Jeannie in a bottle

dating websites....are they worth it?

2012-01-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

Is there really any point of joining any dating websites?
Even the ones who claim to "match" you to someone of similar interests?
Speaking from recent experience of "just browsing" certain sites, I would say no they are not. Also, the last person I saw for any length of time, and just "left"...with no actual splitting up involved....I met in person
I know that some people have gained proper working relationships through dating websites, but just as many ...if not more seem to be disappointed.
One site I "browsed", (problem is you have to join to browse,) suggested I send a certain person a message, as we were a "match".
The person in question I have actually met, and I know him to be a player. In fact he told me how he usually "played". He would have at least one woman who he would be exchanging e-mail, IM and maybe phone calls with, but not actually met, at least one would be lined up for a first date, and another he would be "getting into bed". He admitted that no "relationships" lasted too long. In the time I knew him, he also started up an affair with a married woman, which to my knowledge went on at leas v3 years, maybe is still happening, I don't know, I broke contact with him as his antics began to disgust me even more.

I truly would love to find another lovely man, like the last one I saw...who stuck around for longer, but I just don't believe that anything online works well.
After all, the best relationship I have had was one where I met the person in person in the first instance, by encountering them actually on the street where I live. I doubt that would happen again....unless he came back from his home country, which is unlikely.

Crazy Adverts!

2012-01-18T05:58:00.001-08:00

We have a supermarket here in the UK that is German owned..and is gaining ground against the usual UK supermarkets.
The layout is kept very similar...week after week...they have specials..and only they move around.
I'm talking about Aldi...throughout the year they have a "super six"...these are a selection of veg....presumably the most abundant at that time of year...the dearest super six to date has been 69p/item.
THINK about it...use the "super six" in your meals...you reduce the price.
What I especially like is Aldi's adverts...
This one in particular made me laugh
http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/service/22683.htm

What I think it is saying...is..not only women need to lose weight....and it is most certainly thumbing it's nose at the "Special K" campaign"

Waiting

2012-01-11T02:37:00.000-08:00

Today is going to be a day of waiting for me.
I have to wait in for a telephone appointment with the doctor, and wait in for delivery of my new fridge.
Samantha saw this fridge on Saturday and then picked me up to go look at it.
It will be good to have a decent sized fridge again.
My old fridge, the one that died was a five foot tall 600mm wide larder fridge. The one I have been using lately, loaned to me by my friend is an under-counter 500mm wide one with a freezer compartment taking up a third of it's space inside. With doors not big enough to hold much.
The new fridge isn't as wide or quite as tall, but is just a larder fridge so I will be able to store things I am accustomed to storing in the fridge.

My new fridge did not arrive...but the doc phoned me prior to the time I was told.
50% result is better than none I suppose.

I received a Kindle

2011-12-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

Yes!!! For Yule my children....all adults now, clubbed together and bought me a Kindle.
I have always loved reading...from as young as I can remember.
On that tack...I don't recall exactly how old I was..but Mum asked me to keep an eye on the level of the water in the washing machine. All I clearly remember is Mum shouting a me because there was water overflowing and I hadn't told her that the machine was full. Another thing I know clearly is that this incident occurred before I started school! (In the UK....children usually start school at some point in the "school year" they turn 5) I started in the September after my fourth birthday, (July).
However, Oliver had talked through last time he was home ...IF I would welcome a Kindle. I said yes....because...all the classics are free, and when an author releases a HUGE tome...it won't be hard to handle on the Kindle.
And I love reading...so knowing that I could store reading on a Kindle was a plus.

I did receive other Yule gifts...Music, a book, a Waterstones voucher...you see a theme here?

And then my fridge died!
Why did my fridge chose 27th December to die?
Summer and Yule/Xmas are the two times of the year you need your fridge to co-operate.....and last night my fridge laid down and went into a coma...it hasn't died...the light is still on....but to all intents and purposes...My fridge is dead!
I am blessed with some very good friends who when I asked to borrow their mains cool box loaned me their "spare" fridge, with a no-pressure loan....they would like it back in Late February..plenty of time to shop around for the best buy.

So...although I have had a pretty disappointing closing months of 2011. I do have some really lovely people around me...and hope they will be there to push me, kicking and protesting, into 2012...where I think I should begin my search for that someone special....who wants to be with me.

I did think I had found him.....but a phone call on Xmas Eve...bitter/sweet made me see that my beautiful, strong Eastern European friend was not the one. I'll never forget him, and he will always have a special place in my heart...Tiz a really good job a person's heart can expand to accommodate the love they feel for the special people in their life...otherwise we would have people exploding everywhere...but there again..I am presuming people are as soft hearted as I am

What did Santa bring you?

2011-12-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

Amongst other things...I have two ...sorry three really best pressies.
1. A Kindle...Sam, Oliver and Edwin clubbed together and got me one
2.The latest Ozric Tentacles CD
3. a voucher to buy "books" for my Kindle

and a close 4th...A Waterstones voucher.

Peaceful December

2011-12-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

I wish everyone who reads my blog a peaceful December..and hope January isn't too harsh

Heading for another recession? RUBBISH!

2011-12-21T04:01:00.000-08:00

They keep saying this on the news!
Why?
In many areas we never came out of the previous recession, therefore we can not go back into something we have not come out of.
Certainly in this area there has not been any signs of coming out of the previous recession.
So! news announcers, can you please take off your blinkers and look at the bigger picture...and all the bits you usually ignore around the edges before you make such sweeping statements?
By announcing the likelihood of "another" recession....or "double-dip" you are implying there have been better times in the interim. For the people on high wages this might actually be true, however for your average UK worker this is not true.
Just keep your mouths shut...haven't you heard the sayings? "No news is good news!" and "empty crates make the most noise".
In other words, if you don't have anything positive to say, why not just keep quiet instead of making meaningless noise which can cause people to worry?

Pressure phone selling

2011-12-21T03:54:00.001-08:00

I'm sure most people are aware of this..
A company will phone you up...9 times out of 10 when you are eating a meal, and claim they are not trying to sell you anything...they might be a company you deal with in one way or another....but then...they try to sell you something.
I know I have a strong accent, but I am fairly sure that "I am happy with my current provider" is pretty clear.
It was my mobile phone company trying to get me to change my home phone and broadband to them. AND.....when I said I was tied into a contract...they offered me a cash incentive to change my provider! :O
After I put the phone down on the the pushy salesman...I thought of another possible scenario....

PHONE RINGS
woman answers phone
"hello"
"hello....I'm from blokes'r'us"
"What do you want?"
"Are you currently in a relationship?"
"Yeeeeees......?"
"Are you happy with your current relationship?"
"Yes, in fact I have just entered into a lifetime contract"
"Lifetime contract?"
"Yes, we were married two weeks ago"
"Ah, well, we can offer you an up-grade!"
"Up-grade?"
"Yes, we can guarantee any relationship we provide for you will be more romantic, more loving, and will work out much less costly"
"But........I have only been married two weeks. I promised to stay with him until death do us part"
"Well, we can offer a cash incentive to free you from your contract."
"You mean like phone service providers offer?"
"Yes, exactly like that"
"But I've only been married two weeks!"
"Well...in that case we can offer you a sizeable sum...because breaking your contract so soon would carry very heavy penalties"

OK....at what point would you put the phone down..or would you take them up on their offer.
Is loyalty negotiable, and at what point does it become non-negotiable?

Why don't most Americans speak English?

2011-12-19T03:47:00.001-08:00

Well....it's not so much the spoken as the written English Americans speak that I have trouble with. They should admit they speak American, then English people would know to have a phrase book at hand when reading something written by n American author.
For example, in the book I am currently reading one of the characters keeps her laptop in her purse! That is one hell of a purse! (I do know that one)
But why sidewalk? What is wrong with footpath, it says exactly what it is..unless you live around Morecambe where it seems to mean cycle track...no matter how busy it is with pedestrians
One I am never sure of...why would someone have bangs on their head. To me a bang is what you get when you drop something heavy, or there is a crude slang meaning. But neither of these have anything to do with anyone's head.
Perhaps my American friend who speaks sensible English could help me out? Blue?
Why claim to speak a certain language, then change words as and when you like?

wow!

2011-12-14T15:52:00.000-08:00

I now have over 50 followers!
Gosh!
This is just my blog....just my thoughts...sometimes daft, sometimes off at a tangent
Still is nice to know.
My "craft" blog only has three followers....and I really should update it
Anyway...thanks to you ...my "followers"

Most smart people don't need to be told this.

2011-12-14T03:29:00.000-08:00

Did that title make you wonder what I have to say?
My comment is in response to this story on Yahoo's homepage today. If you haven't time to read the article, it details how "the school run" can work out quite expensive.
To me the item must be targeted at the less smart people. Most car owners know that short journeys can create a lot of wear and tear on their car, that sitting in traffic burns fuel. Although...do you know..I don't think it is obvious to many people.
I used to attend St Martin's college in Lancaster, now the Lancaster campus of the University of Cumbria. It is situated on the South side of the city, Morecambe to the West/North West of Lancaster. One of my lectures finished at 6pm on a weekday, and I was asked why I drove around the Crook of Lune to get home, tracking out to the East and working my way then Westwards to Morecambe. The journey took around 20-25 mins. It could taker longer than that to get from the South side of Lancaster to the Asda roundabout in Morecambe, at peak times that journey can take an hour easily. I figured I was burning the same if not less fuel by my detour, causing less wear and tear on my car, plus it was a relaxing drive, compared to the frustrating journey of less than 2 miles between the two places I named.
The other thing the item states, is that exercise is good for you, and a 15-20 minute walk is preferable, as it is healthier.
I agree with all the points the article makes.
BUT...it doesn't go far enough. Most days I walk to work, as it is only a 15-20 minute walk, so all the arguments about wear and tear on my car still stand. One that it can't say is that it is better for me most days, as I have osteoarthritis, and if I can keep active it is better for me...for now at least.
One of the reasons I chose a house in Morecambe when I got divorced was it was close to my elder two children's school, close to plenty of shops, the promenade...and this might seem strange when you know I am a car owner, but close to a bus route and the train station. At this time of year unless you are going into Lancaster for a huge amount of shopping it is much less stressful to take the train or bus, and cheaper, because after you have sat in traffic to get where you want to be you still have to pay for parking. The local bus route to me runs every 10 minutes during the day, never long to wait A Bay rider ticket probably works out less than taking your car into Lancaster and parking it whilst you shop. The train is even cheaper, but not as frequent.
I seem to have gone off at a tangent, but my point is, the article, though informative really tells an intelligent person nothing they couldn't figure out for themselves. One last thing, the article doesn't say this, but...people take their children to school in the car, because of the amount of traffic on the roads...if they ALL stopped, the problem would go away, and it would be MUCH safer to walk.

Perhaps I don't like him so much now

2011-12-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Clarkson made some unforgivable remarks about public sector workers.
He's roughly the same age as I am...but I would hazard a guess that if he wished to retire tomorrow he would have ample funds to do so.
Meanwhile, due to the "chancellor's" thing on Tuesday, I now have to work until I am 68 until I can draw my pension, and then it is only projected to be around £4000/annum. Gilt-Edged? only if you can live off a £1/week..maybe £2 occasionally. After paying utilities bills, and buying food, there will be no money left for luxuries.
As I said in a previous post, my wage was frozen over two years ago. I am currently weighing up my options as to my car. The insurance is due in early February...My wage was frozen, but prices of food, etc were not...so much so that...as I touched on...I am wondering if I can afford to keep my current car, as the insurance is something else that has not been frozen.
I bet Jeremy Clarkson doesn't have to think twice about keeping his current car...or "downgrading" in order to afford the insurance, and consequently keeping his car...or maybe cars, on the road.
I wish people on high wages would think, then think again, and maybe think a third time before opening their mouths on subjects they know little about.

P.S I did e-mail the Top Gear team when they kept classing cars as women's cars..offering to drive the cars for them..I didn't even get a jokey reply!

Just a quick one

2011-11-30T15:38:00.000-08:00

If the public sector strikes today were a "damp squib" as Cameron says..that only goes to prove the man walks around with blinkers on. When I went shopping earlier there were more Mum's and kids than is usual for a Wednesday during in school hours

Damn government ....again!

2011-11-30T15:14:00.000-08:00

Today has been a day of action by the public sector unions. Although I do work in the public sector, I don't work on Wednesday, so was not on strike.
But I have just turned off Newsnight in disgust. The government minister was on first talking to Paxo..and talked over him when he didn't want to answer a question, or didn't like what Paxo was saying. Then a union rep was on...the bloke did not get the "fair" hearing the government bloke did..cos no-one bound and gagged the government bloke, and every time the union man said something that the government bloke didn't want to hear..he would begin to talk over him..more and more loudly.
Is that any way for an elected member of our government to act? Perhaps it is just me, but his attitude is too much to the fore these days. We have people in positions of power taking the attitude "I can talk louder and longer than you..so I WILL win"
Respect amongst people of equal ages..or standing..roughly..should be earned, and not assumed, just because one of the two has been to public school, and was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, does NOT make them cock of the walk.
As for public sector wages being better than private ones...that I very much doubt. Perhaps the spouting government ministers should try to survive on a high school technician's wage for a few months before they tell us we are on "better than average wages"

Limbo land dilema

2011-11-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

That is where I am at the moment.....LIMBO LAND
The partner I had and lived with has gone away, over 12 months since...BUT we have been in contact. Both He and I want him to come back to the UK.
I am doing everything I can...but with our current economic state there is not much I can do.
Should I look elsewhere and find a new path? or wait.?
I feel I should wait until I know what is happening....but others say I should look elsewhere. Right now..am waiting. To me when someone says they will return...I take it that they will

Changing governments = changing policies

2011-11-12T02:45:00.000-08:00

I am not going to cover the normal gripes most people have about "changing policies", however, I sometimes wonder about the thinking behind the decisions.
Back in 2008 the government started to roll out a new initiative in secondary education. The initiative was called "License to cook", and the idea behind it was that from ages 11-14 pupils would learn a variety of skills used in cooking, and make good consumable foods using these skills. I went with our food teacher to a meeting about this. And since then we have been using the recipes in the school I work in. The recipe cover basic "pizza toasts" and smoothies, up to making curries and pizzas. In other words, the full range of cooking is covered. These lessons have been very popular with the children, meaning that they are making foods they know and love for themselves.
Sounds great doesn't it, and this September the initiative was to become compulsory for all 11-14 year olds. The upshot being, no child would leave school unable to make their own meals. There were to be nationally recognised certificates at the end of each year, so that children who didn't wish to take food education any further would still have a sound basic education and certificates to prove it.
You probably think there is nothing wrong with that idea at all, and especially at a time when less and less people seem to be capable of cooking a meal for themselves, preferring to buy ready meals or takeaways. I agree, it WAS a great idea..........
SO......
That will be why the current government have decided to shut down the website, and no longer make the teaching of certain food skills in schools compulsory. At the school I work at, this isn't a problem, but in areas where the initiative never even started, those children are missing out, especially if they don't have an inspirational food teacher, like the one I am technician for.

The government have possibly contributed to health problems in the future by scrapping this scheme.
There is no active link, to the recipes etc any more. Oliver took a copy of the disc I had been given, with him to university, and managed to self-cater for himself throughout his Masters, and when he was at the school I work at he cooked four times, in two years, making very unappetising dishes (It was a different teacher then)

I "want stuff!"

2011-11-09T02:24:00.001-08:00

This story caught my eyehttp://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/children-unhappy-material-goods-130000569.html and I was immediately caught!
I have children, albeit that my youngest is now 18 and a half. But I also work in a school, and see the effects of the "I want that!" culture every day. Bearing in mind I live where I do, the culture is to look "up-to-date" which I interpret as chavvy!..The latest thing for girls around here is to wear a quilted shiny jacket...BUT!!!!! it has to have I "heart" PB on it....The wearers of these jackets might not know that the jackets are normally worn by "equestrians"....(do I hear a swift search for the dictionary?) The true stars of tomorrow will not follow the crowd, and the sheep of today will be performing menial jobs, if any!

busy afternoon

2011-11-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Because of how I was feeling, I decided to keep myself as busy as possible.
So, between then and now I made two lots of buns, one chocolate chip/chocolate and one choc chip/vanilla, two lots of biscuits....peanut and oat one's, and two lots of toffee. Traditional English treacle toffee and some golden toffee...then I had my tea and a bath....carrying on keeping busy by knitting.

not a good day

2011-11-06T06:18:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have days when although nothing goes wrong, it just doesn't feel like a good day?
I do. For no reason that most would accept as logical, I feel like crying.

noisy neighbours!

2011-10-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

Why do some of my neighbours think it is ok to have very noisy parties...that spill out onto the street?

"Switch to cheaper"

2011-10-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article about feeding yourself for less. All well and good, but at what cost. I totally agree with the article saying go for cheaper longer cooking pieces of meat, and bulk out a meal with vegetables.....but it's what it doesn't say about fish that gets me. I says go for cheaper fish! The cheaper fish is without a doubt a fish called "River Cobbler".....sounds quaint doesn't it? River cobbler is farmed in a far eastern country, and force fed...if you can force feed fish...it is also...apparently plumped up with water....so not that cheap really.
Anyway I'll leave it up to you to decide, but do look up river cobbler online.
There is one money saving tip it doesn't mention, and that is baking your own cakes etc.
Yes! the initial set up, buying scales, cake tins etc, is a little costly, but once you have the cake tins, scales, and a stock of basic baking equipment you can tackle most baking projects at a fraction of the cost. It's a great and satisfying way to to fill some free time, kids love to help, and you have a much more tasty product at the end of your baking. Scones for example...the basic recipe makes around 10, at a rough cost of around £1, but the finished product is far superior than anything you would buy in a shop, and there is really nothing better than a scone fresh from the oven...better bake double quantities...they'll disappear quickly. Best scone recipe...go to the Bero website!

Thanks...whoever!

2011-10-12T08:06:00.001-07:00

I am going to have to pay about £50 to get my wing mirror fixed!
Grrrr!!!!!
I am so cross, whoever broke it would be totally aware that it was broken, yet they didn't bother to let me know.

I also had a screw pushed into one of my tyres, and with them being "low pofile" it didn't look flat, only became obvious when I drove the car. By then I had ruined the tyre. Thanks a lot you unruly brats who have been hanging around our street, when none of you live here.

I just bruise easily!

2011-10-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

My latest bruise is on my right forearm. It was very blue earlier today, but now it has gone purply/black. I have no idea how I got it....suppose tiz just my skin type as well as being rather clumsy.

Is this what is wrong?

2011-10-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

I wonder if this is why young people are out of control.
My computer is next to a window that looks out onto the street. The girl from across the road is talking to some boys, but the boys are in the next door yard. they are quite blithely larking around in front of someone else's window, making a general nuisance of themselves. Have the girl's parents said anything? NO, because they frequently have [parties that disrupt the peace.
These kids have no respect for other people's property, and obviously neither do the parents.
I think one of the problems with today's young people being out of control is that they are not taught any respect for other people and their belongings/property/etc.
I know this doesn't apply to all young people. There are some who have respect for others, etc. But they are becoming a minority.
The people who have no respect , think they have a right to do whatever they want, where they want, and to who ever they want.
I suppose it won't surprise you to know that these "kids" are also freely swearing, as if the words they are using are not offensive.

10th October
This morning I went out to find my wing mirror broken...I have been told that it has been deliberately done...by the mechanic who looks after my car! Well, the kids were running around all the cars on the street and pushing and shoving at each other

Flaming government

2011-10-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

I don't often make comments about political stuff, cos I can't say that I'm over enamoured by politics. However, I decided to look up state pension age....and was astounded to see that it had been put up in June of this year...for women to 65....I know technically i may cost more to pay people pension rather than pay young persons dole/jobseekers/ call-it-what-you-will....but as people get older they start to have health issues, and it is on this point I think the government are wrong. Why didn't they for a change...make the men equal to the women..just in this instance. I am not looking forward to working another 5 potential five years...with my health problems. Perhaps I should try to find myself a "sugar daddy"....except I wouldn't even look, cos my heart belongs to my special friend, even though I haven't seen him for over 13 months...we do talk though.
Should I tell my kids to hold off the grandchildren bit for a few more years?
When I think...my Mum was a grandma at 38 and hasn't worked since she was 34...and Dad was luck enough to retire at 52.
The coming generation aren't going to be able to get to know their grandparents, or just see them as dried out, worn out husks.

"new" toothpastes, just who are they aimed at?

2011-09-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

I know the answer could be fairly obvious. They are aimed at people who wish to maintain dental health.....BUT if you watch the adverts, they really aren't. People who take care of their teeth properly won't have "loose gum seals" or other things that are mentioned. So, who will go out and buy the "latest" toothpaste...quite possibly the people who don't really need it.
Having worked for a dentist in my past, I can say the people with the worst dental problems are those who don't look after their teeth properly. Visiting the dentist at the right intervals will not make a persons teeth in good condition, it is what they do between the visits that will ensure they keep their teeth for a long time.
I was "lucky" enough to assist one of the dentists who was treating a case of "terrible toothache!" And I'll be honest, I don't know which smelt worst, the "patient's" breath, or their clothes, (it was a pig farmer straight from work).
I do, for the record, use a "sensitive" toothpaste, as nothing any dentist can do will stop your gums receeding as you age.

Last night of the proms

2011-09-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

OK.....I try to watch this every year...I love classical music, but tonight it went from one extreme to another for me.
I like to watch the BBC1 coverage, which is usually the last 1-2 hours of the proms. One of tonight's soloists was Lang Lang who I think looks very similar to Michael McIntyre.
Then there was a "feature"...then the usual "winding-up"...This made me cry...cos I can't sing any more, and it woke up so many memories.
At the same time there were fireworks going off, part of the "heritage weekend" held by my current hometown. Tomorrow should see the display of vintage/old cars on the prom, and maybe a display by the Red Arrows..and tomorrow night another firework display.
Two years ago this weekend I met my lovely Lithuanian friend...and I miss him so very much.

Back at work

2011-09-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

I have never felt so utterly tired as I have in the last few days.

Come dine with me?

2011-09-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

No, not the TV programme.
I lifted this question from a friend's blog.

Assemble your dream dinner guest list. Think of all the famous, or infamous, people living or dead, and pick 6 to share a fine meal with. Who do you pick? Why? What do you expect to happen?

1. Alice Nutter (One of the "Lancashire Witches")
2. Nell Gwynne (Chelsea Pensioners were founded in her memory)
3. My Grandad Sharp
4. Tom Holt (The novelist)
5. Lewis Carol (Author of Alice in Wonderland)
6. Nimue. (I think that is how her name is spelt, from Arthurian Legend)

Grandad is easy, I was only 5 when he died, and would have loved to have spent time with him, at 5 you are still a very young child, and I think he'd like the company. I think Lewis Carol and Tom Holt would soon find common ground. Nimue was supposed to be the downfall and at the same time apprentice to Merlin, Alice Nutter was found guilty of Witchcraft, but as ideas have changed, she might have been guilty of nothing less than being a strong Catholic in times when the country was being brought by force almost to the Protestant beliefs. And I'm sure Nell Gwynne would liven up the evening. All I've ever read about her shows her to be an open hearted loving person. Perhaps Tom Holt would inspired to write about the meal.
Oh! and if you read one of my previous posts, Alice Nutter might have been an ancestor.
Oh, and if it had to be filmed, could Dave Lamb please commentate?

Busy Tuesday

2011-08-30T09:36:00.001-07:00

I've had quite a busy day today.
Walked the dogs after breakfast, then went to be tortured and pampered. [Hair cut, leg wax.]
Then I had to take Spark to the vet, more pills for him, and return visit in 6 weeks. He's got alopaecia (think that is how it is spelt), or rather did have, he's getting much better now.
I then walked to the market for some more yarn for a baby blanket I am making. Now I'm chilling out for a while and wondering what to make with the chicken I have for tea.

Schools and teaching

2011-08-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

Why do schools expect teachers who gave English and literature, etc up after GCSE ...expect them to teach "Literacy" ...this might be ok up to KS2...but after that surely it is asking for trouble?

Lithuania

2011-08-29T04:22:00.000-07:00

Lithuania means one very special person to me. So when ever I see articles naming Lithuania, I usually read them. This one I saw a couple of months ago. Never having visited Lithuania I don't know if this is true, but from what my someone special has told me, and photos I have seen, I would imagine that in summertime the aroma of fruit, and trees would be very strong. Lithuania looks so clean and unspoilt.
Then I saw this story, and I just had to laugh. I don't think the residents of Vilnius will part illegally a second time, after the mayor has taken things in hand.

Things about me [part 8]

2011-08-29T04:13:00.000-07:00

Last week my sister-in-law rang me. She has been researching the various family trees, both sides of her family and both sides of my brother's, which of course is mine too. She'd come across something she thought might make me laugh, or at least smile. In the paternal side of my family we have ancestors who were called Nutter. So next time someone calls me a nutter, I'll just smile and tell them they are quite right, a small part of me is definitely a nutter.
And she hasn't dug too deep as yet, but the Nutter in question does hail from the same area as Alice Nutter. I'm sure Janet will let me know if we are related to the notorious Nutters.

I've never seen a volcano erupt....up close!

2011-08-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

One of the Manchester rioters is quoted as answering "I've never seen a riot before!". I suppose we should excuse him because of his youth..only 12 years old, but as my post title says, I've never seen a volcano erupt...up close, or a tsunami, or an earthquake..or for that matter been involved in a war.
BUT!!!! I do not need to experience them to know that they would more than likely not be kind to me.
Perhaps the problem is with the dictionary definition of the word riot. I looked, and the first definition is the obvious one. "wild disturbance by a crowd of people", there is a second one, which is sometimes used to describe the humour/hilarity in a situation. An amusing person can be riotous, but I would guess the "rioters" are not sufficiently educated to know this second meaning...or let's face it, they wouldn't want to find out which meaning of the word riot is being used.
As fort other things i haven't seen/done/had.....well I haven't heard of the black death just around the corner, but if it was...I wouldn't go to investigate.
I'm sure you can add to my list of things you haven't seen/heard of/ done /had...but would know to keep away from them if they were happening just around the corner.
(Adding one thought..when the mother of the said child left court with him...instead of answering the reporters when they asked her why she didn't know where her son had been...she swore at them! To me that says a lot.)

Riots! :(

2011-08-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

There have been riots, and they are still going on. Mostly in London, but today they have spread to one area of Birmingham.
I just watched the late night news, and they had several "figureheads" debating about the causes, and if they were like the riots of the 80s.
Well, when I heard about the riots on Saturday, I think that was when the first one was, may have been Friday. I had a sinking feeling, thinking that the economic climate and the time of year were the same, also the job market was in a similar position.
They talk about local government cuts being the cause....they might be right? who knows? But what they don't look into, and probably daren't, is a where are they now type look at the rioters of the 80s.
My job is local government, but they don't say anything about our wages having been frozen for over two years. The place I work at has had to make a huge saving this year, some has been scrapped together by people taking voluntary redundancy, but they have not ruled out...YET...the need for forced redundancies. I will say the place I work says goodbye to workers with many years under their belt to replace them with young, newly qualified workers, generally female.
It is never mentioned that we are going to have to work longer years until we are eligible for retirement. This I find annoying. And why can't the government see that by keeping local government employees in their jobs for a couple of extra years, there are no jobs being freed up for the general public. Young adults leave school/college with no idea what direction they will go in, as jobs are so scarce on the ground. (OK, whatever they pay the young people to not work possibly costs less that letting the older people retire at the age they expected to when they started their working lives.)
It is possible that the rioters of the 80s are now in local government jobs and are completely behind the rioters of today. But joking aside, I really don't think keeping local government employees in work for longer is the way to go.
When I was at school, we were told women work until they are 60, men 65. I will not receive my local government pension until I am 67, or is it 68? Does it really make sense to keep older people in work, considering as people get older they usually develop an age related illness?
There is no easy answer to this problem, but blaming the rioters of today, because they feel they aren't getting what they have been told they will get is not the answer. And considering if they keep the dwindling number of local government workers, that includes, besides your council, anyone who works in a hospital, fire station, police station, school, courts, etc...in their jobs..perhaps they should keep children in education until they are 18? 21? 25?...any advance on 25?
I'll sign off now...I have probably posed more questions than possible solutions, which just proves that there is no easy answer.
And....by the way...when I first heard about the rioting this weekend I felt a sinking feeling in my heart...but you have to watch the news about it...just like you have to pick the scab off a sore...It doesn't make you feel comfortable, but you have to see what is going on.

It might be cleaner, but is it also cheaper?

2011-08-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

You might have noticed that several car manufacturers have been developing either "hybrid" cars, or electric cars of late. There is one question I really would like answered about this.
Okay, we all see the sense that whilst driving an electric car it doesn't pollute the atmosphere. However, in the long run does it pollute by the same amount, somewhere along the line? After all the electric needs to be generated to charge the car up. And I know it would be marvelous if all the countries needs for electric was generated via natural , sorry I mean, environmentally friendly generation. Windmills, hydro electric, solar power, and the like. But we are still a long way from this. Plus not everyone likes the windmills....but that's another post. Lastly, the energy providers keep putting up the price of electric, so would an electric car work out cheaper? Maybe, maybe not! It's something to think about.
Just as a crazy aside, the ideal "environmentally friendly" transport would have solar cells, and a small wind generator....and in this country, maybe even a small waterwheel as well! (Bet that's made you smile.)

Polar bear attack!

2011-08-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

I seriously don't think the Polar Bear knew where the people it attacked were from! I think it was just protecting "it's" territory from incomers.
Don't get me wrong...I am sorry people have lost their lives...but the Polar Bear is a HUGE predator...he/she was just protecting their Territory the only bodies at fault here were the humans...for straying into Polar Bear territory without knowing it was OK to proceed

Been catching up on sleep

2011-07-31T05:14:00.001-07:00

Have been a terrible blogger lately. I have just been so tired, that catching up on sleep has taken priority to practically everything else. Any hoo! I am now a week into my long summer break, and think I am beginning to be on the winning side of my tiredness.

Strange things about me

2011-07-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

When I'm ironing, towels just get folded, as do tea towels,and sheets, and even underwear....but for some reason I ALWAYS iron my handkerchiefs
I think it might be a throw-back ..you know well brought up young ladies always have a freshly laundered handkerchief.
I really don't know why I do this, but do know it is quite an odd quirk.

what a fix!

2011-07-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't watched "From Popstar to Opearstar" for the entire series, but I have spotted that the entire thing is to me a fix.
Take Tonight. Joesph sung a very demanding piece, and from what I saw very well, whilst Joe sang an easy piece. Surprise, surprise....Joe gets through. The Joe in question to my knowledge has had no success as a popstar, since he won whatever "reality" TV show .
No disrespect to him...but...he is young, and he can undoubtedly sing, yet has made no impact on the "pop" world, perhaps opera is where he will find "proper" fame..rather than the dubious fame a "reality" TV show winner experiences?
That's enough of me grumbling....the show is a fix...but it has helped me appreciate opera.

I'm very pleased.

2011-07-02T04:29:00.000-07:00

Oliver has finished his Masters in Physics, and has got a first. I'm very pleased for him. I knew he could do it.
He came home last Saturday, and yesterday he flew to Northern Ireland to visit a friend he made whilst at Uni, after spending the weekend with Steph, he's planning on taking the train down to Dublin. As he puts it, "I might as well do while I'm there!"

New baby

2011-07-02T04:22:00.000-07:00

My neighbour has had her baby. It's her second and she's been lucky in having a girl this time. I know she wanted a girl. So now I have to sew buttons on one of the baby jackets I have been making. Also another colleague has had her baby, another girl, and another neighbour has had a baby girl, too. Later on I'll post on my craft blog Fidgetty Fingers with a picture
There is a picture of the baby hats I have been making. As Edwin is having a "get together" tonight I may get around to posting a picture later on today, because at 18, I think they don't really need me around so much....perhaps just to produce a bit of something to eat around 10pm.

Asthma

2011-06-16T07:25:00.001-07:00

I was diagnosed as having asthma around 2 and 1/2 years back. I really wish I didn't have it. This year I seem to be reacting to the pollen. At the moment my sinuses are aching so much, and I am dreading the moment when it comes lose and travels south. Am struggling to breathe and feel quite miserable. I wonder how long it will take for me to be used to it, and be able to predict bad days...and do something preventative in advance?

Some people are just SICK

2011-06-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

I have started to follow Alice Pyne's blog. She is a 15 year old girl who lives, as the crow flies, very close to me. Quite a way by road though.
She has been getting for want of a better word "sick" comments on her blog.
I was always told, if you can't think of anything nice to say, don't speak.
These people leaving nasty comments are having to purposely make their comments. It's not as if blogs don't allow you to leave them unless you comment.
Mind you, I was also told as a child that "empty crates make the most noise". (That saying dates back to when crates were usually metal and all bottles were returnable and made of glass).
I have read what Alice has blogged to date, and she's a very brave young lady.
My only thought on the nasty comments she is getting, is what goes around comes around. And if you are hurtful to people you shouldn't be surprised when someone is hurtful to you.

Spam folder in 24 hours

2011-06-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

I thought I would leave my spam folder for 24 hours to see what I was offered. I was looking for scam type e-mails, and I did get a few.
Without further ado, here's the list;

2 lots of medication for "gentleman's problems"
14 chances to "test" an i-pad 2
5 parcels of which I need to confirm my details in order for the parcel to be delivered.
11 chances to have my palm read.
3 people who NEED my help in order to get their hands on their inheritance.
The remainder were varied between letting me know that my bank account...(That I Don't bank with!) ....is being suspended to chances to buy Replica Louis Vuiton.[Hope that is how you spell it]

What is wrong with USA TV?

2011-05-27T10:05:00.001-07:00

Why has Cheryl Cole been dropped from the USA X-Factor?
They think that people won't be able to understand her because of her "Geordie" accent. What rubbish, they just aren't trying.
I have two solutions that could both keep her on the show.
1) She could have subtitles; for the benefit of the people who can't understand her, or can't they read?
2)She could sing all her comments, because she doesn't sing with a Geordie accent.
I know both solutions are a little daft, but I really think they should have tried harder to find a solution.

What next?

2011-05-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

You'll have heard of train spotters, bird spotters, Eddie Stobart spotters. This list is quite extensive, and some will go to great lengths to "spot" their chosen object/animal/whatever to be spotted.
But.....I have never heard of this before! Yes! you read it right, a list of where to spot the Queen has been published on Yahoo.
Ah well, each to their own. I think I'll stick to butterflies.

Time to blow our trumpet?

2011-05-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

You might have seen on the news, and announced on the radio, that the UK has awarded it's Blue Flags for this year.
I was intrigued to know where all the ones in the North West were, because in the past the beach next to the Midland Hotel has won. I think we lost it last year though.
I looked Blue flag beaches in the North West
Both the North and South beaches in Morecambe have been awarded Blue Flags, so why haven't they been mentioned on local TV and radio?
Perhaps it's time to blow our own trumpet?
If you look at the list there are some very surprising ones have got the Blue Flag. Not in bustling town, but more "off the beaten track".
No wonder we are still a "joke" resort. Morecambe is perfect for family holidays in my eyes. Unfortunately children have to be "entertained" these days, which makes things difficult when the sun isn't shining. You rarely see children outside playing some imaginary game. The need for children to be "entertained" and protected from potentially being abducted makes parents stifle their children, so when left to their own devices they are often at a loss what to do.
Back on track however, like I said Morecambe is almost perfect for a family holiday, it just lacks the one thing the council has done away with,an outdoor swimming pool, as it is too dangerous to swim in the sea here. And for rainy days, the area has plenty of attractions nearby.
Perhaps I am being too simplistic, but holidays when I was young, at least the ones I went on, meant long lazy days on the beach, or walking, with the minimum necessary trips into the shopping area to buy food, as we always went self catering.

Pitman painters

2011-05-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am still watching this programme on ITV.
One thing that caught my attention was what Rob Green said about why the pitmen decided to take art appreciation classes.. They were taking evening classes supplied by WEA. They had finished the economics courses. And were looking for other classes in order to "better themselves".
I think the whole ethos behind the idea of learning has been undermined in the past few decades, and now school age pupils/students do not want to learn in order to "better themselves", as they have the misguided opinion that they are above learning.
I think it is a crying shame that the number of children wanting to learn is declining in certain areas.
I hope the people who can change things have seen this documentary, and realised that many of our population do not want to "better themselves"...as they think they are the best anyway.
I am not sure how the trend can be reversed, but I do know that other "cultures" still think that "bettering yourself" is a good thing.

Saturday night TV

2011-04-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sum it up in one word......RUBBISH!
I caught part of a programme titled "So you think you can dance?" I think that was the title..anyway...the people I saw obviously couldn't. In fact, if I saw someone making those movements...I'd be on the verge of ringing for an ambulance, as I thought they were having an epileptic episode.
Now I know why I get through so many books.

Grrr!

2011-04-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have a facebook account..like many people...tonight I replied to a comment made by someone who knows my family..yet they presumed to know about my parents than I do?
I got a bit narked and corrected the person...am wondering if it will elicit any response?
The person had made a comment about a certain designer..and how she went to the same school as my parents..I added that myself and my two siblings had also attended the school that this designer had...only to get a comment back that we were not the "same generation"...so I commented back..that the designer went to my Dad's "primary" school...not the "grammar school both my parents went to.
It ain't that important...but the designer did not go to the same school as my Mum..at any point.
Unless you know me..you won't have the foggiest what I am wittering on about.

Why would anyone do this?

2011-04-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick question really
Recently there has been an advert on the radio by a company who will "take your rubbish/waste away!"
Why would anyone in their right mind avail themselves of this "service"?
It amounts to paying double for your refuse disposal, as I very much doubt that the local council would reimburse anyone the "refuse collection/disposal" portion of their council tax.
If the service does take off, and find itself blooming it will probably be businesses who use the service, as ...and please correct me if I'm wrong here, they do have to pay an additional tariff to their local councils for their waste collection.
If an ordinary householder uses this service, they are in essence paying twice for the same service, and only getting it once.

Sleep?

2011-04-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had sleep evade you, no matter what you do?
We all have coping mechanisms that we employ when we can't sleep. Tonight/this morning, I'm going with one I have never tried before....if you can't sleep...do something until you feel sleepy again. So far I have been awake for 2 hours. I woke on top of my bed. I had fallen asleep reading. I got into bed, and then found I couldn't settle. Perhaps it's the fact that this week the weather has warmed up considerably. The temperature on the local weather station, that I looked at just before starting to write this said that it is between 9 and 10C. A couple of weeks back that was normal daytime temperature.
I don't mind the warmer weather.....but I do mind the fact I will not be able to wear sandals...AND walk in them...ever again. Ever since my ankle operation I have had to wear insoles in my shoes,and support my ankle, as I have been told it WILL give way again, and next time there is nothing they can do. As soon as the weather started to warm...out would come my sandals, and they would only go away when the frost started to nip at my toes. Now I wear Doc Martens every day, as they are the only thing I have found that will accommodate my insoles. I am so glad that Docs are available in different colours. So..I either wear flowery ones and plain socks..or plain ones with stripey socks. I might have to go all Aussie if this warm weather continues..and wear boots with shorts...who knows?

Duh!

2011-04-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

I like watching Waterloo Road...fact.
Today I was stood in the office at work...(a school,) and a member of staff walked in with someone...
My first thought...that must be X's brother/relative, (X being a member of staff.)
Then I thought..hey..he looks like the bloke who plays Grantly Budgen on Waterloo Road...but am not a big "celeb" watcher..so I just finished what I was doing, and carried on with my job.#
Later...I found out he was who I thought he looked like! Duh!
At least with folks like me around "celebs" won't need to worry about attention.

what is life for?

2011-04-01T23:57:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmm!
when you are young enough to have children.....and you WANT them...a happy settled life in which to bring the children is your ideal.
Later on, when the children are young adults, all you wish for is that they are happy and don't go through the "doo-doo" that you did.
My children are now at that last stage..and it is good to hear one of them laughing with their partner.
My life stinks at the moment..but at least my kids are ok

Why I keep getting so tired

2011-03-27T04:54:00.000-07:00

I was diagnosed less than a year ago as having, secondary hyperparathyroidism. Sounds serious doesn't it, but it is quite simply put in plain English as Calcium shortage. This is controlled by taking a calcium tablet each day, and getting my blood checked regularly, to ensure I am taking enough calcium. Calcium shortage sounds innocuous, until you look up why your body needs calcium, and the things a shortage can cause. I don't like having to take so much medication...and the calcium tablets are huge....nope...you don't swallow them, they are suck or chew ones.
Anyway tiredness is a symptom and towards the end of a day I start flagging.

Visitor

2011-03-20T04:51:00.000-07:00

I had a visitor yesterday. It was my friend, Piers. He'd been out walking and called round. He brought me a couple of postcard sized pieces of his art work. Two new ones.
Piers produces abstract art, and I quite like these two new ones.
To see Piers' art visit http://piers-bishop.com or http://facebook.com/piersbishop.art

A sign of the recession?

2011-03-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago tomorrow, the newest registration came out for cars. Any cars sold from March 1st 2011 until August 31st 2011 will be given the number 11 on their number plate. There are plenty of 60s and 10s from the last 12 and 6 months ago, but to date I have only seen one 11 number plate. Is this a sign that the recession is still biting hard?

Car insurance

2011-03-06T06:19:00.001-08:00

This doesn't affect me, due to owning Midori...my beautiful MG ZR, but....I am sure it will hurt many young women in their pockets. The EU court has decided, in their infinite wisdom, that women should not pay less for their car insurance, as it sex descrimination. Last time my insurance was due, and other times in the past...I have checked out "women only" car insurance, and for the older driver, they actually worked out dearer.
One thing I would love to know though, if they are going to be obliged to put premiums up for young women, will they split the difference, and cut young men's car insurance? You know...meet half way? Or will the insurance companies just get rich from bumping the young women's insurance up to the same level as the young men's? Is anyone going to be monitoring this at all? Or will insurance companies be boasting huge profits in the near future?
I feel sorry for my daughter, Sam, and Edwin's girlfriend, Becki, as they will both suffer from this. Although Oliver passed his test shortly after he was 17, he has not had his own car to date, as the insurance is prohibitive for him, plus probably higher premiums because he lives in Manchester.
Is the barmy court going to pass a ruling that people living in rural areas should not have lower premiums than those living in urban areas with higher crime rates? I would say these crazy ideas being bandied around lately would be a good enough reason to opt out of the EU, but..unfortunately..the people who make these decisions are all on high wages, and don't think of the lower wage earners when they accept these summary rulings.
Sorry for going on a bit, but sometimes things catch my eye that incense me.

Last Sunday's post

2011-03-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

Good news, the crazy idea that the government had, (the subject of my post last Sunday,) has been decided against, and as I predicted, it was opposition from the North of the UK that swung it. I glad that for once the government has seen sense.

TV ad

2011-03-06T06:14:00.000-08:00

I like this one!
The little girl is so cute! :)

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it

2011-02-27T05:07:00.000-08:00

The government, in their "infinite" wisdom, are considering putting our clocks forwards what amounts to an extra hour.
The purpose, they say, is to give us longer evenings. But it will also result in darker mornings in the winter.
Perhaps they should forget about trying to put our time equal to that of Europe! After all the Greenwich Meridian runs right through London. We have to have time zones.
These policies are being made by people from the south of the UK. Here in the North West, we have around three months of it still being light after 9pm. In fact if the day is good, and there is very little cloud, it can stay fairly light until 10.30pm. We have sunsets here, that take a long time from start to finish. Further North in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, you may not see the sun actually set in Summer, I know they also have much shorter daylight hours in winter. For just ONCE, can the politicians take into consideration the rest of the UK....above Watford Gap? Taking the clocks forward two hours at the end of March might suit the Southerners, but in the long run it could, and most possibly will create more problems than it solves.
There is NOTHING wrong with our current GMT and BST, it isn't broken, so please don't try to fix it!
And, as an afterthought, you can bet sure as eggs are eggs, this looney policy will be rejected by the Scottish Parliament! So, that would effectively divide the country, if it does, please can we be Scottish here?

Mediation in divorce

2011-02-23T14:21:00.000-08:00

This story caught my eye on Yahoo's front page.
When I went through my divorce around 10 years back, I was obliged to go to mediation, as I was getting legal aid. But most of the divorce went through quite easily, with very little acrimony.
At the time I did not like the mediation sessions, I will say that they did help sort quite a few things out, with just a neutral third party present , and probably a lot quicker than they would have taken in court.
Who the children were to live with, and visiting the other parent, plus some nit-picky small issues were sorted.
I hope that people who are advised to follow this course find it useful, although I can't understand why it has taken so long to filter upwards.....perhaps solicitors did not point this option out to fee payers?

Wednesday off!

2011-02-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

I don't work Wednesday any more! I still work 30 hours, but over 4 days instead of 5.
Today I had mental plans...go into Lancaster, go to Waterstones and Mung Mee. I did this and extra...I also went to Fabrix..initially to enquire about lace for a fascinator...for a colleague, but then I returned after doing my other jobs...candles/books and a visit to Mung Mee.
I had seen some canvas with "Banksy" inspired designs. I bought a metre of both the black/white option and the coloured option. I intend to make messenger type bags for Edwin for his art equipment. I also bought him some drawing pens!

On another thread! Advert on local radio!....A romantic weekend every month month...for two people!".....Duh!!! surely a weekend away every month for a year on your own ain't romantic...unless you are seriously narcissistic.
I just cringe when I hear some adverts these days.

What is VAT..that's Value Added Tax...for?

2011-01-27T14:53:00.000-08:00

After doing my shopping yesterday I thought carefully about which items had VAT added and which didn't.
I did working in a supermarket in the dim and distant past, when items were priced with a pricing gun. White for no VAT items, orange for items that included VAT.
When working on the checkout as well as inputting the price on the tag, you hit the relevant button.
VAT is only supposed to be paid on so called "luxury" items, and indeed one widespread supermarket chain picks up the VAT on a very controversial item......BUT I thought, and remembered from pricing items...pet food has VAT payable on it! Perhaps if a dog/cat/rabbit...(go ahead...substitute the animal of your choice,) was to go in and buy their own food...would it STILL be liable to VAT?
I would love to see my dogs go and buy their own food..and maybe get money knocked off.
Is this VAT fair? Like the other one the supermarket picks up...perhaps it should be questioned....as should several other VAT liable "products"! Who knows?
I would love input.

Free review copy

2011-01-15T02:26:00.000-08:00

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I love reading.
On Wednesday the postman brought a parcel that I wasn't expecting. :) Always a good thing. Inside was an advance copy of The Gallow's curse by Karen Maitland. I started reading it yesterday, and I will post my review on Waterstones when I have finished it. All I will say is so far I keep picking it up when I should be doing other things.

A little sad today

2011-01-08T08:36:00.001-08:00

I'm still recovering from the flu, chest infection mostly gone. It doesn't sound like a kettle when I breathe now!
This weekend my sons are staying here rather than going to their Dad's as they usually do, as he has Flu. I was feeling OK until I started tom prepare the veg for tea, it brought back getting meals ready with my "someone special". I miss him so much, I suppose it's the closest I'll get to knowing how someone who is bereaved feels when they lose someone very dear to them.
I am lucky I had the year that I did with him, and if he never returns, at least I had a very happy year.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T17:04:00.000-08:00

We are now in 2011!
I am noit going to make resolutions that I will break within the first week...what I am going to do is make several promises to myself.

I will try to complete at least 12 large projects over the year. Knitted/cross-stitched or other craft
I will start and complete smaller projects as takes my whim, and yes! I will not leave them unfinished.
I will try my best to keep up-to-date with my blogs.
I WILL definitely make a butterfly for the butterfly effect project, [see button]
This one is the most difficult, I will try to see the positive side of things....for example..my "someone special" has gone back to his "homeland". We are still in touch, but because of network coverage, not as much as I would like. I will remember that we never fell out, he treated me very well, and that I love him very much. He has said he will probably return, but is unsure when.

What we all got for Xmas, but didn't want!

2010-12-31T08:25:00.000-08:00

Things are fairly quiet here, as I think we have all had, or got the flu.
What a lovely xmas gift! It certainly wasn't on my letter to Santa, and you can't return it cos you don't want it.

Quiet Boxing day

2010-12-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a very quiet and fairly tense day.
I was woken by Samantha, and then Oliver brought me breakfast in bed. [A sausage butty]
But then they said that during the night at least one of the dogs had eaten a chocolate reindeer. As the dogs are not that big I was understandably on tenterhooks for the rest of the day.
I suspected it was Shadow who had eaten it, as she is much more mischievous. Also I had woken in the night to her crying, and she was sat at the bottom of the stairs with her chin on the first step.
I carried her up and she seemed happy enough.
When I walked them my suspicions were confirmed, it had been Shadow who had eaten the reindeer, as her muck smelt strongly of chocolate, and there were bits of silver paper in it.
She is still a little subdued today, or was. I just caught her swotting Spark's nose to try to get him to play.
We are usually so careful keeping things the dogs shouldn't eat away from them. It was Oliver's reindeer, I suppose he forgot about moving chocolate from the floor. It was enough to have killed her, and I think if Spark had eaten it I would have had a much worse situation to deal with, as his stomach is quite delicate.

Unhappy

2010-12-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

My someone special may not be coming back to the UK. If he does he said it will possibly be summer .

work..and congestion!

2010-12-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

I work locally...and it takes me 15-20 minutes to walk to work...maybe 5-10 if I drive...but it really doesn't do a car any good to be used for short bursts..especially a diesel like I have.

Perhaps if more people walked into work, [or cycled,] where possible..the congestion around Lancaster and Morecambe would ease. The number 2 or 2A service operates every 10 minutes during peak times...and weekly passes are reasonable....if you add the cost of running a car, parking it against a weekly bus pass...I think most would come out winning.,..and the return train fare is less...but I don't know if you can get a weekly pass.

I have no grandchildren...as yet..but it would be great if the inherited a planet worth living on.

Stolen!

2010-12-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

This article caught my eye.
It made me smile, and reminded me of one of my favourite poems.
Stealing by Carol Ann Duffy. This short film used to illustrate the poem is very atmospheric.
Some background to the poem is found here.
I'm not sure why I love this poem, all I know is that I do.

Is that what the advert is about?

2010-12-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

This article caught my eye!
If you watch the advert, unless you know what thew advert is for, you could be excused for thinking it it for "hot pants/short-shorts" or whatever you want to call them.
Obviously the advert was made with the male buyer in mind. You know..man sees all those skimpy shorts and buys a pair of the trainers for his nearest and dearest.
Or am I just being cynical?

Perhaps this is a good idea?

2010-11-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

This story is on the web news today.
I think it may be a good idea. Some people are too lazy to spell correctly.
There are at least three colleagues who work where I do constantly spell "bear" wrong. They send out whole staff e-mails asking the whole staff to "bare with" them. I think we might get into trouble if we follow the literal translation of that particular "bare".
That is not the only word that is repeatedly muddled, the many variations of to, which and there are other victims of poor spellers.
Also many people put too much trust in spellcheckers, which are often set to US English.

No respect!

2010-11-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

Today, I witnessed an unwarranted verbal attack on a colleague.
Afterwards the colleague was very shaken.
The verbal attack should not have happened....IF the person had gone through the correct channels.
But then again, people who think it is OK to verbally attack, and humiliate others, have little regard for correct procedures.
I went to a member of the management to say I had witnessed the incident, and the colleague did nothing to warrant the verbal abuse.
I hope I never see another colleague humiliated and upset in this way again.
School's are supposed to be secure...and visitors should sign in, and obtain visitor badges...they shouldn't just walk in. This security came in after the Dunblane incident. NORMAL people know the correct way......unfortunately the "nutters" don't, and they are the dangerous one's!

Sorry for the quiet

2010-11-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged much lately as I have been rather unhappy.
My "very good friend", [that is how he describes our relationship,] has gone back to his homeland for a while. he did say he would be back, but not when, and contact is very hit and miss.
Apart from that I have had a spate of illness, and now to cap it all the pressure is being heaped on me again at work, not by the departments I work for, but by the management
So! all in all, unless I have a rant, I haven't been my usual self.
I hope normal service will be resumed soon.

Samhain/Bonfire night?

2010-11-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't done all the relevant research ...but think I might have a link....more when I have researched.

Sunday 7th November 2010.
After hunting around a little I have found that there were bonfires around Samhain/Halloween/All Soul's...call it what you will, BEFORE Guy Fawkes and his companions were arrested.
Taking into consideration James I's clamp-down on anything vaguely "demoniacal", the movement of the bonfires to a week later seems a likely solution.
I think the addition of the "fireworks" possibly dates from 1605 or later, although I find it hard to believe ordinary folk could get their hands on them so long ago.
As I see it, the whole subject area has lots of research possible.
As for me, I prefer the bonfire with "bonfire" food without the fireworks, as they terrify me.
I suppose being pagan the bonfire appeals to me, and a feast is always good fun. :D

Fractals

2010-10-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

Mandlebrot died yesterday....his thinking gave us some wonderful images.
It goes much deeper than that..but put Mandlebrot into an image search and you will get amazing results!

Why is every UK taxpayer paying for this?

2010-09-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Pope is here...apparently.
But why are UK taxpayers footing half the bill for his visit?
It's crazy.
If the head of the Muslim faith, Sikh Faith, Hindu faith, Buddhist faith, ooops or even the head of the Jews was to come, would they get half their "visit" paid for by UK taxpayers? I think not, and I resent my tax being used for this. I don't pay much, but do not agree to us footing the bill, even if only half of it.
Vatican City is rich enough to make sure the Pope is secure whilst here.
I am NOT a catholic and object quite strongly. I wonder if there is any way the non catholics can get a tax refund? Shouldn't think so, but what about members of other recognised faiths who might like a visit from their spiritual leader, they have every right to feel annoyed as well.
On paper, I'm C of E, but my actual faith is a personal matter.
I wouldn't mind paying towards the Dali Lama to visit, although, if he was to visit I feel sure he wouldn't want all the ostentatious show that the pope has been shown.
No wonder people turn away from organised western religions with their "Sunday" morning goodness.

Big Brother is watching us all!

2010-09-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

Nope, not the waste of space on channel 4 that has finally come to an end. Politics for Novices subject for today.
Everywhere we go today there are CCTV cameras, yet, why aren't they in evidence on the soaps.
For example, someone got into a fight on Coronation Street the other day, outside the Rovers Return, yet there is no CCTV camera. Most pubs have premises CCTV outside them, or nearby these days, and I am sure there are more cameras in Manchester than Morecambe, so the plot line has an unrealistic twist to it.
Similarly, Eastenders seems to have no CCTV cameras, enabling Lucas to bury someone in a public "square" .
Perhaps the script writers should address this oversight. I know "crime" plot lines help with popularity, but REALLY....they should also be relevant.

Flu!

2010-09-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

I started with flu on Thursday last week. Haven't done much apart from sleep, read and sleep some more since then.

UK versus Australia

2010-09-05T02:51:00.000-07:00

No, nothing to do with cricket, rugby or any sport.
I'm thinking about "Come Dine with Me"
Yesterday there was a whole weeks episodes on channel 4, but they were Australian ones, and I'm afraid the whole enjoyment of the programme is for me, the commentators comments, and the Aussie commentator is nowhere near as entertaining as Dave Lamb. I'm not sure if it's his voice, his comments, the banter he seems to share with the week's cooks, just he is far and above more entertaining than his Aussie counterpart.

Butterfly count closed

2010-09-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Big Butterfly Count closed on 31/8/10, or for anyone who isn't from UK..31st August 2010!
The findings of the count's throughout August are here
Today at work within five minutes I spotted five butterflies, one I have never seen before. What species? soon.
Behind my workplace, a school, are the local allotments. I know one of the allotment keepers has bees, as he works at the school. So despite the school being possibly classed as urban environment, there are the allotments close by.
The butterflies I spotted were small white, 2 tortoiseshell and red admiral.....the fifth..never seen before...the closest to what I saw is the Silver Washed Frittilary...the yellower one.
I'll be honest..it was yellow and black, and I know I have never seen one before...and was flying fairly low.
Have enjoyed spotting butterflies...now I need to check if our swifts are where they normally are this time of year...means walking the dogs later, but ...am OK about that...
The bats are still in the alleyway behind my house, am glad to see that..I thought their roost was subject to arson earlier this year, so am happy to see them.

Another butterfly count

2010-08-31T08:24:00.001-07:00

Around noon today I decided to do another butterfly count and submit my sightings, as part of the big butterfly count.
There were 28 in 15 minutes.
One I couldn't identify, cos it didn't settle and moved quite fast, and I saw what I think was a Comma butterfly. It's the first time I've seen one of those, so it made me smile.

Dangerous dogs!!! again?

2010-08-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

This story is news over here today and yesterday. The puzzling thing I have found is, some "news" reporters say there were 2 dogs, some say 3.
If you are going to run a story about dangerous dogs, or indeed anything, please get you facts right.
Although, to me, even one dog who attacks a child, is one too many. I have dogs of my own, but if either attacked a child I would have to consider the very worst thing a dog owner can possibly entertain.
But to me, the story just shows how lackadaisical are our laws about dogs. Yes, I know that the UK is renowned for it's love of it's pets, but a dangerous dog is just that, and perhaps our laws are not tight enough.

To dig or not to dig?

2010-08-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

If you a regular visitor, you will know that I live in "sunny" Morecambe! No joking, it is sunny today, there are loads of people on the prom, there's a free music festival on at The Platform, and has been since Saturday.
The beach had quite a few people on it, families, with children, enjoying the late summer sun, and even braving the water.
It made me smile to see children enjoying the sand, building sandcastles, etc. Then I saw this little kid climb out of a huge hole. The family left the beach, but the kid had a huge smile on his face. I have never dug holes, just for the fun of it, but both my sister and brother would do whenever we went on holiday as children.
So, I wonder if there are life's hole diggers, just because it's fun, like people climb mountains because they are there.
Are you a hole digger, or not? I know I'm not.

How did the spy die?

2010-08-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

This story is current news here.
The authorities are unsure how he met his death.
Taking into consideration he was found in a sports holdall, I'd say that they can rule out suicide.
I might be wrong, but the dead man was a spy, there is no mention of him being an amateur escapologist, so I am pretty sure they can safely rule out suicide.

What NOT to wear?

2010-08-24T02:14:00.000-07:00

At all times of the year there are fashion hints and tips for the public, on what to wear, what NOT to wear.
This article is very useful in that it tells you what NOT to wear in certain countries, in order not to cause offence, at least, and avoid arrest in the extreme.
However, there really are very few articles on what combinations are bad, or just plain wrong.
I'm not claiming to be a follower of fashion or anything like that here, in fact I have my own style, and it could be considered eccentric at times, but that's just me. And luckily Doc Martens come in lots of lovely colours and patterns these days, as they are the only thing that will accommodate my orthotics, without which I would struggle to walk any distance.
Me aside, in my my docs and long, ethnic skirts, with stripey or plain socks, depending on the boots.
Why was the young woman I saw the other day, with a lovely figure, showing it off in very short shorts and skimpy top wearing Ugg type boots. Not only are they ugly, I believe that is why they have the name Ugg, but I have not yet seen anyone walking correctly in ugg type boots, everyone seems to "scutch", my term for the draggy, slidy walk all ugg type boot wearers adapt.
Living in a seaside resort I do see some rare migrants in strange clothes, but there are people walking the streets who don't seem to be in possession of a mirror, or an honest friend.
Mind you, it all helps brighten up the day.
Oh! and as a postscript, apparently Doc Martens will be one of THE types of footwear to wear over the next fashion season or two, as top models have been seen wearing them.
Yay!...I'm setting the fashion for once! rofl :)

Compared to Beijing, Lancaster has light congestion!

2010-08-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

I read this story about congestion in Beijing.
Next time I get delayed sitting in traffic in Lancaster, I will think of this and count myself lucky.

Nice to see there are incompetents in other countries as well.

2010-08-20T02:38:00.000-07:00

This story made me laugh.
At least it isn't just the UK transport system that sometimes goes awry. Imagine getting on your train, to Milan, and it's an overnight train, so you settle down to sleep. You have no reason to expect to wake up anywhere other than Milan.
Apparently the train was one of those that gets split at a certain point. The two parts were sent in the wrong directions. The part that should have been going to Zurich was re-routed after the mistake was recognised, so WHY did no-one realise the other part was going to the wrong destination as well?
I think it is ironic that the train was named after a famous surrealist, Salvador Dali. I would guess even he might have thought heading for Milan and ending up in Zurich a little too hard to swallow.
My sympathies are with the travellers, but on the plus side, they may never have been to Zurich before.

Blue's visit [part 2 ]

2010-08-16T02:14:00.000-07:00

On the 2nd of August, Blue returned from 13's home in Gloucester. I was to collect her from the railway station at 11.30pm, but I waited until everyone got off the train, and the platform was bare, apart from me and a railway employee. I texted 13 saying that she had not arrived, he texted back that she had been on the train. After an hour Blue arrived in a taxi from Preston, the train she'd been on had been delayed, and it missed the connection at Preston, apparently Preston is notorious for this. In fact I do remember having to collect friends of Sam's from Preston once, when they had missed their connection late at night.
Tuesday, the day was dull and wet, we had planned to go to the South Lakes Wildlife park, but as very little of it is undercover, we made alternate plans, and drove around Pendle, stopping to look at places connected to the Lancashire Witch story. (There are even little brown signs saying "Lancashire Witch Trail").
Wednesday we visited, Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway, so Blue could see a working British steam train, then onto Near Sawrey to visit Beatrix Potter's home, Hilltop, and the village. We had dinner in a pub that features in at least one of her stories, toured the house, gardens and village. we then went on to Hawkshead, which I wandered around whilst, Blue visited the Beatrix Potter gallery there. I found and excellent shop called Relish that sells all sorts pickles, chutneys, herbs, spices, etc. Blue bought a bottle of Hawkshead Beer to take back, as her family has a "Hawkshead" in it's past.
Thursday was a more laid back day, visiting Lancaster firstly, to visit Waterstones....of course! What else would we want to visit for...lol.
Then after some lunch we went to the market here in Morecambe. Blue bought gifts to take home with her. The evening was again restful as Blue had to pack, and as her train to the airport was early, we had an early night.
I had a holiday in Blue's company, without having to stay in a strange place over night, as many of the things we did, I probably wouldn't have done on my own, apart from visiting the bookshop and driving around Pendle.
There is a whole raft of things still to do, but we'll have to wait until Blue's next visit for those.

Blue's visit [part 1]

2010-08-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Blue landed in the UK on Friday 23rd of July, and arrived in Sunny Morecambe on 24th.
Most of the day we just spent relaxing, and she got to meet my "someone special", yes, he has a name, and she does know it. We had a relaxed day with a roast for tea.
Sunday, Blue and I went to have a belated birthday lunch, for me, at the Hest Bank Hotel, Oliver had come back from Manchester as well to join us. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, chatting and reading.
Monday I drove Blue up to Kirkby Stephen for her chauffeured motorcycle tour of the Dales. I'm so glad she didn't ask me to accompany her, the helmet would have scared me. we wandered around Kirkby Stephen when she returned, then drove home. After a Nice and Spicy for tea we watched Tv and chatted. At 11.30pm I went to Lancaster station to collect another friend, 13.
On the Tuesday we three went to the Falconry Centre near Skipton. The displays were amazing, I took the wrong camera, so didn't get any photos, but I did have a Barn Owl and a young Kestrel land on my hand. Whilst we were there a local Buzzard dropped in for a visit, apparently, it has figured out, if it comes close enough it will be rewarded for it's boldness. The young Kestrel was clearly ill at ease with it though.
Wednesday we explored locally, OK..we walked along the prom and looked at landmarks.
Thursday, I took Blue and 13 to St Patrick's Chapel, whilst I went to the doctor's, then we went into Lancaster, looked around, visited Waterstones, then just before 5pm I said goodbye to them as they both caught the train down to 13s home in Gloucester.

Early start

2010-08-14T03:57:00.000-07:00

I woke at around 6.30am this morning, and after lying there listening to music for about 40 minutes I decided to get up.
I'm sure I'm going to meet myself coming back today. I've finished taping all the music I was going to tape, done two lots of washing, caught up ...almost...on blogs, I don't have a photograph of something I made for Edwin, but that can soon be remedied. I've got some meat ready for when my "someone special" returns home, it just needs to be turned on and cooked.
Yesterday, I had a "baking and cooking day". I made tomato and lentil soup, black rye bread, two cakes, and two lots of chocolate chip cookies. I also sewed up the jumper I have just finished knitting, and sewed some of Blue's dressing gown. I SHOULD have been worn out today, I usually am when I've had a busy day, but don't feel the slightest bit tired, despite having been awake since 6.30.
The sun is shining and the wind is blowing, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if the washing is almost dry and ready for ironing.

Sorry butterflies!

2010-08-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Well I've done what I said I would do.

I've cut Bertie Buddleia back

Sorry butterflies!

If I didn't do it, the council would have done, and last time they did it they butchered it. Which is why Bertie went mad ...Buddleias should be cut back when they are dormant, not in their growing period.

Before and after photos show that people can now get past without taking too much away. The top one is the after picture

Catch up

2010-08-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

I have so much stuff to catch up on my blogs
I think I need to set aside a day for catch up.
Since I last blogged on BAA I have read 13 books, and well into the 14th.
I have knitted, and created.
The only thing I haven't done is work on my current UFO
Must remedy that.
Thursday/Friday this week will be my catch up time...but I must trim back the buddleia as it is taking over the alleyway.....I'll take pics before and after trimming.

Another tiny catch up

2010-08-02T06:52:00.001-07:00

I've just spent 15 minutes in the yard watching for butterflies, as part of The Big Butterfly Count.
I planted a buddleia several years ago and it attracts butterflies, so I managed to count 26 in 15 minutes, there were also many bumble bees and honey bees drinking the beautiful scented nectar.
Edwin is back from Kendal Calling festival, and is currently showering then getting something to eat.
I have had a lovely restful weekend with my "someone special".

Catch up time

2010-07-31T03:46:00.000-07:00

I suppose now...my summer break from work... is a good time to catch up on blogging?
I have a few weeks rough on the health front, and an extremely busy one this week.
My friend Blue is over from USA, and another friend, 13, came to stay on Monday evening, very late. I have driven further this week than I had in the previous 4 months! I do tend to walk when possible.I think Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday might be just as busy, so I should take this weekend to recharge my batteries, lol!
I'll blog more about the week's activities later.
I have catch ups on various other blogs to do as well. I have read 12 books since I last posted on BAA.

best pubs?

2010-07-10T07:48:00.000-07:00

http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-2902225
I wonder if they are really the best pubs in UK?
I do know of two others that could possibly make it onto this list.
One being the Ty Coch Inn at Porth Dinllaen, as it is on the beach!
The other is closer to home, it being The Golden Ball, otherwise known as "Snatchems". It has quite a history, as drinkers can be cut off there at high tide, at certain times of the year. The Press Gang would make it one of their "ports of call" and it is rumoured that they would "recruit" drunks stranded there, and by the time the "recruit" had sobered up the ship would be well at sea as the River Lune is at it's very lowest reaches there, with open sea only a matter of minutes away.
I'm sure there are many more interesting pubs that could make it onto the list.

New blog

2010-06-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

I have set up a new blog.
If you want to take a look, it's called Going to Extremes