent me one, just to say we were still breathing! I went straight down stairs to let out the dog, I had Boysie then and Kizzie my cat, I made myself  a cup of tea and took it back upstairs.. Boysie used to come up with me and made himself comfy on the bed. I had an ensuite, so showered with him in view, and every other day washed my hair.

I was back downstairs in my undies with my dressing gown on by 6:30. I usually had a cereal or porridge, another cuppa, made my pack lunch, gave the animals their breakfast and at about 6:45, had on my clothes and I took Boysie round the block.. we'd be back home by 7.. All this with no sound, no radio or TV, I liked it quiet. On mornings when I didn't have my hair to blow dry, I played my piano for about 20mins..then coat on ready to go. I settled the dog, loads of kisses and orders to be good, no piddles in the kitchen please, made sure the kitchen door was closed, and he had fresh water. I had  a lady check him at l:00 pm ish. The cat had eaten and gone, she came and went via an upstairs fan light window!

My school bag was by the front door all ready, so all I had to do was pick it up and step the few steps to the car. I was usually driving the 20mins drive to school by 7:25..

I did this for years and I liked the quiet.. so these days when people bounce up to me before I'm awake, its like screaming in my head. Last Friday when we arrived in SW I wasn't well, I'd been awake for a couple of hours in the night and felt 'delicate!' Its difficult to make some people understand that you don't want hugs and loud noise in the morning! Dh knows!!

So I'm sure the person who thought I needed cheering up and loud chat, was surprised when I pushed her away.. but if I hadn't I'd have started screaming, instead of my protestations to just let me be! I am not a morning person, are you?

Chrisxx

The Jab

 
Yesterday I had my umpteenth covid jab and apart for my second one, this one has made me feel proper poorly.

Arm aching and hot feeling and even worse diarrhoea fortunately  we keep a well stock medicine cabinet, actually is a drawer!

But not just myself, in fact Dh is the same.. we had a laugh because we only have one toilet and I said what would we do if we both needed it together... Dh's answer, some one could use a bucket outside!!! 

But we felt better at bed time and with two paracetamol we went to bed. I shall be having a day or two resting.

Chrisxx

Always Remember

 Eleventh hour on the Eleventh day of the Eleventh month

We will never forget.

Chrisxx

A delicious meal!

              I'd be very surprised if you didn't like this

Ingredients for 2

2 Salmon cutlets

8g butter (2 syns for SW)

400g Mushrooms

 500g Spinach

50g Fat reduced Cream cheese (Philadelphia or similar)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 level tsp whole grain mustard

2 tsp lazy Garlic or 2 cloves

1 tbsp Water

Extra side, French Beans.(optiomal)

Method

Cook salmon in the butter and put to one side.

Gently cooked the sliced mushrooms in the same pan

Add spinach and garlic and mustard, salt and pepper and cook gently till spinach is wilted

Then add the cheese and water till the cheese has melted 

and let it sweat down.

Place salmon on top of  mushrooms and spinach and place lid on pan.

Allow it all the slowly cook through and the salmon is hot.

Cook French Beans to serve with salmon and veg.

Serve and enjoy.

This is absolutely delicious and we will be having this regularly.

Its so nice to find a new recipe for SW!

Chrisxx

Me Walking!

 Porthcawl Park Run takes place each Saturday. Its 5K from the harbor to Rest Bay and back.

On average there are about 300 plus runners, a lot doing it for a charity but many for the fun of it! 

Fun?? I used to think that walking was boring, but I've got better and I must admit it has helped me.  And it was a gloriously sunny day yesterday and it felt warm, so Dh and I went to the front promenade and had to park on the bit of road where Blue Badge holders are allowed to park. On sunny days people flock here and every where is crowded, so parking is difficult. 

We usually park at the same place mainly because the pavement is tarmacked and so I don't have to worry about uneven paved areas. My legs are a lot stronger, but I still walk very carefully and I'm happy to let people over take me!! I'm still paranoid about falling so hang onto my wheels and with the physio's words still in my head, I lift my feel higher than I think I need to.

We avoid this 'pod' too tempting to have a short bread biscuit with a coffee. (It has changed owners now)

Friday when it was raining we went to Aldi to walk up and around their wide aisles!! We did buy some bits, but we still have our groceries delivered from Tesco.. if its too wet to walk out next week, we'll walk the aisles of the Coop!! At least I'm walking!

Chrisxx

Great TV

 Did you watch it? We did and loved it!

Alan Carr was amazing, I think he won, because each time he was asked if he was Traitor he laughed and giggled his way out of the question.

So many iconic scenes, Celia's fart, the singing under water, the explosion in the last game.

Will there be another so dramatic, I wonder?

But now to take its place in Celebrity Race Across the World. I think Anita Rani and her dad will win, altho Dylan Llewelyn and his Mum Jackie's slow start might prove to be a winning strategy..

Anyway I'm loving it so far!

About time we had some decent programmes, after all we pay the license fee! It has seemed sometimes the schedules were all for young people, especially Saturday evenings, but its us oldies who stay in and watch TV.

Chrisxx

The Day After..

 Many thanks for all your comments about my UTI,  its becoming a real problem in my life. Our Surgery is having problems, so you can't get through to see a Dr and recently one has left, so they are even more pressed to see anyone from our 16,500 people who populate our town. There is just the one surgery. I have written twice to the Practice Manager and spoken to him face to face, but unfortunately the dire situation persists. So many people complain on the town FB page; I always comment and suggest they write their comments to the Practice Manager, if enough people did, there might be changes.

The 17 steps are from my bed to the toilet, not a stairway! I leave the door open, so its easy and I don't flush every time to save water.

Anyway in spite of being up drinking tea at 5:00, Dh had joined me, I didn't feel too bad yesterday. I went back to bed and he stayed up because its our Tesco delivery in the morning. 

When the rain stopped in the afternoon, we ventured into the garden to plant the foxgloves and aquilegia seedlings I had sown ready to plant out now.. We still have weeding and tidying to do ready for winter, but we'll do 20 minute sessions to get it all done over the next few weeks when it's dry.

Being outside made me feel loads better, and it didn't feel cold.

Gardens always make me better!

Chrisxx

WITS END!!

 This week has been a roller coaster of misery for me.. once again I am struck down by a condition that now seems to be chronic and the only person who seems to care is me! I know I've seen Drs and had tablets but I'm still unwell. Did you know that A&E departments give out free tea, coffee and sandwiches and biscuits? Neither did I till my 6 1/2 wait on Monday afternoon!! I eventually saw a young Dr who asked me had I tried Cranberry juice?? I could  have screamed.

It was a nightmare, he gave me some more antibiotics and they have relieved my symptoms, but here I am up in the middle of the night, because I can't sleep and I'm in and out of bed like a yoyo staggering the 17 steps to the toilet!

I think I'll have to see a Dr privately, I can't go on like this,  I'm over tired and at my wits end.

Chrisxx

A happy day.

 We had such a lovely day on Saturday, in spite of the wind and rain! We set off for coffee and croissants, and as we parked the rain stopped, and gave us a break to get to Costa. Of course as Dh has a loyalty card he had a free cake for his birthday! 

We met people we know and chatted and after, while Dh went to the butchers for a rib of beef for our Sunday dinner,  I walked through town to get some tooth paste. I met some one from our gardening group and we chatted about our next meeting, which is our review of the year and celebration, our 'bring and share meal.' It reminded me we would need to buy some presents for the secret Santa.. we needed 2 lots,  as our book group meal has secret Santa pressies too. 

And I found the perfect presents, something I'd like myself. I was so pleased  . 

Dh was happy too and came walking towards me, smiling like a Cheshire cat. We drove home via Rest Bay, which had about 50 plus surfers! And quite a few people on the beach watching. November 1st and only 12C that is dedication!

We watched from inside our warm car, well we're a bit old to be surfing in November!

Chrisxx

Birthday happiness and an unexpected bonus!

 

Today is Dh's birthday and he's had a lovely time.

Yesterday we invited some of our SW friends to join us for lunch at an Italian restaurant and we all ate as though we didn't belong to a sliming group!

Dh and I had pizza because we never have that at home, we brought more than half home as it was too big to eat in one meal for us. Dh had a starter too, Calamari Fritti and I had a taste, wow it was amazing. All six of us had something different and we all  thoroughly enjoyed our meals.. I had Profiteroles for pud, Dh had Tiramisu and all our plates were cleaned. It is so nice to go out and eat normally when you're dieting!!

Such a super time, good food and loads of laughter!

And an absolutely unbelievable letter in the morning for Dh was from HMRC, tax dept, he's had a very substantial amount of money from them, as they had under paid him 21 years ago!! We were whooping it up in our lounge this afternoon. Who would have believed it?

So a lovely day all round and today we have some treats planned for our evening meal. I can see its going to be bread and smell for me the rest of the week before I step on those SW scales, but it was worth it.

Chrisxx