Another goal reached (albeit slowly)!

A, has gone home with his mum today! All is well and their new beginning has started! I am so happy for them, and wish them all the very best!

Wow, the house is so quiet! I am cleaning up, so I come back to a tidy house after my course in B'ham Monday and Tuesday! Ciara is going to her friends farmhouse in Shropshire while I am away(thx)! It will be strange on my own! I shall be staying in a lovely hotel and taking my fave snacks and a novel to read....... I will blog after I come back and tell you all I've learned on the course!

Well, cleaning time for me....

Bye for now...
:)

Gus, the Malamute

Malamute photos by kind permission of Victoria Ries, Copyright
© 2006. All rights reserved.
email: victoriaries@hotmail.com


This is Gus, my sisiter's lovely smiling Malamute.......

Britt's arriving any minute.......

Good day for homemade soup!

I had intended to make soup last night...but....anyway, it's on the stove now! It's Butternut Squash and Sweet Chestnut, one of my inventive concoctions, that could be included in a posh restaurant's menu! Easy to make:
1 Butternut Squash, peeled, de-seeded and chopped into fairly large chunks
1 can of sweet Chestnut puree( all that wind shook the chestnuts off the local tree before they were ready, otherwise I would have used those and pureed them with the zuzzer)!
Sage and a bit of Maldon Sea Salt

Combine ingredients with some water and cook till tender.Zuzz with hand-held zuzzer if required!
EAT!

Phrases we use from history....

Here are some interesting facts about the 1500's!

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock them out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small, and they started running out of places to bury people. So, they would dig up coffins and would take their bones to a house and reuse the grave. In reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they thought they would tie a string on their wrist and lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night to listen for the bell. Hence on the "graveyard shift" they would know that someone was "saved by the bell" or he was a "dead ringer."

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and were still smelling pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the b.o.

Baths equaled a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs. Thick straw, piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the pets... dogs, cats and other small animals, mice, rats, bugs lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could really mess up your nice clean bed. So, they found if they made beds with big posts and hung a sheet over the top, it addressed that problem. Hence those beautiful big 4 poster beds with canopies. I wonder if this is where we get the saying "Good night and don't let the bed bugs bite"...

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors which would get slippery in the winter when wet. So they spread thresh on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on they kept adding more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed at the entry way, hence a "thresh hold."

They cooked in the kitchen in a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They mostly ate vegetables and didn't get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes the stew had food in it that had been in there for a month. Hence the rhyme: peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork and would feel really special when that happened. When company came over, they would bring out some bacon and hang it to show it off. It was a sign of wealth and that a man "could really bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with a high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food. This happened most often with tomatoes, so they stopped eating tomatoes...for 400 years.

Most people didn't have pewter plates, but had trenchers - a piece of wood with the middle scooped out like a bowl. Trenchers were never washed and a lot of times worms got into the wood. After eating off wormy trenchers, they would get "trench mouth.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the "upper crust".

Computer time

Seems like today I am consumed by the computer! Trying to find a good host for my site. There are so many bad ones out there, and I want to find one that has great templates or will let me have one I have made. I am finding out how little I know about IT! I am learning by the minute though, so will be proficient at it soon!

Called the respite centre, and mum is doing fine!

Ciara is cooking some absolutely lovely stuff these days! She has made her own recipes up, and I am impressed!

A has just fallen asleep, so will have to wake him up after an hour or so, otherwise he wont sleep tonight! B is coming Friday evening!

Off to respite...

Well, mum is at the Respite Centre now. All went well, except she has a cold, which made her a bit miserable!Anyway, now I am concentrating on some of the other things I have to be getting along with.....which are many and varied!
It's a lovely sunny day, and I'm going up to the village now!
More later!
:)

Reading up...

All else had to take a back-seat yesterday, as I have been reading everything I can find on NLP! I have internalised some of the eye movements and some of the vague questions etc! I am getting the card decks to help from one site I found useful! I am booking my hotel today. Tip: Lots of good hotels at really great prices from www.lastminute.com I found a four star for sooooo cheap, really close to the venue!
I am getting mum's clothes ready for tomorrow when she goes to the Respite Centre. Then I am getting A's clothes all together ready for Saturday!
Well, going to the village to get a few things...
Will write more later!
:)

It's later now! My site is up live. My web developer/designer e-friend says he can't read the text and it all looks dodgy to him! That's why I will change hosts again as soon as poss, and get a more pro template and the xml feed to it! I am busy all the time it seems with frequent distractions......soon to all change! Tomorrow mum goes off to respite (12.50), then Saturday, A goes back to mum for good! Wow, I can have a ball!
Now, I MUST book that hotel for Sunday and Monday night......
Got a great deal and am booked at a 4 star!!
Nighty night all!
:)

strawbaleenthusiasts@groups.msn.com

strawbaleenthusiasts@groups.msn.com is a new group I have set up! I want people now to discuss everything strawbale! If you are building or dreaming of building a strawbale home or structure, I would love to have you join!Building my own strawbale home is one of my goals on my 'to-do' list! Feel free to openly discuss all aspects of lifestyles associated with strawbale! I have a chatroom too!

GM Crops

Coexistence is another word for contamination, which threatens our food if GM crops are grown in this country

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/contentlookup.cfm?&ucidparam=20060901114530&MenuPoint=D-I


Take a moment to read up on what this will mean to your life and health.
Who will carry the can?
Who will pay?
Who will be in control of this situation?

Find out.....




01-09-2006
The government has launched a consultation on the issue of coexistence between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops, asking for feedback on what measures would be required to allow GM crops to be grown in this country.
Anyone with concerns about the future of our food can contribute, including the general public, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have published their own proposal laying out what they see as the way forward. Unfortunately, it doesn't go nearly far enough to address the issue of contamination and provide protection for both non-GM and organic farmers.
We will be making our own submission to the consultation but you can too. Friends of the Earth have produced an action pack which will help you prepare your submission - the closing date is 20 October 2006.
Contamination, not coexistenceThe word 'coexistence' is itself misleading. It implies that GM crops can be grown without any damaging effects to other crops, the environment or human health. But nature is nothing if not pervasive and once GM crops are released, contamination of non-GM crops is inevitable.
If the principle of coexistence is adopted, contamination will become the norm but the government doesn't seem to think this is a problem. Their proposal is based on two assumptions - that contamination is acceptable, and that the GM industry should use voluntary codes of conduct to regulate itself. With continuing reports of contamination around the world, including the recent scandal surrounding US rice imports, it would be grossly irresponsible to hand control over to the very corporate interests promoting GM foods in the first place.
Even when the proposal does lay down measures to minimise contamination, they are woefully inadequate. It suggests a buffer zone of 110m between GM and non-GM crops for grain maize and only 35m for oilseed rape, but pollen from both species has been shown to travel many times further than this on the wind. Add bees and other pollinating insects into the equation and those distances increase dramatically.
The government are also attempting to shift the goalposts and redefine what levels of contamination are 'acceptable'. Without prior consultation, they have already decided that crops can be contaminated by 0.9 per cent without needing to be identified and labelled as GM. EU legislation says this is only acceptable if the producer can prove such contamination was no fault of their own, but the UK seems prepared to overturn this.
It would be so easy to take that limit right down. The lowest reliable detection rate is 0.1 per cent and the Soil Association already insist on this when certifying organic producers. Yet even though one of the main attractions of organic food is that it is guaranteed to be GM-free, Defra think that insisting on this in legislation would not be in the best interests of the organic industry, a viewpoint that is hard to fathom.
Who will be liable?So contamination means non-GM and organic farmers risk losing not only their crops, but also their GM-free status. This can have costly implications so liability needs to be established, but the proposal is vague about who should carry the can.
The government's preferred solution is a voluntary scheme in which the GM industry regulates itself, instead of strict measures being laid out in legislation. The proposal also suggests that only direct financial losses be paid for, discounting other long-term costs such as an organic farmer being decertified, loss of reputation or even the expense of testing for contamination in the first place.
In fact, the onus is on non-GM farmers to prove that contamination was not their fault rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt. Non-GM farmers in the US and Canada who are found to have GM strains growing as a result of contamination are being asked by the biotech companies to pay huge sums of money or face legal action due to infringement of patent rights, and the same could happen here.
But liability isn't just about purely monetary concerns, there is also damage to the environment to consider. Clean-up operations to eradicate the contamination will be costly, and it's doubtful whether such attempts would be successful. Once GM pollen and seeds are released into the wild, even unintentionally, they are impossible to recall and the contamination could be deeply entrenched before any clean-up attempt can be mobilised.
Consumer says 'no'It's clear that the government is hell-bent on commercialising GM crops in the UK, even after nearly a decade of complete rejection by consumers and experts alike. Even the government's own advisors have said that if GM crops are grown, contamination is inevitable and that the knock-on costs to non-GM and organic farmers will be considerable.
But it's not too late to have your say. Make your voice heard and tell the government there must be no GM crops grown in this country. Other EU states will be watching the outcome closely so this is a real opportunity to influence not only the UK government, but also the rest of Europe.
You don't need to be an expert on GM food to contribute to the consultation, and Friends of the Earth have all the information you need to prepare your submission. The closing date is 20 October 2006, so make sure your voice counts.
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Related Articles
Food Standards Authority faces legal action over GM rice in UK supermarkets
One fifth of US rice contaminated with illegal GM strain
GM rice contamination reaches the UK
Related Links
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Today is GREAT!

Today is great because all I want to happen is falling into place nicely and easily. I actually talked to B last night for a half hour! All was positive and my reality check has brought her down to Earth with a bump! A is going home next weekend! I am so happy for A!
More later on....
:)

Worn out

After a night of trying to get to sleep, I was downstairs getting the Passiflora at 3.30 this morning. After that I overslept till 7.45. I am worn out today. The woman who runs the respite centre came an hour late, and then mum was mean to A while talking to her.....I am so looking forward to a break, and to returning responsibility of A to his mother. Respite will also be a break for mum, and she will get used to another environment, ready to go permanently. Her behaviour is awful with other people, but she will have a room and TV all to herself, just like here, so she should be ok.
I am knackered.
Am cooking brown rice and veg for tea, nice and healthy for the overweight among us!
This is my tesco.com order:

3
Hovis Square Medium White 800g
Each
£0.94
£2.82
2
Warburtons Organic Sliced White Bread 400g
Each
£0.84
£1.68
1
Maple Pecan Plait 2 Pack
Each
£0.77
£0.77
1
Tesco Eat Me Keep Me Bananas Pack
Each
£1.49
£1.49
1
Tesco Organic Gala Polybag Apple
Each
£2.49
£2.49
2
Tesco Organic Ridge Cucumber
Each
£0.79
£1.58
1
Tesco Organic Celery
Each
£0.69
£0.69
1
Tesco Organic Butternut Squash catchweight
Kg
£-
£1.59
1
Cooked Beetroot Vacuum Pack 250g
Each
£0.69
£0.69
1
Sweet Potatoes 750g
Each
£1.26
£1.26
1
Baking 2.5kg Pack Potatoes
Each
£1.18
£1.18
1
Tesco Roasted Red Pepper Houmous 200g
Each
£1.04
£1.04
1
Tesco B1032 Organic beef Mince 400g
Each
£1.99
£1.99
1
Tesco Wafer Thinsmoked Ham 500g
Each
£1.98
£1.98
1
Tesco Value Liver & Bacon Spreading Pate 150g
Each
£0.43
£0.43
1
Tesco Whole Milk 3.408ltr/6 Pints
Each
£1.62
£1.62
1
Tesco Organic Butter 250g
Each
£0.87
£0.87
1
Cathedral City Mature Cheddar 600g
Each
£4.39
£4.39
2
Tesco Value Fromage Frais 6 Pack 360g
Each
£0.44
£0.88
1
Walkers Cheese Onion 26 X 25g
Each
£2.98
£2.98
1
Weetabix Organic whole Grain Cereal 24's
Each
£2.12
£2.12
1
Tesco Extra Virgin Olive Oil 750ml
Each
£3.44
£3.44
1
Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon Powder 150g
Each
£1.48
£1.48
1
Tesco Finest Black Bean Stir Fry Sauce 350g
Each
£1.49
£1.49
1
Hp Classic Barbeque Sauce 430g
Each
£1.23
£1.23
1
Crazy Jack Long Grain Organic Brown Rice 500g
Each
£0.99
£0.99
3
Heinz Spaghetti Bolognese 400g
Each
£0.89
£2.67
5
Tesco Mackerel Filletsin Tomato 125g
Each
£0.53
£2.65
2
Dolmio Extra Spicy Bolognese Sauce 500g
Each
£1.14
£2.44
1
Mccain Homefries 2.25kg
Each
£2.35
£1.99
4
Tesco 4 Battered Haddock fillets 540g
Each
£1.99
£1.99
1
Tesco 4 Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets 380g
Each
£1.88
£1.88
1
Tesco Organic Apple Juice 1 Litre
Each
£0.99
£0.99
4
Radox Bath Saltsmuscle Soak 400g
Each
£0.98
£3.92
1
Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo New 400ml
Each
£2.96
£2.96
1
Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Conditioner New 400ml
Each
£2.96
£2.96
1
Ecover Washing Up Liquid Camomile 1 L
Each
£1.74
£1.74
1
Andrex Toilet Tissue White 9 Roll 2169 Sheet
Each
£3.87
£3.00

A few technical hitches

My site will be up soon! Just a few techy probs that are being sorted out!
The day is going well, and C and I are doing synonyms and plurals, and using a kids thesaurus. We will go up to the village soon to get a few things done, then I am going to do a short tesco.com order!
Got an email sent to the dispensary to get mum's meds for her stay at the Respite Centre.....
Sorting more products for www.giftsforalluk.co.uk this afternoon. Have changed the template, and hope to get your feedback on it when it goes live! I think it looks quite fun and lively.....
The dropship company have lots of new items, and I have included some that I think will make you smile!
Bye for now :)

Productive day

Late blogging today!
I had the social worker in for mum today to do tests and assessment. The visit went well, and the woman who runs the centre is coming Friday morning, as she couldn't make it today. Mum will go to respite next Tuesday for two weeks! Then I am booking her in for two weeks every six weeks. This will allow Ciara and I quality time together, and have fun! I also mentioned B to her re A, and explained the situation and what I want to happen. I told her that I would send a message to B via Charlotte, and be unavailable. I will stay away for an extra day to make sure she gets it in her head that I mean business!
Ciara is getting much better handwriting now, and I am very pleased with her reading abilities, and the correct spelling will come in time!

See ya tomorrow!
Night :)

Getting things done...

At last things are coming together in so far as coordinating care while I am away! I have a social worker coming tomorrow morning with the person who runs the respite centre. If mum is accepted, they have a place starting next Tuesday for two weeks! I am also going to talk about permanent placement, as I have put my life on hold for too long. I have explained to mum why I am going, and she seems to be in agreement so far, and even if she weren't, I would still go. I am looking forward to 2 days away on my own while I do NLP. It is over 30 yrs since I have been truly away! I will take my Passiflora with me just in case, but I have been sleeping ok lately, so probably won't need it!

I am making toffee apple butter today in the slow cooker to put in jars!I have some apples that were given to me and don't want to waste them....

Donna, I know you are in Nevada now, and you have access to a puter, so can keep in touch alot better than before. I know you got out of your comfort zone to do this, and it is the only way forward to solve the problems. You are fortunate to have a job waiting, so can do all the things you need to do. I will call you a bit later to chat when you are up and around.

Bye till later :)

I am informing B that she isn't to send A back after his visit to her, as I will still be away purposely. It is time to take back responsibility! I have to stop being so kind , forget my emotions and use my intellect for a change!

www.giftsforalluk.co.uk

Hi all!
I am looking into changing my host again, as on comparing other sites, the templates are just not professional looking enough!
I met and have been messaging a pro web developer from my dropship company forum! It was just a chance meeting, but has proved invaluable to me! Now I will be able to have xml feed to my site, which will make it much more manageable than handling everything manually, as I don't have that sort of time to spare.I want to have a productive site, and getting new hosting will solve the problem. How great it is to have a bit of support from a pro!
Ben brought the phone back today, so I can receive calls now by the way! We have a much better relationship now, and he even gave me a hug goodbye!
V, I hope you are feeling better now after taking all your remedies! We all try to be defensive drivers, but things can happen that are out of our control sometimes. Stay positivex

Where's my cordless?

Today has been another busy and stressful day, what with one thing and another. I have tried hard getting the laundry up to date....if only my washer was faster!
Anyway, as I was taking mum for a walk, Andrew was brought back, so took him along too. We went up Bury Lane. So called I think, because during the Wars of the Roses, this estate was a field hospital for all the casualties of battle. They were buried down the bottom of the road, and a neighbour has seen three apparitions in her house at night. She isn't the type to make up stories, so according to her, the ghosts were dressed in Medieval clothing, and just stood there by her bed and then disappeared.While Ben was living here he had some bad experiences with forces he didn't at the time believe in. Talking of Ben, he came here today, then left in a rush for work in town.(Yes, he has a job)! He works in a restaurant! It is a start anyway........but in his mad rush to catch his ride, he put my cordless phone in his pocket! So, if anyone has tried to call and can't get an answer, you will know why! Hope I get it back in one piece. I may have to go to town to get it tomorrow morning.....

I have technical difficulties with my site, so will get it sorted tomorrow.

Made two big pots of Damson jam this afternoon in my breadmaker....comes out right every time that way, and no messing with thermometers!

Ciara just came in after being bullied in the park. Now playing the piano beautifully! Her latest song is Uptown Girl!

Sorry Donna, for not being able to call you before your trip to Nevada, but haven't got a phone here...

www.giftsforalluk.co.uk

Very busy today! My new biz should be up and running on Monday.......just waiting for the new server to kick in, so hopefully only 48 hours! Meanwhile, I am busy selecting cool and unusual...and DISCOUNTED! gifts! All items will have discounts of 50% for the first month, and then again around Christmas time. All items are inclusive of VAT and shipping costs, so shop early, in the comfort of your own home! Happy gift shopping!

Town today....

We went to town today to get a few things and have a break. Mum stayed with one of my trustworthy neighbours so she wouldn't slow us down too much.Ciara got some new wool for her French Knitting and an outfit... Came back in a cab, as had to fetch mum's drinks from the doctor's office.
Trying to sort out my site ready for Monday. Tomorrow, A is going to the seaside with one of B's friends who has looked after him before......I will be able to concentrate better when he isn't here, as lately, he has been getting into everything, including pulling the small tv off the table and wandering off. He is grounded now.........
Had my Bible study with Pat this afternoon....
Cooking chicken breasts, rice and green and red peppers for supper, as I realised I hadn't eaten anything all day. Could be why I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off!
Anyway, that seems to be it for today...am running out of things to blog lately, so might give it a rest over the weekend.

My new water butt...

I go and look to see how much water is in my new butt....and there is a black bag and the water is yellow brown......so I am emptying it now!. As we haven't had rain for a while, the dirt from the roof showed up in the water. I will have to clean the gutters .....

Would like to build my strawbale house now....
I am keeping positive vibes that someone will have nice dry bales for me when I am ready to build......

C found this Dragonfly dead on the path out front today.....it is so beautiful.....one of the cats must have got it. :(

BBC Have your say...

Got my bit published today!
The question was : Does modern day life cause depression? Is it harder than ever to be a child?

I home educate my child, while also caring for my elderly mum. My child has room to grow without the brain-washing style of teaching in modern schools. I want my child to be able to think for herself, and make good choices. I have an ecommerce business venture, so can be home and have an income.Our lessons also include cooking, climate change, recycling and alternative energy.

Windgenny
Clare Finley, Hereford

Recommended by 8 people

Maybe...

I have been thinking lately about the traditions of the UK.
I have come to the conclusion that they appear to have been started by the barbarians of long ago....but somehow are instilled genetically and are alive and well today! Maybe humans need this behaviour for survival? Who knows? Bullied turn to bully, etc and so it goes on, generation after generation.
Yes, anger is definitely needed for primitive survival skills, and flight or fight is all part of it, but in this culture of junk-food and genetically modified crops, I see real trouble ahead. Government tries to nanny this country, but the truth is, it doesn't have it's citizens' best interest at heart. The secret to a healthy life is really no secret, but it can't be achieved unless the government cleans up it's act, and stops lying to the people. Greed is uppermost in thier mind.....our health is not. That's why I would do anything Greenpeace asked me to do for them in the name of Earthly sanity.
The people need to stand up and be counted, not exist as mere robots, willing to go along passively with anything Government says. We do have an energy crisis waiitng to happen, but where is the help? Not at an individual level, which would bring it close to the hearts of all citizens. Rather, it is Government Monopoly.....a game played by only the top hotshots, in control of all the banks and financial institutions. What sane society would want Nuclear Power Stations at the end of their garden? Waste buried safely, for how long? What about their impact on climate change? We are a tiny country compared to China. China is burning fossil fuels like the Earth doesn't matter. We buy their cheap products, and encourage their irresponsible acts..... We could have our problem solved fast if people would stop wasting and think of the future generations. Start making products that aren't chipped to breakdown in a few months....save the landfills! In years gone by, products were made to last! Now the greed factor has set in....
Help save the planet by building green, recycling and re-using, and instead of voting for your same-old politician, do something different for a change......vote green.Build a truly green strawbale house.......forget the draughty old normal houses, that need ridiculous amounts of power to heat! Strawbale is warm in the winter and cool in the summer......no poisons emitting from the cement and building materials to make you sick either. Get real, people!
Use micro-generation and solar and tailor your use to how much power you generate!

That just had to come out sooner or later!

Confirmation!

I got the confirmation email today!

Applicants Name:Clare Finley

Confirmation of Scholarship place for NLP Diploma in

Birmingham 2/3rd October 2006.

Carrs Lane Church Centre
Carrs Lane
Birmingham
B4 7SX

And, as A's dad seems to be unreachable, Charlotte is going to have him when I am away! C is going to stay with her friends in Shropshire, (thanks alot), and mum will be in respite care. It will be fun doing things for me for two whole days! If anyone else is interested in free NLP, click the link below.....

www.free-nlp.co.uk

I had to get off msn mess really fast yesterday, as had to go searching for A in the village. Sorry I missed your call V. Hope you are having a great time too!

I was accepted for the NLP Scholarship!

Wow! Nothing else matters today!!

I have to chase people up now, so I have mum taken care of, as the doc sent the letter to the wrong place......

:)

Have done lots of chasing up, and finally got that referral letter faxed to the right place, after they had been sitting on it and denying they had it for over a week.....talked to mum's previous social worker and she is getting it sorted at their meeting Thursday.....

Andrew followed the next door kid all the way up to the village and when I got to the shop via the back way today looking for him, Ness told me she had called the house and Andrew was being taken back.........
Then when I got back, mum was sitting out front in her nighty for all to see...... talk about pissed off.....

Now, to calm down and get other things done.....

;)

Thought I would just add the Planetary Hour:

Group meetings for fun. Religious meetings and meditation groups. Long term travel. Fun and adventure. Speculation. Investing. Entering college for first time or signing onto a course. Education. Taking medicine for the first time. Athletics and most sports. Jogging. Flying lessons, gliding, hang-gliding, kite-flying, sky-diving, mountain climbing, skiing. Trying something new. Festivities, dancing, musical gatherings. Taking mind-altering substances. Talismans for legal or financial favour; also for ease in travel abroad. Legal matter. Taking insurance. Youthful people. Proposals of marriage. Promotional ventures. Beginning advertising campaigns. International contacts and contracts. Shipping. Large scale projects. Futuristic endeavours. Journeying; wandering; hill waking. Purchase Jupiterian items. Large animals. Psychotherapy: imaginative work; guided visualisations; altering negative statements into positive statements (i.e. changing 'negative inner scripts'); anchoring positive images/memories (NLP); affirmations' 'letting go.' Publishing. Group ritual where image work is essential. Mainly yang energy.

Day almost over...

This is another pic of a strawbale house I found on the web! I think mine will be round, but not sure yet......

Today has been quite uneventful......

Advice for anybody who wants changes in their lives.... www.paulmckenna.com and then download the free trance. It is so helpful!

More tomorrow!

I am not.....

I am not responsible for other peoples actions. Vic, please try that trance....it works wonders!

Wow! yesterday was so packed with things that I didn't have time to blog further. I did get my water butt together and in place, even though I didn't have the right size hole-bit for it. There happened to be the building maintenance van waiting outside next door's when they were out....and they had the right bit! I am so pleased that I will catch the next rainfall we have!

Also had to go collect potential evidence for the cops....then forensics came this am to do prints....

The house is a bit tidier now....although the washing will take days of sun to get up to date!

Ben got jumped by 6 guys and brought here at 1am.....leaving later today...

Today when near the Nursing Home, I met a builder who told me all about insulation! He has aslo built a strawbale house.....

I am getting housework done....

More later...

Full Moon at dawn...

Full Moon at dawn...

Full Moon

This morning, I am trying to get a great pic of the full moon. So far, my pics have come out like one bright headlight in the dark, so I am waiting for it to get a bit lighter before I try again! I am realising (late in life, I know), that my body is attuned to the moon and it's pull. I even started my monthly cycle yesterday! How's that for timing? Yes, a bit personal, but isn't that what a true blog is supposed to be?! I have a Moonphase button on my page, and it tells how all women are influenced by it's forces. Once upon a time, I wouldn't have even thought about this subject, but I am learning alot about myself lately, and am fascinated to find out things I wasn't aware of, even a few months ago!
Will try for another pic in a mo.....

And how about this....unless they have spyware, how would they know this? Taken from the Moonphase site just now:

Meetings with influential people: father, mother, boss, president, bank manager. Matters of honour and prestige. Seek professional advice for guidance. Vocational decisions. Consciously directed goals. Male influences. Eyesight: visits to the opticians or doing eye exercises. Psychotherapy: applying NLP techniques; father issues; ego-development work; power and identity issues - especially for men. Also, bringing things out into the open. A time for self-honesty. Gold prospecting. Try not to get over-tired as exhaustion is a possibility. Cleaning bright surfaces - polishing. Purchase Sun items. Royalty. Managers. Executives. Government and political matters. . Yang energy. Creative energy and self-expression. Artistic and music work. Talismans for power, health, strength and influence.

I went to the optician's last Thursday. My latest NLP technique was last night at 9.25. Vocational decisions, my eCommerce shop.M, V and L were the professional guidance (sooo appreciated)x.The goal for my shop to open is the 15th.....etc etc, I am very impressed!
My Housing Association have made me Grounds Maintenance Monitor, as I volunteered for the vacant post. My job is to keep an eye on the Grounds Maintenance man and award him points for his services! Could be quite fun!

More as the day progresses, I have no doubt!

Town trip today

Went to town with mum, C and A today! I got a new pr of boots for walking! Also got a new mop for my floors. Saw Ben there and we went to a cafe to eat lunch. I broke the news of his clothes and told him that I had sent the dosh for another puffa coat for him, that I won on Ebay last night after doing my tesco.com order. I could spend hours on Ebay, and it is so convenient for us shut-in types! The next big thing I have to get is a new carpet for my room and a new bed. I really must get motivated now to clean this living room, as C's piano teacher will be here in just over an hour. Must go! More later, maybe....

Update 10pm...
It,s nearly bedtime, and will be getting some more done on my site tomorrow after the usual chores are done. I want the site up asap, ready for promoting by the 15th,at the latest, so have alot of work to do! There are plenty of new things at the dropship site for me to include, and have got my meta-tags done already. I will be giving discounts for the first month or so, to get repeat customers and build a good rep for my company. Paypal will be my payment gateway for now, till I get more established, and remember, you don't need a Paypal Account to make transactions! When I had my site up before, the host made it impossible to add meta-tags to the home-page, so had complete control and charged £250 a day for promo! Well, I don't think that's fair, so I discontinued our contract mutually. Now I am ready to start again and be succesful!
Hope everyone has a good night!

Bye for now

Quiet day ahead

I think I shall have a quiet birthday today.......nothing to report as yet, thank god.

Well, the riddle of the lost case and holdall is partly solved. Cops got a report from someone that a burned out case was found in a field in the village. As they thought I suited the bill as Detective, they gave me directions as to where it was. First I couldn't find it, so went home and called the nice Policewoman again. When I had had a cuppa, I went again, and the owner of the field was in it, and it said 'Private'. So I explained to him why I was there and took a look at the burned contents and case. Definitely Ben's stuff, including his lovely puffa jacket I got him off Ebay, and his Fubu sweater, etc etc.
The owner said that his neighbour had run the guys off and tried to put the fire out, as it was in a field of long grass....what idiots live here! Anyway, I talked to neighbours and found out there were four of them and so there are witnesses....and a forensic scientist came to the house this am before the case was found to take prints from the cd's that were tossed in the school field..... such service! I was impressed!
Anyway, I guess she will be sent to the field now to take more prints, as I told cops that there were four objects that were smooth and shiny for good prints.....
So I am just waiting to hear from them now. Lovely bd for me....just call me gumshoe! Or no sole, as I can see my foot thru it from so much walking!

And, finally! My water butt came after more than two months waiting! It had gone to the wrong address.....etc etc! Need a new drill bit before I can set it up tho. Also found my door key! Maybe go on the bus to town tomorrow to get a new mop and a pr of hiking boots.......yay!

Drama at no.16

+I thought I was going to have a peaceful day!
I had come back from the village shop, Andrew was asleep in his stroller, and I had just done my Paul McKenna trance.......I felt great!

Then, C came in and said Ben was here. He was starting trouble next door, as his necklace got stolen from here a while ago, and the bloke next door has it. His mum was on her lunchbreak (therapist), and got extremely angry at Ben as he was threatening to beat her son up. He had bought it off another little rogue from around here apparently, except the rogue says he didn't...complicated, but there we are.....
After using his usual behaviour to gain entry to the house, he ranted and raved and messed the Sky up again, by moving it downstairs ......he thought he was moving back in!
He just didn't get it....Anyway, with everyone out of the house except for him, I waited till he was in the shower and called the cops..........and as it wasn't exactly a life threatening incident, I called the non-emergency number. Got through to a machine several times till the control room took the call and said they would send someone out! An hour went by, and it looked like it was going to rain, so I called again to ask when and if someone was really coming to help. The cop on duty said all officers were tied up, but they would send someone as soon as they were free! Whenever that would be.....
A few minutes later, they arrived, and Ben kicked off to a good start by f-ing at me! They went in the house and made sure he knew he was to leave....but he still didn't get it......he wanted them to wait till his washing was out of the machine, and even asked me to cook him an egg! Ummmm, what?
Anyway, after his washing was done, the cops went in to get him out, and he didn't take the washing with him! Just playing games....

Anyway, he asked the cops for a ride, but they weren't going his way, so he is down the road, sending messages via one of the little rogues, that he needs a bite to eat. I said I'd make him a fish sandwich and he had to come back in 15 minutes for it, but Ben was NOT allowed to come here.
More later

I thought my day couldn't get much worse! But, oh joy, was I wrong....

After I had cooked the fish sandwich, I had to run upstairs, as A had been calling me repeatedly for a few minutes but I couldn't leave the fish in the pan......when I got upstairs, he was a mess...NO.2 of course! So, I ran a bath for him and while I was in the bathroom, havoc was reigning downstairs!

After I got A dry and clothed, I went downstairs to a kitchen and living room heavily coated with icing sugar (2 boxes). I went berserk, and went outside to find C and her 'friend' running up the road, covered in white powder. I called them back and made them clean up the mess. C is grounded for 2 weeks with no computer. (and no friend contact). All she will be able to do is her schoolwork! They had been in the process of making me a birthday cake for tomorrow, when they went nuts with the icing sugar........ As they had set the fire alarms off because of the fine particles,I had to open the front door. In all the fuss, I have mislaid my front door key... B walked in to the house peevishly and asked if he could get something to eat.......I was so mad by this time that I told him to get whatever he wanted and get out. He said he had a ride in the morning then he could take the rest of his things to Leominster........I haven't said he can't stay over, as he will be sleeping in a field otherwise.......

He has gone to get his case which is in a field somewhere in a hedge.......

He had a fight in town before he got the bus here, so will have to change his lousy attitude or get into deep doo doo...... and find self-respect through work...
He came back and someone has stolen all his belongings.....

I need that trance again NOW!

UPDATE WED> 6TH: Ben has gone back to town on the bus, after making police report for his stuff. He found some of his cd's in the field and they have fingerprints on them...

New Words, from strangecosmos

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately,shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

4. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

5. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

6. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray painted very, very high.

7. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

8. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

9. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness

10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes andit's like,a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

18. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an a** hole.

We will miss you Steve....

Steve got stabbed in the heart by a Stingray barb, and died while diving.
We are so sad, and will miss your educational shows.

American Shepherd's Pie!!??

1/2 cup chopped onions 2 lbs. chopped? beef 4 large sliced carrots 2 cups peas Small amount of cooking fat 3 cups water 6 cups mashed potatoes GRAVY: 2 cubes beef bouillon, 1 tsp Bisto to thicken.

Cook onions in oil until transparent. Brown ground beef and drain off excess fat. Add water, crumble bouillon cubes, and carrots? lol! Simmer gently for 10-20 minutes,stirring frequently, do not let it cook dry. Add more water if necessary. Mix bisto according to directions on tin and add to meat mixture, stirring continuously until the gravy thickens. Place meat mixture into an oven proof casserole dish, if the gravy covers the meat mixture drain off and reserve to use later. I would advise to make lots of gravy.Spoon peas over mixture, and top with mashed potatoes,making a design with a fork on top. Place under grill or in oven, until top is a golden brown and serve immediately with the extra gravy.

Wow! And I always thought that was Cottage Pie! Silly me!

Tamale Pie Recipe

Thought you might like to have this recipe for Tamale (Tamarly) Pie!
It uses cornmeal, which in the UK, is Polenta (unmade), available from Daily Bread in Cambridge or Northampton,and is available online at Northampton.
Mexican origin, and one of my faves from the past.

Ing.
For the Tamale crust:

5 cups water
2 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 1/2 cups cornmeal (unmade polenta)

Combine above ingredients in saucepan, over med. heat. Cook till thickened, about 15 minutes.Stir frequently. Line the sides and bottom of a greased casserole with cooked mixture.

Tamale Pie Filling:

2 tbsp shortening
1 lb ground beef (mince)
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced olives( black or green)
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup cream style corn (not available in the UK) so just use canned corn and mush it up.
1 tbsp chili pepper
2 tsp salt
1 cup grated mature cheese.

Melt shortening in frying pan.Add ground beef and cook till browned, and then add remaining ing. except for cheese. Simmer about 20 mins. Place in the casserole and put the lid on with the rest of the Tamale crust mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 35o for 45 mins or so.

Ok! Seems everyone's done this, except for me......

1. How tall are you in bare feet?
5' 7"
2. Have you ever been cheated on?
Yes
3.Do you own a gun?
No
4.What do you think of hot dogs?
I think all hot dogs have a right to a decent sex-life.
5.What's your favourite Christmas song?
They are all lovely.
6.What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Tea
7.Do you do push-ups?
I like the strawberry ones I used to get in America.
8. Have you ever done ecstasy?
Don't need pills for this purpose.
9.Do you like Disney World?
Only been to Disneyland, Cal. It's a small world after all.
10.Do you like the rain?
Yes
11.Do you own a knife?
Kitchen knives only.
12.What do you smell like?
Mostly human with a touch of Charlie Pink.
13.Do you have ADD?
Sometimes during stressful multi-tasking jobs.
14.Full initials?
CAF
15.Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
Need a cuppa.
Hope it doesn't rain.
This is taking forever.
16.Name the last 3 things you have bought today?
Nothing, as the shop is closed.
17.Name 5 drinks you regularly drink.
Tea, water, tea, water, tea
18.What time did you wake up today?
6.30
19.Can you spell?
Yep
20.Current worries?
Plenty
21.Current hates?
None really.
22.Favourite places to be?
At the computer.
In bed. (with man of choice)
23. Least favourite places to be?
In a room full of dust.
In limbo.
24.Where do you want to go?
To the top.
25.Do you own slippers?
No
26.Where do you think you'll be in 10 years time?
In my strawbale house with no neighbours.
27.Do you burn or tan?
Both
28.Yellow or blue?
Blue
29.Would you give up your current life to be a pirate?
What kind of question is this? No.
30.Last time your cell rang?
Don't have one.
31.What songs do you sing in the shower?
Anything James Morrison
32.What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
Nothing.
33.How much cash do you have on you?
10p.
34.Last thing that made you laugh?
CP's blog about the German Shepherd!
35.Best bed sheets you had as a child?
Candy stripe flannelette ones.
36.Worst injury you have ever had?
Broken nose (twice)
37.Where have you been out of the US?
UK
38.Who is your loudest friend?
None of them are.
39.Who is your most silent friend?
Martyn.
40.Does someone have a crush on you?
Hope so.
41.Do you wish on stars?
Yes.
42. What song did you last hear?
You give me something, by James Morrison
43.What song do you want played at your funeral?
Am not having one.
44.What were you doing at 12.00 last night?
Taking Passiflora drops to help me sleep.
45. First thought upon waking this morning?
It can't be time to get up already.

That was far too long.....
Won't be doing one again!

Got the Sky fixed!

C has the Sky in her room now, as I managed to fix the cable connector bit on my second try today! It is so nice and quiet in the living room now, without all the unwanted chatter from the goggle-box......

Ben showed up today, needing his ID's he had left. No probs, thank goodness!

Britt wants the phone put to incoming calls, but that can't happen till she pays the outstanding bill.A's dad won't answer his phone, so when I go to town next week, I am going to his wife's house to see what's happening. If she calls him from her phone, he may answer, you never know.

I downloaded Paul Mckenna's trance, and found half an hour spare to try it! I don't remember too much, and I am going to do it daily from now on! He has a great voice to relax by. I am still waiting to hear if I can go to the free 2 day NLP seminar October, when mum is in Respite Care. I am also going to Cambridge with LBP, to Daily Bread to stock up on bulk dried food for the winter. I am noticing the difference in my food bill now there are less of us here. Also there is complete silence at night at last. I slept really well last night! It must have just been stress that caused the insomnia I had.

I'd like to say thanks, to the people who helped me with NLP and Homoeopathic remedies. I appreciate you all!

Night....

The day is nearly over........

After not being able to sleep last night, at 3 am I took Passaflora drops....don't know how many, as it was dark in the kitchen! It was either the drops, or getting mum's brandy from her drawer! I noticed that after a while, I tried to move, and my arm just wouldn't budge, and I knew I was going to drift off at long last! Then up at 6.30 with Andrew, and the start of a so busy day, which has knackered me out. First, there was the newly gained bedroom to clear out. The dust was so thick, we could hardly breathe. I found the vacuum wasn't working, so fixed it as it was only a wire out, after lunch. I still have a load of stuff to get out of there, but tomorrow is another day!

Then I had a brainstorm! If I put the Sky that was downstairs, upstairs, I would be able to get Ciara to stop watching so much TV! I am the proud owner of a very loud drill, and used it for the first time today! It is so hard to get a hole in the ceiling, to accurately line-up with the hole in the floor above! Well, I ended up recruiting the bad kids next door to do it...and then found the co-ax plastic thingy had come off the end while between floors, so all I get on Sky in Ciara's room, is, 'Satellite signal not being received'! So, I called Sky to ask about my insurance on the boxes I have. Turns out that I have to call the company first and see if they will cover the repair! That would be great if I could find the details in the stacks of letters laying around here....and he also said that there are scams posing as Sky Insurance. I asked him the number of the plan and he didn't have it. So now I will need to get a new bit for the end of the co-ax and then we will have TV up there!After that I am cancelling the Direct Debit for that company! Long-winded, I know but these are just some of the problems I have encountered today. But, I have made a start on building my new egiftshop, and it will be up and running very soon. Products will range from mystic gifts to the mundane ones, and I have the best prices in town! You can find my domain at www.giftsforalluk.co.uk . So, if you think you need a gift, we'd be happy to help you find one!
My slogan and new signature on all my outgoing emails.
At least with my new host, it will be a breeze to promote without having to pay the earth! With Christmas just around the corner, have a peek, and tell me all positive comments! (you can forget the negative ones)!

I have been having a problem with hijackers on my puter. Anyone else having a prob? Maybe I should change my Anti-virus, so let me know which ones you use, so I can try them out!

Well, my house still looks like a tip, and will do till I finish the work! Have to steam the wallpaper off the walls and re-do all. It will look really lovely when it's finished though, so that's my motivation.....

I wish you a restful night's sleep one and all...
night night, sleep tight.