tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051660288182498612023-11-16T11:04:58.430+00:00Don't worry, be HappyJillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-18842394603067382532016-01-23T22:58:00.001+00:002016-01-23T22:58:07.075+00:00Friday news on Saturday. <div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Friday News time.
Yes, I am aware that it is Saturday! So, I am a day late. I have
been busy and not 100% well and frankly my get up and go, got up and
went around Tuesday. Still waiting for its return. It's 9.45pm and
Simon is watching a film so I have come up to rest in bed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last week, I said
that any future Friday News posts would be positive stories only.
Happy, nice, uplifting stories. I have been looking around to see
what I can find. So here goes.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><b>International.</b></u></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I am well aware that
a big chunk of that country across the pond is suffering a terrible
blizzard right now. Our news reports are full of it. Over 2 feet of
snow in some places. It looks pretty horrendous. But it seems that
there is one little guy who is loving it. Tian Tian, a giant panda
who is a resident of Washington's National zoo is having the best fun
ever. This video certainly put a smile on my face. Just watch him.
That's pleasure right there.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="//players.brightcove.net/3891678522001/4dee84fc-b708-4417-a2e5-f2211c3a8c72_default/index.html?videoId=4718831299001"></iframe>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><b>UK.</b></u></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well! Did nothing
good happen in the UK this week? No happy stories? I am sure there
must have been plenty but after spending an hour searching the
internet, I have come up with a zero. That is not good.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><b>Local. </b></u>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
OK, nothing here
either.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You know what?
Those of you who said positive news would be hard to find were right!
I have spent ages reading rubbish stuff and now I am feeling grotty
so I am going to miss out Entertainment news altogether.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So I don't end up
feeling depressed at my failure, I am going to watch Tian, Tian
again. He is one happy panda.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They say the snow
storm is headed here next week. If it gets as far as us, maybe I
will go out and roll in the snow. Now that would be news worthy!
</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eNjCwIcU0duS_HDKyor-DDsK9M5fAdOTaZURjE0sKG3nHPFDbdAp-clxLt-h7YxpSC9dYrKvlOTT3XftPkNdjrBaKFzJLRZZcTuunX03NUy8D5TQaH3GQU2lnId3RNYGUQehBhyXy2k/s1600/Jilly_smpl101-SSC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eNjCwIcU0duS_HDKyor-DDsK9M5fAdOTaZURjE0sKG3nHPFDbdAp-clxLt-h7YxpSC9dYrKvlOTT3XftPkNdjrBaKFzJLRZZcTuunX03NUy8D5TQaH3GQU2lnId3RNYGUQehBhyXy2k/s320/Jilly_smpl101-SSC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-71944001406462643742016-01-20T10:49:00.000+00:002016-01-20T10:56:57.264+00:00Wednesday Hodgepodge. 20th January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64JTaVXly4s2nTZn1zdIxXrE_kJIfvJwAEcqYnFP0s8_TBTVYLIuwPu7ID3CG4WTbKy4z5dXZ3cRDNqqCaXvN3xpVHGxUcTcX8EZDIZ-8NEIy26KMwypdiWRqOGz4e2cyBubgmkpMJf4/s1600/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64JTaVXly4s2nTZn1zdIxXrE_kJIfvJwAEcqYnFP0s8_TBTVYLIuwPu7ID3CG4WTbKy4z5dXZ3cRDNqqCaXvN3xpVHGxUcTcX8EZDIZ-8NEIy26KMwypdiWRqOGz4e2cyBubgmkpMJf4/s1600/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's
HodgePodge time again. I must be on a roll, I think this is the third
one of these I have done!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Wednesday Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2016/01/a-colorful-hodgepodge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #66ccff;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>From
this side of the pond</b></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pop
over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link
to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's
post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the
list. Have fun.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1.
Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate
over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #6600cc;">It
is at least 15 years since I last went skating. Where we used to
live there was an ice rink just a mile or so away and we occasionally
took our children. Not often as it was too expensive with 5
children. We went there for birthday treats and the like. I am not
bad, I can stay upright! As a child I used to enjoy roller skating.
Do you remember the metal skates, the ones that had the wing nut in
the middle to adjust the size and they fitted over your shoes? I had
those. No plastic boot styles for us. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2.
What would you say is the biggest problem of people your
age?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">Staying fit and healthy. I
think when you get to your middle and later years you can't take
things for granted the way you did when you were younger. The body
no longer deals with excess so well! If you want to live to a good
age then you have to get serious about taking care of yourself.
That is my main concern. I suspect that for a lot of people the
problem is more about money. Will they ever have enough to retire?
How will they manage? Retirement is a big issue for many. My OH
retired from teaching back in July last year and so far we are doing
fine, with every aspect! We haven't got on each others nerves, too
much…….Yet!</span><span style="color: #6600cc;"><br />
</span><br />
3.
What's your favourite accessory? Is it something you wear every day,
often, or only on special occasions?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">Well
if we are talking every day then it has to be my rings and my
earrings. I have 4 rings that I never take off. My engagement ring,
wedding ring, eternity ring and another ring which OH got me on our
30</span><span style="color: #6600cc;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="color: #6600cc;">
wedding anniversary. All 4 are permanent fixtures. The earrings are
gold, creole, hoops and were my Mum's. Another accessory I like but
don't wear daily are scarves. I have a fair size collection. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">4.
January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day Are you a lover of
cheese? What's your favourite dish made with cheese? Last thing you
ate that contained some kind of cheese?<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">Who
comes up with all these “days”? It is so random. I don't dislike
cheese but I am not a big lover. I like soft cheeses more than
harder ones. Brie is my favourite. I prefer milder cheese to strong
cheese. My OH likes strong </span><span style="color: #6600cc;">C</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">heddar
but that is a bit much for me. I </span><span style="color: #6600cc;">h</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">ate
blue cheese and don't get me started on Parmesan which I think smells
like sick!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #6600cc;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
do like homemade lasagne which we have really cheesy. Last time I had
cheese was one day last week when we had homemade courgette
(zucchini) soup with a dollop of soft cream cheese stirred in. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">5.
What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">Middle
aged women in leggings and cropped tops with their belly on show,
hanging over the top! Saw one just the other day and it was gross.
Don't get me wrong, I am not totally against this mode of dress but
there is a time and place and it isn't a look that I feel is
appropriate in the local supermarket. I also think you need to have
the body for it. I do come down on the side of “if you’ve got
it, why not flaunt it”? On the other hand if you haven't “got
it” best keep it hidden! I haven't “got it”!</span><span style="color: #6600cc;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">6.
Your favourite book series?<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">As
a child I was a massive bookworm and devoured everything I could get
my hands on. This continued through my teenage years and into
adulthood. Recently, not so much. I read every day but short
articles, not often whole books. Something I intend to remedy this
year. Consequently I can't think of a recent favourite series. When
I was a child, I loved all of Enid Blyton</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">'</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">s
books and my favourite series was the Mallory Towers books. The
ones about the antics of girls at a boarding school. Then of course
there was the </span><span style="color: #6600cc;">F</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">amous
Five series and the </span><span style="color: #6600cc;">S</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">ecret
</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">Seven</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">.
I LOVED </span><span style="color: #6600cc;">those</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">
books.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">7.
Why did you choose your profession?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6600cc;">I
have never had a profession unless you count housewife and Mum which
actually in my opinion equals any profession you care to name. When
I was doing my final year at school, I wanted to be a nursery nurse.
I wanted to do the NNEB course at college. My parents and the head
teacher of my school had other ideas. Back in those days any kind of
nursing was for girls who were less academic. The less clever girls.
The head and my parents thought that I was capable of more. I
didn't want more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #6600cc;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Long
story short, I left school and got a job. Initially for a few months
just as a supermarket cashier. Then I got work as a clerical
assistant at Her Majesty's Land Registry. I loved that job and
worked my way up to clerical officer and then executive officer.
Then I got married and moved away and a year later the first of my
children arrived. Since then I have had various jobs for short
periods, ranging from office work, shop work, waitressing and even
cleaning. My last job was as an exams officer and invigilator in my
OH's school. I haven't worked for about 10 years now. I have been
very lucky, that I have never HAD to work. It has always just been
for a bit of extra money, not to pay bills. No, we are not wealthy,
we have just learnt to manage our money very well.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">8.
Insert your own random thought here. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #6600cc;">I
really must get off the internet and go get on with the ironing! </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><span style="color: #6600cc;"><span style="font-family: "ar carter";"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><span style="color: #6600cc;"><span style="font-family: "ar carter";"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><span style="color: #6600cc;"><span style="font-family: "ar carter";"><i><b>J</b></i></span></span><span style="color: #6600cc;"><span style="font-family: "ar carter";"><i><b>ILLY</b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "ar carter";"><span style="font-size: 96pt;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-48756112176478081122016-01-18T23:57:00.002+00:002016-01-18T23:57:22.760+00:00Loulou<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Today we are remembering our beautiful girlie Loulou who we lost last year. Miss her so much. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3cOkP-P_zXXZvweus_kg0O2ExUMrY520_kIuJUg62v-7IJt3N8aqAXglVP6_cD1MUJ2IA3qLzmRMM0ChrJNQ7h1h1cLklaRe3AvndSjIWb-Cp22ZbjLSnHhrb_dmV8wDFHgHJbgp-QA/s1600/Loulou+9th+Jan+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3cOkP-P_zXXZvweus_kg0O2ExUMrY520_kIuJUg62v-7IJt3N8aqAXglVP6_cD1MUJ2IA3qLzmRMM0ChrJNQ7h1h1cLklaRe3AvndSjIWb-Cp22ZbjLSnHhrb_dmV8wDFHgHJbgp-QA/s320/Loulou+9th+Jan+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Loulou 28-03-2000 - 18-01-2015</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Rip Baby. </span></b></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-49815819807286769132016-01-17T07:00:00.000+00:002016-01-17T07:00:07.609+00:00Update on the challenge I started<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Who
remembers my blog about the Challenge? A sort of</span><span style="color: black;">
self improvement </span><span style="color: black;">thingy
that I supposedly started on the third of January.</span><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">It
was </span><span style="color: black;">inspired
by </span><span style="color: black;">my
friend Melanie and</span><span style="color: black;">
2 Facebook posts currently doing the rounds.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">See
them here if you are interested:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://brightside.me/article/how-to-change-your-life-for-the-better-in-just-one-month-505"><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>http://brightside.me/article/how-to-change-your-life-for-the-better-in-just-one-month-505</u></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">/<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/12/52-fun-things-try-a-new-one-each-week-of-the-year/"><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/12/52-fun-things-try-a-new-one-each-week-of-the-year/</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
promised an update so here it is, for what it is worth. The word
fail is in my head!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><b>Week
1. Purifying the body and mind</b></u></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 0.34cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Step
1 - Get up earlier. </b>
My
goal was actually to
make sure that my light is off by midnight and
that
I was
up by
8.30. I
did manage to stick to this for the whole of week 1 but week 2 has
seen me slip back to reading, browsing etc. until the wee hours. So
little time during the day. I can't say that I noticed any real
difference in a few more hours of sleep because I didn't really
sleep anyway. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b style="color: black;">Step
2 – Better nutrition. </b> My goal here was to try to eat
more light, healthy but nutritious meals and they needed to be easy
to make, quick to cook and relatively cheap. I wanted to try a new
recipe each week. I did actually do this on week one. I cooked
Mujaddara which is a kind of pilaf made from rice and lentils. It
isn't particularly light, but it is nutritious, healthy, cheap and
easy to do. It was OK but could do with being a bit spicer. I might
make this again. Find the recipe <a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/5699937006629159/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">here</span></b></a></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Step
3 – Sport I.E. Exercise</b>. I am going to try and incorporate some
simple stretches into my day. BIG fail here, it simply didn't
happen. Lack of time I think. I did keep to my 10,000 steps
everyday though and actually lost 2lbs. (8stone 10lbs now).</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Now
to the list of 52 new things to try. The idea is obviously one a week
for a year.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Week
1. Write a handwritten note </b>and post it to someone you haven’t
been in touch with for a while.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Another
big fail. I did not write a letter. I have decided who I am going
to write too though so that is positive. Just need to stop
procrastinating and just do it. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
all in all not the best of starts! I haven't even looked at the week
2 goals and it is nearly week 3. I'll take a quick peek now…………</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Clean
up your personal space. This one is about de-cluttering and getting
rid of unnecessary “stuff”. I think I can put a tick against
this one. I am pretty good at doing this anyway and the last few
weeks I have had a bit of a purge on several things. I have gone
through all our DVDs CDs and books and have sold a lot of them on
Ziffit.com to raise money for 3CDR. I have also sorted out all of
our shoes and boots and winter coats and jackets and lots have gone
so I am happy that I have a result here. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sort
out your personal business. This is about completing those promises
that you have made to yourself but not got around to doing anything
about. The author says that you either fulfil them or strike them
from your list forever. I have been promising myself that I will
find the time to really learn how my Cricut machine works and what I
can actually do with it. I think I can put a tick here too as I have
managed to have several sessions on it this week. I have also made a
note for next week to prioritise time for this. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sort
out your social life. This one is about surrounding yourself with
positivity and so ditching those friends and acquaintances that make
you feel depressed and miserable with their negativity. Learning how
to say no. Not sure what I could have done here as my friends are
not like that anyway. Maybe the best thing to do here is to just be
kind and offer a smile to anyone I meet. I shall try to carry that
on to next week. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 100%;">And
lastly from the </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 100%;">52 Week list</b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 100%;">: Make someone a birthday or
celebration cake. It was little Jackson's 3</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 100%;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 100%;"> birthday
this week but my cake making skills are nowhere near Verity's as she
makes cakes for a living. So another fail! I might carry this over
to next week and make a cake for everyone at the kennels to celebrate
Beanies birthday.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To
be honest, I have realised that this is not a good challenge for me.
It is just another pressure and more things on the never ending to do
list. So I am ditching it. There will be no further updates. What
I am going to do is to keep an eye on that 52 week list and try and
do some of those. A new thing each week is a lot more doable. I
think it also needs to be something new. Trying out new things and
getting a little outside of your comfort zone has to be good. </span></span></span>
</div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-28589162866171553192016-01-15T22:49:00.000+00:002016-01-15T22:49:11.762+00:00Friday News - 15th January<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">So
it's Friday again and I am giving Wendy's Friday </span><span style="color: #333333;">N</span><span style="color: #333333;">ews
another go. You may remember last week that I had trouble with the
sport category as I simply don't “get” sport! This week I am
scrapping sport in favour of UK news. This will be in addition to
</span><span style="color: #333333;">I</span><span style="color: #333333;">nternational.
Let's go…….</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333;"><u><b>International.</b></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><u><b><br />
</b></u></span><span style="color: #333333;">The
international story which I have noticed today is that of the medical
trials in France that have gone so badly wrong. Apparently the drug
trial was in phase one which is where a tiny dose is given to healthy
people to test for side effects. One man has been declared brain
dead and 5 more have suffered permanent brain damage. It is being
said that the drug being tested was derived from cannabis but it is
not clear what the eventual drug would be used for. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">This
is truly horrible. I know that we need new drugs for all kinds of
conditions and at some point they must run trials with real people
but that means there is always going to be the potential for this
kind of tragedy. For the record, I am totally against animal
testing. Apart from the often cruel way the animals are treated and
the pain and suffering they endure, I cannot see any logic in it at
all. Every single animal is different to us so how testing on a
mouse, or a dog, or a monkey has any bearing in what a drug will do
to a human is beyond me. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><b><span style="color: #333333;">U</span><span style="color: #333333;">K.</span></b></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">Apparently
we have a British astronaut in space! Who knew? Not me! He is
called Tim Peake and today he was doing a space walk with another
astronaut to repair an electrical box. Simon has the news on and
this came up whilst I was typing. It would seem the space walk has
had to end early as the American astronaut had water inside his
helmet which is not a good thing it would seem. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">Can
you tell that I am not overly enthralled with space stuff? I guess
some of it is interesting but I am afraid that I think we need to put
our house in order here on Earth before we start worrying about
what’s out there. So much money is spent that could be spent on
better things. Just an opinion of course. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">I
commented to Simon just now that I had no idea that there was
currently a Brit up there in space and he said how could you have
missed that? Easily. I try really hard to not watch or listen to
the news. It is so often depressing, half of it is totally
fabricated, they only tell us what they want to tell us which is not
always the truth, plus I simply do not have the time for anything
that doesn't interest me. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">Another</span><b><span style="color: #333333;">
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">cousin
of mine, Pat, posted on her FB page today how sad she was at the
death of Alan Rickman. I thought she had just lost a friend. It
soon became apparent from the comments that this was not a friend but
a celebrity. I had to ask her who he was and got told to wash my
mouth out! I think she couldn't believe that I didn’t know. I
hardly ever watch TV and haven't the patience to sit through a film,
and I have zero interest in “celebrities” so consequently I never
know who anyone is. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Local.</b></span></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">The
local news buzzing around the nearby town of Bourne is that a well
established and loved gift shop is to close to make way for a new
pub. A Wetherspoon</span><span style="color: #333333;">'</span><span style="color: #333333;">s
pub, which is a big chain here in the UK. The general feeling seems
to be that there are enough pubs in the town anyway and we don't need
more and also that the big chain type establishments ruin the image
of the country market town. I tend to agree. There is already a
big chain pub as you enter the town but this new one would be right
in the middle of the main high street. </span><span style="color: #333333;">However,</span><span style="color: #333333;">
it could help bring more custom into the Three Counties Dog Rescue
charity shop which is just a 100 yards or so further along. Now that
would be good. </span><span style="color: #333333;">
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u><b>Entertainment.</b></u></span><br />
</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">I
guess the big news story this week is the death of David Bowie. Yes
I had heard of him! Not a fan though. I am continually surprised
by how the death of a celebrity apparently causes so mu</span><span style="color: #333333;">c</span><span style="color: #333333;">h
distress to so many people. It is sad when anyone dies,
particular</span><span style="color: #333333;">ly</span><span style="color: #333333;">
when that person is no great age, but I don't understand why it would
cause such upset if you didn't know him personally. I am also
rather taken aback by some of the tributes. </span><span style="color: #333333;">I
quote: </span><span style="color: #333333;"><b>“</b></span><span style="color: #404040;"><b>Singer
David Bowie, one of the biggest stars and most influential musicians
of his era, has died of cancer at the age of 69.” </b></span><span style="color: #333333;">
Was he really that big and that influential? Perhaps I missed
something? He wasn't ever really on my radar. I was a teeny bopper
and massive Donny Osmond fan.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u><b>Miscellaneous.</b></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><u><br />
</u></span><span style="color: #333333;">My
misc news is that today is my little grandson, Jackson's 3</span><span style="color: #333333;"><sup>rd</sup></span><span style="color: #333333;">
birthday. 3 years ago today he was born at just 28 weeks and he lay
in an incubator whilst we stood by helplessly. He has come such a
long way since then and today he was going bowling with Mummy and
Daddy. So very, very proud of him. Happy 3</span><span style="color: #333333;"><sup>rd</sup></span><span style="color: #333333;">
birthday Jackson.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">Here is a photo of me and Jackson.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333;">Well
those are my 5 bits of news. I said earlier that I find the news
depressing. </span><span style="color: #333333;">If
I do this next week, I am going </span><span style="color: #333333;">to
seek out positive, happy stories. Maybe I can even find something
that really interest me!</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br />
Friday
news was the idea of my cousin Wendy. Why not join in. It would
be very interesting to read what is going on in your area and maybe
we could open discussions on some of the topics. </span></span></span>
</div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-52454016586497551112016-01-13T23:52:00.001+00:002016-01-13T23:52:40.153+00:00Wednesday Hodgepodge 13-01-2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz28haStCWO92xxHfVnLfq-DSw3rcCO9Dw5bwvR2DJx30MheZsW5_s3NbfC7MesA_Xw2hRCJijCBMjUxC7Aoa5o-m5zK2-LrGNVK3NiV7x3NwZRhNzqq1rdVRqHQKqyvJxVa6iuvNF3R0/s1600/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz28haStCWO92xxHfVnLfq-DSw3rcCO9Dw5bwvR2DJx30MheZsW5_s3NbfC7MesA_Xw2hRCJijCBMjUxC7Aoa5o-m5zK2-LrGNVK3NiV7x3NwZRhNzqq1rdVRqHQKqyvJxVa6iuvNF3R0/s1600/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Going
to have a go at joining in the Hodge Podge again. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Wednesday's
Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2016/01/a-colorful-hodgepodge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">From
this side of the pond</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Pop
over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link
to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's
post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the
list.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Have
fun</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">1.
Share one thing that really makes your day.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #009999;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Blue
sky and preferably sun. Not much chance of that happening here any
time soon</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br />
2.
Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found </span></span></span><a href="http://thesundaychapter.com/2016/01/15-most-colorful-places-in-the-world/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">here</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> says
the fifteen most colourful places on earth are: Vernazza, Cinque
Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero,
Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton,
France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato,
Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San
Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil. <br />
Of
those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person?
Of all the places you've seen or travelled in your own life, what
would you say was one of the most colourful?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #009999;">That
depends on what you mean by colourful? Does that actually refer to
colours or colourful as in what goes on there? I have been to France
and to San Francisco. France can be very colourful in summer when
there are fields and fields full of giant sunflowers. San Francisco
is colourful in its eclectic mix of people and cultures.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br />
3."Everything
you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield In
general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why? <br />
<span style="color: #009999;">I
</span><span style="color: #009999;">think in certain circumstances it can be
true. Sometimes you need to conquer your fears and if you can then
the end result will be positive. However, I pretty much have
everything I need right now so I have to disagree. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br />
4.
Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and dessert appears...what
do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is
desert and which is dessert?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #009999;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
know how to spell both words and do not get confused over them. I
would choose Malteser cheesecake with a dollop of double cream and a
dollop of clotted cream! I LOVE my cream!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br />
5.
What song almost always makes you cry?<br />
<span style="color: #009999;">I
am really not mush into music But the Vera Lynn song “we'll meet
again” was sung at both of my parents funerals and I can't hear it
or even think about it with out being totally wretched. Tears
running down my face right now!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br />
6.
January is National Soup Month. Everything from soup to
nuts, in the soup,thick as pea soup, souped up...which
saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain. <span style="color: #009999;">Who
on earth comes up with these “months” Why soup month? How
totally bizarre. I have never heard of any of those expressions and
</span><span style="color: #009999;">t</span><span style="color: #009999;">hey don't
sound like they would be relevant to my life at all. </span><span style="color: #009999;"> </span><br />
7.
Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #009999;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Be
happy. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br />
8.
Insert your own random thought here.<span style="color: #009999;"> </span><span style="color: #009999;">They
keep saying that it is going to get colder towards the end of the
month. They forecast snow today but we haven't seen any. I HATE
winter. Roll on spring. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-73419420456939324942016-01-08T10:22:00.002+00:002016-01-08T10:23:41.104+00:00Friday Five - In the news<span style="font-size: large;">I needed inspiration so I am copying Wendy's idea which is to choose 5 news stories that have caught my eye this week. There are 5 categories. You'll get the idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The only problem with this is that I try very hard to avoid the news! We do not get a newspaper and I do not watch it on the TV if I can help it. I see snippets whist I am on the Internet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">International.</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b>
Not sure if Scotland counts as International? They are independent of us and you do cross a border to enter Scotland albeit just a sign on the road side. (No men in kilts playing bagpipes)!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, this is the story that I first heard this morning and it is all over our news. Yet another river has burst its banks causing terrible destruction and misery. This time it is the river Don in Aberdeenshire which broke its banks overnight. Many residents had to be evacuated from their homes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can only try to imagine what it must be like to be in this situation. It must be very scary to watch as the water gets higher and higher and finally enters your home. The damage and mess left behind once the water recedes is devastating.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We seem to be seeing these scenes more and more here in the UK. It seems that it is getting wetter here. We could debate all day on why that maybe. Global warming? Who really knows? It is a solution that everyone is more interested in. Well we can't stop it raining, if only! So we have to do something to stop the flooding. There is much talk about our flood defences and river dredging and the like. I don't know too much about it. What I do know is permission is still regularly granted for new homes to be built on flood plain land and that can't help can it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately for me, although we live in the Fens, most of which is at or below sea level; our house is slightly uphill so it would be very unlikely to flood. That said if there was to be a massive tidal surge on the coast....... In fact Lincolnshire County Council has recently spent a ton of money erecting escape route signs!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrYkYDCUocKnmBO9pY4el65m1zx9iX46eg1iDsTTx_TGmnSu3fViVM3JAtMAIVroW0xvhXbh9WwrDAELcVNad_DN0L_2m43GQ2IT9xcKUCvfVcbt5j_Cg4ghSGRNEA4Y91BAbFLoGlFc/s1600/ER-sig_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrYkYDCUocKnmBO9pY4el65m1zx9iX46eg1iDsTTx_TGmnSu3fViVM3JAtMAIVroW0xvhXbh9WwrDAELcVNad_DN0L_2m43GQ2IT9xcKUCvfVcbt5j_Cg4ghSGRNEA4Y91BAbFLoGlFc/s1600/ER-sig_300.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was quite funny actually as they erected all the signs before telling people what they mean so much guessing was going on! This is the sign. They are designed to lead people away from the lower coastal towns to the higher ground of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Spalding which is about 15 miles from us is at particular risk of tidal flooding. It is inland but the river runs out to the Sea on the East coast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Local.</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There doesn't seem to be anything happening in my village this week or even in the nearby town of Bourne. There is an interesting story for Stamford though. (Stamford is about 15 miles away so at least the Merikans will think it is local)! They are reviving the ancient tradition of Wassailing. This originated in the British cider making districts and traditionally took place on the 17th of January (the old 12th night). The purpose of wassailing is to awaken the apple trees and by scaring away the evil spirits, encourage the tress to fruit well in the coming year. Stamford is holding a Wassail this Saturday at the community orchard. Perhaps I should do the same here to see if I can encourage my one apple tree!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Sport.</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no interest in sport at all so any news simply won't be on my radar. I shall scrap this category next week if I do Friday News again. For today my sport news is...... drum roll please..... Fitbit have a new fitness tracker coming out! The Fitness Blaze is due for release in March and I want one! I currently have a Fitbit Charge which is brilliant and it has got me moving. The Fitbit Blaze has a colour screen and measures exercise too. Plus it comes in purple and you can make the screen pink!!! Need I say more?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Entertainment.</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b>
The BBC "The Voice" programme starts again this Saturday. I know this because there are constant trailers for it on the BBC. I have never watched this as I am not really into these talent show things. If you don't know "The Voice", it has a slightly different format to begin with as the judges can't see the contestants so they base their decision on the voice alone and not on appearances. That has to be a good thing? Remember the Susan Boyle story? That was Britain's Got Talent. All 4 judges and the audience were discarding her the minute she walked on to the stage.......until she opened her mouth. Simon Cowell's shock was visible. Trouble is with these sort of programmes is they seem to offer nothing more than a few minutes of fame. Very few of the contestants or even winners go on to be stars.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Miscellaneous.</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b>
Apparently our government have had a review on alcohol consumption and are about to revise the guidelines on safe drinking limits. They are basically saying that there is NO safe limit and that you should always have 2 alcohol free days a week and no more than 1 unit for women and 3 for men. So, what happened to the claim that red wine is good for you? HMMM.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There 5 bits of news. If I do this next week, I am going to scrap sport. I shall have International, UK, Local, entertainment and Misc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday news was the idea of my cousin Wendy. Why not join in. It would be very interesting to read what is going on in your area and maybe we could open discussions on some of the topics. I would love to know what you think is the cause of the change in our weather. Now if only I could get blogger to let me comment. Stupid thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-63023579955477226162016-01-03T21:38:00.000+00:002016-01-03T21:46:23.562+00:00Week One of "The Challenge"<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Oh
dear, seems I am already behind with the blogging. I need
inspiration and motivation. One of my old blogging friends, Melanie,
is doing a sort of self improvement challenge. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">She
was inspired by 2 Facebook posts currently doing the rounds. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I
have decided to join her as it may just help me get my blogging mojo
back. Can't hurt to try anyway.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">See
them here if you are interested:</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://brightside.me/article/how-to-change-your-life-for-the-better-in-just-one-month-505"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><u>http://brightside.me/article/how-to-change-your-life-for-the-better-in-just-one-month-505</u></span></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">/</span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><br />
<br />
</span><a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/12/52-fun-things-try-a-new-one-each-week-of-the-year/"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/12/52-fun-things-try-a-new-one-each-week-of-the-year/</span></span></a></span></b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">
</span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">The
first link promises “4 weeks, 12 steps and in just 1 month you
won't recognise yourself”! A very bold statement. Sounds good to
me and it can't hurt to try. So….</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><u><b>Week
1. Purifying the body and mind</b></u></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><b>Step
1 </b>- <b>G</b><b>et up earlier. </b>The author suggests 6am. Now
I don't know about you but that is the middle of the night as far as
I am concerned! However I can see her logic that if you give
yourself more time at the start of the day then you should have more
time to get stuff done and that includes “me” time. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">She
also says that often we are not actually tired so much as lethargic
and fed up. I think that is true. I am not a morning person. I like
my bed. I think part of my problem is that I do not go to sleep
early enough. I am usually in bed before midnight but because I find
it so difficult to get to sleep I have my light on until at least
2am. I read and use my computer. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I
am going to adapt this step to my own needs. So I am going to try
and make sure that my light is off by midnight. I will try to be up
by 8.30. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><b>S</b><b>tep
2 – </b><b>Better nutrition.</b> This is a no brainer. The
message is basically to ditch the junk and allow our bodies to
recover. The ultimate aim is a fit and healthy body. Well we all
want that don't we? I think I eat fairly healthily most of the time.
I have lost a lot of weight over the last year so I am pretty good
about portion sizes. However we have just had Christmas and New Year
and a daughters 30<sup>th</sup> birthday celebrations and I have
stuffed myself with all kinds of rubbish. No wonder that I feel
slow, heavy and lethargic. My energy didn’t just get up and go I
chased it away with all the rubbish I have fed it. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I
need to try to eat more light, healthy but nutritious meals and they
need to be easy to make, quick to cook and relatively cheap. I am
going to try and make one new meal this week that fulfils this
criteria.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><b>Step
3 – Sport I.E. Exercise</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Hmm,
me and sport do not compute. Computer says “NO”. Merikans
probably won't get that joke. I am already getting my 10,000 steps a
day (mostly). So how to try and do this step? I need to increase
my flexibility so I am going to try and incorporate some simple
stretches into my day.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Now
to that 2<sup>nd</sup> link. This is a list of 52 new things to try.
The idea is obviously one a week for a year. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><b>Week
1. Write
a handwritten note and post it to someone you haven’t been in touch
with for a while.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I
can't really remember the last time I wrote a personal letter. I
mean occasionally I have written a letter to my bank, but a letter to
a known person? Not in an age. Actually letters to the bank are not
handwritten and this specifically says handwritten.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I
am going to have to give this some thought as I can't think right now
who would most like to receive a letter. This sort of comes under
the heading of a random act of kindness. I like that.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">So
to recap; this week I shall be properly in bed and attempting sleep
by midnight and up to greet the day by 8.30am. I shall do some
stretching exercises, cook one new meal and write a letter using a
pen! Quite how all this will help with my blogiing mojo, I have no
clue! </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Like
my friend Melanie, I will update you next Sunday. Fell free to join
in. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Melanie
s blog is here:<b> <a href="http://chovblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/week-one-of-challenge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">h</span><span style="color: purple;">ttp://chovblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/week-one-of-challenge.html</span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-18024794926332396512016-01-02T01:00:00.000+00:002016-01-02T12:13:01.040+00:002nd January 2016Well Christmas is over and New Year has gone so that is all done and dusted for another year. Only 357 days until we get to do it all again!<br />
<br />
I was looking at some of my blog statistics today. The last 2 years have been rubbish. I managed just 28 last year and about 38 in 2014. I used to love blogging so much and more or less never missed a day. It seemed to all go downhill when we moved 4 years ago.<br />
<br />
It isn't that I don't want to blog. It is simple lack of time. I never have enough hours in my day and right now I often have other things that I prefer to do.<br />
<br />
However, I do miss the people that I used to interact with. I am now only in regular touch with 2 of my old bloggy friends which is such a shame. <br />
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So, I know I have said it before, but I am going to try and give it another go. I'm not promising daily blogs or even weekly blogs but I am going to try to be here more often. If I have time and it suits me. I'll see.<br />
<br />
Right now I am snuggled up in bed with Beanie. I have my cosy PJ's on and I am waiting for Simon to come up with a drink. It has been a great start to the New Year for us with all our family together in Peterborough to celebrate Saskia's 30th birthday.<br />
<br />
We went to Bella Italia which was ok. I am not a fan of Italian food but everyone else seemed really pleased with their meals. We had a wonderful time. I'll post a few photos when I get up.<br />
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Ok time for bed now as it is really late. Be back soon hopefully!<br />
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<br />Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-39811135271990510712016-01-01T18:23:00.000+00:002016-01-01T18:23:46.256+00:00Welcome 2016Well here we are. I hope that by now we have all all arrived safely in 2016. My daughter commented yesterday that she always feels sad as the year closes. I think the opposite. We must be happy that we have made it through and that we have another year stretching ahead. I find it exciting. So many possibilities lie ahead.<br />
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Those who know me will already know that they will not be finding resolutions here. I don't do those. There is nothing magical about the 1st of January. If you want to start something, well just get on and start it. Want to make changes? Well do it. Start right away. It doesn't matter what the date is.<br />
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I do have hopes and plans for the year ahead. Here are a few:<br />
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Our biggie which I am so excited for is our youngest sons wedding in August. <br />
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We want to get away more in Tallulah this year. Maybe even venture abroad in her.<br />
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I want to progress with my various crafts and maybe learn some new ones. I must get to grips with my Cricut.<br />
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I want to make sure that I stay healthy and maintain last years weight loss. <br />
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We want to see as much as possible of family and friends. That is more important than anything else.<br />
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There are loads more things in my head too. I can't list them all but I expect you get the idea. My plan is basically to take care of myself and of those around me. To be happy and busy and simply grateful for every new day. <br />
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I will remember that today is the only day that I have.<br />
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In the words of Mother Theresa "Let us begin".<br />
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<br />Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-1963201270951025002016-01-01T09:33:00.000+00:002016-01-01T09:35:42.835+00:00I wish you all Enough<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough love in your heart, and enough communion with your soul.</b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough light to illuminate your lessons, and enough dark to integrate your wisdom.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough giving to open your heart, and enough receiving to bring you home.</b></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'MV Boli'; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough activity to sharpen your mind and strengthen your body, and enough rest to bring you peace.</b></div>
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><b style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright, no matter how grey the day.</b></span><br />
<b style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'MV Boli'; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough rain to nourish your garden and to appreciate the sun more.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough gentle wind to lift your hair and your dreams</b></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough storms to clear away the old and make room for the new.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough dirt to grow your herbs and flowers and to keep your feet firmly on the ground.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough clouds in the sky to inspire you to reach beyond them.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough birds in flight to delight your eyes and enough birdsong to serenade your ears.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you enough kisses and cuddles with children and animals to bring you simple joy.</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'MV Boli'; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough friendship to remind you that you are not alone.</b></div>
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><b style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and ever lasting.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.</b></div>
<b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.</b></div>
</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'MV Boli'; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough starlight to inspire your imagination and enough moonlight to stir your soul.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><b style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MV Boli;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 15pt;">I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: 15pt;"><b>I wish you ENOUGH.</b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #990099;"><span style="font-family: MV Boli;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-34142648747709620242016-01-01T00:10:00.000+00:002016-01-01T09:03:58.183+00:00Out with the old and in with the new.<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well here we all are
on the cusp of another new year. It is 23.31 here in the UK so not
long now. I can hear some fireworks already although they are
distant. Probably at the far end of the village where there are more
houses. I am writing this in bed, in the dark, with a little
grandson fast asleep next to me. I hope the fireworks do not wake
him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is little Morra,
Saskia's son, who is having his first ever sleepover on his own. He
has obviously stayed here lots of times but never without Mummy and
Daddy. They are currently having a few days in London to celebrate
Saskia's 30<sup>th</sup> birthday which was yesterday. I have no
idea how she can possibly be 30. That is 4 of my 5 children now in
their thirties. I am of course still sticking with 46!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Those of you that
know me will know that I don't really celebrate new year. As far as
I am concerned it is just another date on the calender and doesn't
mean much. It is the simple passage of time, nothing more or less.
The 2<sup>nd</sup> of January is as much a new day as the 1<sup>st</sup>.
Every single day is a day to start afresh.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Despite the lack of
any celebrations, like most people I do take some time to reflect on
the outgoing year. So I thought for this blog tonight I could do a
quick rehash of 2015. I have hardly blogged at all so you will have
all missed out on what I have been up to.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The year got off to
the worst possible start when our Loulou died on the 18<sup>th</sup>
of January. This was followed within hours by the devastating news
of the fire at the kennels where we do volunteer work. Three precious
doggies were lost that night along with the reception building.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Much of our spare
time this year has been spent working with the other volunteers to
rebuild and move on from that dreadful night.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">January had one
bright point when our Beanie came to live with us. He is a Saffy /
English Bullie Cross and he has given us so much joy this year.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">February saw us take
our first overnight trip In Tallulah our camper van. Since then we
have had lots of day trips and weekends and 4 extended holidays
including visiting Scotland for the first time. We also had a lovely
family weekend with 2 of my cousins, my sister and some of our
children.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In May Simon
celebrated his 60th birthday with a big gathering of family and
friends. The weather was lovely. He also made the decision that it
was time to say goodbye to teaching and he did his last day on the
17<sup>th</sup> of July. He officially retired on the 31<sup>st</sup>
of August and he is LOVING it.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">September was a busy
month with celebrations on the 10<sup>th</sup> for Sam and Lisa's
10<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary. It was also the month that we
became the owners of a second house. That was a biggie as the income
from that has made living on a pension a lot easier.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">October saw Coralie
finally heading off to Tanzania to do her cycle ride in aid of womens
cancer charities. She raised over £4000. We are incredibly proud
of her.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In November Three
Counties Dog Rescue opened a charity shop in Bourne and we have been
heavily involved with that. It has been hard work but very exciting.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">December and the
lead up to Christmas was all quite calm and stress free and we were
lucky to have a wonderful Christmas and to enjoy the company of our
children and grandchildren. Since then, things have not been good
as our eldest daughter Coralie has once again found herself back in
hospital. We are crossing our fingers for better health for her in
2016.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My biggest
achievement of the year is my weight loss but it is now officially
2016 so I think that has to be another blog. Suffice to say 2015 was
the year that I lost over 4 stones in weight! Go me!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 100%;">Time to say
goodnight I think and time to snuggle up with my little one. I do
wish you all a very Happy New Year and many blessings for 2016.
Above all I hope that it is a peaceful one and as always I wish you
“ENOUGH”.</span><br />
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-82781976858205627522015-12-20T22:54:00.000+00:002015-12-20T22:54:29.191+00:00Making Christmas wreaths.Last Sunday I did a mini course with Coralie (my daughter, for anyone who doesn't know me) We each made a needle felted Christmas wreath.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The course was held in Peterborough, in the basement of a lovely shop which I had never seen before, called Art in the Heart. If you are ever in Peterborough, stop by as they have some fabulous goodies. I could have spent a fortune but luckily for me, (or rather Simon), we arrived just as the course was starting and by the time it ended the shop was closing.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Despite the fact that Coralie claims she had told me it was needle felting, I was under the impression that we were making bog standard wreaths with foliage, pine cones and berries. You know the kind of thing. You can pick them up in the supermarket for about £15. Once I realised what we were actually doing the cost made more sense.</div>
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To be honest I wasn't sure what to think as I have never tried needle felting. It turned out to be a brilliant afternoon with my daughter and we both enjoyed it very much. There were only 4 of us and the tutor, Eve Marshall, was excellent. It tuns out that she lives a few villages away from me and she does lots of classes so I may have another go in the new year. </div>
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Having never done any needle felting I was a little apprehensive as to how it would turn out and if I could actually get it done in time. Well, I am actually thrilled with what I produced. A bright, colourful wreath complete with a Robin (my favourite bird) and I made it all myself! Here's a few photo's </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPa3rS3lCoFraw1_NBup4SH94WEkuBkLndf02rw4loJBcwpmwNHa86lhoCRvi9ABytg4LZdUZU_6Rm0E9YRM3L4BcvJ-_fD2ooiUGSTpiJ0QWEBViDLaX4D6fFJkPTaAdyxU6S20Zfls/s1600/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPa3rS3lCoFraw1_NBup4SH94WEkuBkLndf02rw4loJBcwpmwNHa86lhoCRvi9ABytg4LZdUZU_6Rm0E9YRM3L4BcvJ-_fD2ooiUGSTpiJ0QWEBViDLaX4D6fFJkPTaAdyxU6S20Zfls/s320/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%252810%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowwkoBx8RAHt0iA2VKXaESFgYsHx0LsTkPbB9uDwlgxmKfgJPOkCrf0iMBjoJnb10_VggDyLS8aOLtLrE_4qn9EpI_Wcm8ZGGccEcSdncMfiyy_0x33ffmD30yRq80VfTrnN5tLGHLTY/s1600/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowwkoBx8RAHt0iA2VKXaESFgYsHx0LsTkPbB9uDwlgxmKfgJPOkCrf0iMBjoJnb10_VggDyLS8aOLtLrE_4qn9EpI_Wcm8ZGGccEcSdncMfiyy_0x33ffmD30yRq80VfTrnN5tLGHLTY/s320/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25284%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohyMNn1tdPbsmdqiaN1uAaa-h6lKfSO8R1Qz5t8CiUc2lPxGXeBN1F6aQL60-P3xfDu8rpLXITzUzNM8vM-9GoAEPm0uK1EUTzedRLNXvd7mAsMHla9xsYdBfXCL4dJB7HoAmOKJy7SY/s1600/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohyMNn1tdPbsmdqiaN1uAaa-h6lKfSO8R1Qz5t8CiUc2lPxGXeBN1F6aQL60-P3xfDu8rpLXITzUzNM8vM-9GoAEPm0uK1EUTzedRLNXvd7mAsMHla9xsYdBfXCL4dJB7HoAmOKJy7SY/s320/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Here are the finished wreaths</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinuaQi4FwT-WnfH8ch0k8mD2har3A4csmHuBMKf6OTsCt4bBdpJ2f-my4Ou2ZmE8OmOkIB_FU2lcpr4Qt41qDRW-En57PFMH4tQp_nwDEH5byJKKeEqhu4KMbRCLN-jsEdiyyM06ZjDM/s1600/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinuaQi4FwT-WnfH8ch0k8mD2har3A4csmHuBMKf6OTsCt4bBdpJ2f-my4Ou2ZmE8OmOkIB_FU2lcpr4Qt41qDRW-En57PFMH4tQp_nwDEH5byJKKeEqhu4KMbRCLN-jsEdiyyM06ZjDM/s320/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25287%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr4aIk-G8af_NPIdlmS8S7_z8dH647wiJs12MAbqUrTkoeuY35MpBmZb0ntrOVmsxDV3xWm2R99K75K7I3Kc_KY9yaurzQQ9zT_grIxPWE1Un4J3WL1cwevDiQBi09N8rePXRRvF6V68/s1600/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr4aIk-G8af_NPIdlmS8S7_z8dH647wiJs12MAbqUrTkoeuY35MpBmZb0ntrOVmsxDV3xWm2R99K75K7I3Kc_KY9yaurzQQ9zT_grIxPWE1Un4J3WL1cwevDiQBi09N8rePXRRvF6V68/s320/Needle+felting+Xmas+wreath+course+with+Coralie+13th+Dec+%25288%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>The blue one above is Coralie's and the red and green one below is mine. I have it hanging on my living room door.</b></div>
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The actual process of needle felting is fairly easy. It is the artistic side of things that I would struggle with I think. It is very relaxing and you can do it whilst having a good old chat. Just don't lose concentration because it flipping hurts if you accidentally push the barbed needle into your finger! Yes, I did do that several times. I also broke a total of 4 needles! Not to worry as Eve, says she factors broken needles into the cost of her beginner classes!!</div>
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So what do you think? Have you tried needle felting before? I purchased the materials to make a second Robin so I shall definitely be giving it another go.</div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-64829400283792817792015-12-18T23:59:00.000+00:002015-12-18T23:59:45.044+00:00Still shrinkingA quickie blog today before bedtime. I doubt that I will be able to stick to daily blogging but at the moment I am trying my best to reignite the habit. <br />
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We have had a bit of a funny day today. We were expecting to have our daughter here with her OH, our grandson and her mother in law and sister in law. To cut a long story very short, they didn't make it and are now aiming to come on Sunday.<br />
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I was quite disappointed as I was looking forward to seeing them and I had also put in quite a bit of effort to make sure that the house is looking good and everything in place to give a lovely welcome to her in-laws. They are from Nigeria and we have only met them once.<br />
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When we finally knew that they weren't going to get here it was already gone lunch time. It did mean that we had a free afternoon so we decided to head to Peterborough, a trip that we had been planning for Sunday. I don't usually go anywhere near the shops at this time of year but I was down to only 2 bra's that fit me and I really didn't want to be waiting until after Christmas. <br />
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We didn't have to go into the city centre, which is just as well as I don't think I could have braved that! There is a retail park as you come into the city and Marks and Spencers are there. Best place for bra's in my humble opinion. It was an easy trip in (about 25 miles) and we managed to park easily too. In fact. it wasn't horrendously busy.<br />
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The purchasing of the bra's was a little traumatic as the ones that I chose to try on were all the wrong size! It would seem that I have shrunk by a cup size. Why can't you just lose weight from your hips and bottom? Anyway, I managed to get three. One white, one black and one pink. <br />
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While I was messing around getting very hot and bothered in the changing room, Simon had been mooching around the store. He had spotted a very cute, faux suede, skirt and jumper which he thought would appeal to me. Being a good hubby and being very well aware that I am now a size 12, he presented them to me to try on. <br />
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You are never going to believe this......... The size 12 was way too big! It isn't that long ago when I was stunned to be wearing a size 12! The sales lady went off to fetch me a size 10 with me shaking my head in disbelief. No way will I get into a size 10. <br />
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I am still in shock. The 10 not only fits perfectly but it looks pretty good too. The jumper was also changed for a size 10. I could actually get to like this shopping lark, now I can pretty much choose whatever I like and know I have a reasonable chance of looking half way decent in it. These photos are not the best but I just have to show you.<br />
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So, a good afternoon in the end, followed by fish and chips for dinner and then a relaxing evening. Hopefully we will see our guests on Sunday.<br />
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<br />Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-68099581684015745802015-12-17T19:27:00.001+00:002015-12-17T19:32:25.223+00:00Day 2 of the restart.<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 0.48cm;">Well
since I have decided to try and get back into blogging, I guess I
need to do another one today! That will be 2 in 2 days! Pretty good
considering prior to yesterday it is 8 months since I have been here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mind
you I nearly gave up yesterday. Blogger was bugging me big time.
First of all, every time I visit a new page it pops up with a message
telling me it uses cookies. Yeah, I know that, you and every other
website. There are 2 options to get rid of it. “Learn more” and
“got it”. Every single time I click on “got it”. Problem is
that it does not seem to realise that I have “got it” and still
keeps telling me the same thing. I KNOW YOU USE COOKIES! I am fine
with that. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Anyone
know how to kill it?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
second issue is with commenting and I have had this before. As
yesterdays blog was a challenge type thingy, I wanted to visit some
other peoples pages to see what they had got to say. I did that and I
read some interesting answers and also found a few people who seem
interesting that I might want to connect with. So, I wanted to make
some comments. Blogger says NO.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There
doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to its refusal. I could get
my head around it a little better if it refused point blank to let me
comment on anything but it doesn't do that. It picks and chooses
where I can comment. E.G. I can comment just fine on my cousin
Wendy’s blog. I get the normal box come up and it shows my Google
ID and everything is fine. I usually have to do one of those
pictorial verification things. Then my comment appears. I did find
one other person where it worked just like normal.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">On
everyone else's page the comment box didn't have any reference to my
ID. It lets me do my comment and it appears to be publishing it and
then poof it is gone. Does anyone have any idea how to sort this out
because if I can't comment there is little point in taking part. I
also cannot reply to comments as a pop up window opens and closes
before I can do anything. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
has all made me pretty fed up. I think if I am going to make a go of
restarting my blogging habit then I need some interaction with
others. I no longer have the time to sit here and chat to myself. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well,
this has gone well. Two days in and I am whinging and whining! To
make this seem a little more worth while I am going to give you a
doggie photo. </span></span></span>
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<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVryZ5gO9wf6h3_noV_xgQX2QPJ6Ltach1ol6Ri1Qbrf9-YJpORoezTUCHcMD81ZhUr-fMbe7gHRT5XViq3kbhpFomTudpUTt8mKtX3wwPLhx30QKnMmOx-YS0hSRC6rZEJ5XzGkxySus/s1600/2-IMG_3589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVryZ5gO9wf6h3_noV_xgQX2QPJ6Ltach1ol6Ri1Qbrf9-YJpORoezTUCHcMD81ZhUr-fMbe7gHRT5XViq3kbhpFomTudpUTt8mKtX3wwPLhx30QKnMmOx-YS0hSRC6rZEJ5XzGkxySus/s320/2-IMG_3589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 0.48cm;">This
is the wonderful Digby who Simon and I were privileged to take to his
new home today. He is a year old Labrador / Husky cross. Isn't he
handsome? I will do some more doggie posts soon. Good luck Digby.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "things we said" , cursive;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "things we said" , cursive;"><i><b>JILLY</b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "things we said" , cursive;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-21985322250147999182015-12-16T21:50:00.002+00:002015-12-16T22:02:38.676+00:00Wednesday Hodgepodge 16/12/15<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>OK,
so this is the first time I have been here at my blog in an absolute
age. I have been inspired to restart the blogging habit by my cousin
Wendy who has been doing really well after quite a break. I was
talking to her recently and she suggested that a good way to get back
into it is to take part in some memes or challenges. As I always read
her Wednesday HodgePodge, I thought this would be as good a one as
any to start with.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>So
here goes, I'm taking the plunge.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq3BprQhnVzV0UWCMfWubULphQ_4GQg3uyK_An-h97TW3kw0vh-_lIp0sXk7phgxbnsDsXhfC1FvqH7R3FBSeznMGIR9W0wRVudWO_CVMNMfkbneyeGIqouqbuCfyv4OcunPjQIkzpJM/s1600/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq3BprQhnVzV0UWCMfWubULphQ_4GQg3uyK_An-h97TW3kw0vh-_lIp0sXk7phgxbnsDsXhfC1FvqH7R3FBSeznMGIR9W0wRVudWO_CVMNMfkbneyeGIqouqbuCfyv4OcunPjQIkzpJM/s1600/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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<i style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 0.48cm;">Wednesday's
Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2015/12/have-yourself-merry-little-hodgepodge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4d469c;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>From
this side of the pond</i></span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Thank
you Joyce.</i></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Pop
over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link
to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's
post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the
list.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Have
fun!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>1.
What's your biggest 'first world' problem? </b><span style="color: red;">Hmm,
I think we have a fair few problems in the “first world”.
Probably my biggest bugbear is the sheer pace of life. It seems that
everything is done at break neck speed. Nobody it seems wants to
slow down or to take a break. We are all so frantically busy. But are
we really? I would like to go back in time to when things were
slower, to an age where we all had time for each other. Time to
care. Time to stop and smell the roses.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>2.
Each year </b></i></span></span></span><a href="http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2015-angela-merkel-choice/"><span style="color: #4d469c;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Time
Magazine</b></i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b> names
a 'Person of the Year', someone who has 'for better or worse...done
the most to influence the events of the year.' It was recently
announced they've named Angela Merkel Person of the Year for 2015.
You can read more about this year's selection </b></i></span></span></span><a href="http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2015-angela-merkel-choice/"><span style="color: #4d469c;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>here</b></i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>.
Your thoughts? If you were in charge, who would you declare Person of
the Year? </b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Well,
I guess I can see the logic of why she was chosen. I don't really
know if she is right or wrong regarding the migrants, but there are
certainly many who will be thankful to her for the rest of their
lives. For me, I would probably choose a person who is not in the
public eye. A person who works tirelessly with little recognition.
There are a great many of them out there.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b>3.
Do you have a nativity set in your home? If so share its history and
how you display the pieces.</b></i></span><span style="color: #666666;"><i><br />
</i></span><span style="color: red;"><i>We
used to have one when our children were little but it wasn't very
nice. It was made of horrid, hard plastic and we threw it out when
we moved house 4 years ago. We haven't replaced it as we are not
religious.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>4. Do
you make an extra effort to give back in some way during the holiday
season? How do you encourage those who need encouragement this time
of year?</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>To
be honest, I don’t think I make any extra effort. Over the last 5
or 6 years I have realised more and more just how lucky and
privileged I am. That has led me to be much more conscious of
others. I try very hard, every single day, to “give back” in
what ever way I can. It is a bit like new years resolutions for me;
why do you have to wait until new year to change something? Why not
start now. Same principle, I don't need it to be Christmas to “give
back”.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>5.
Who is your favourite person to shop for? Why? </b></i><span style="color: red;"><i><b> </b></i></span><span style="color: red;"><i>I
am not much of a shopper and I really dislike the </i></span><span style="color: red;"><i>s</i></span><span style="color: red;"><i>hops
at this time of year because they are so crowded and noisy. I find
Christmas shopping a chore as I never know what to buy for people.
That said, I have recently rediscovered the joys of shopping for
clothes for myself. I have lost a lot of weight this year and that
make</i></span><span style="color: red;"><i>s</i></span><span style="color: red;"><i>
it all so much easier. I look halfway decent in things now and I
have even tried new things that I wouldn’t previously have even
glanced at.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>6.
What's the last delicious thing you ate? </b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>We
are lucky as most of our food is pretty good. We did have a fabulous
rib eye steak on Saturday served with a king prawn sauce and all
cooked by my husband. Bonus!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>7.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is</b></i><i> </i><span style="color: red;"><i>to
drink a few glasses of the red stuff and keep smiling!</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>8.
Insert your own random thought here. </b></i><span style="color: red;"><i>Last
year was the first Christmas without my Dad. It was still lovely but
a little sad. This year I am looking forward to it much more. I do
really enjoy seeing all of our family although it does get somewhat
loud and chaotic!</i></span><span style="color: red;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-15479954470171831222015-04-19T21:46:00.000+01:002015-04-19T21:46:49.704+01:00Catching up on A-Z.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Oh
dear, I knew it was too good to last! I am 4 days behind with the
A-Z challenge. I do however have a very good excuse. We have had no
internet access for 3 days. Apparently according to BT's status
help line there has been a major problem in our area. This seems to
mean our village! No idea what happened but it is now back. I can't
tell you how annoying it was. How the world has changed, that
being without internet access is so frustrating.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Anyway,
I have missed M, N, O and P. I am not going to have the time to do
them justice so I think I will just make this a quick catch up for
all 4.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M
is for Morton. I live in the village of Morton. It is in the county
of Lincolnshire and on the edge of the Fens. I love it here. This
photo shows the village church. It is at the very far end of the
village from me but I can see the clock from my garden.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsCRoUhhT3A3ZHYp59TUC7QXrDLgkQi9dWRzOQfZPpleVL0BkbqphzhVvpx4P76o5fiNyCYg8jW1VXNomil_V7HkHAvktRwXqsWThWax1X70b4Oi0Q25jqJwnmE1skWgXgLfW4W1WRsU/s1600/Morton_high_street-Geograph-693588-by-Ian-Paterson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsCRoUhhT3A3ZHYp59TUC7QXrDLgkQi9dWRzOQfZPpleVL0BkbqphzhVvpx4P76o5fiNyCYg8jW1VXNomil_V7HkHAvktRwXqsWThWax1X70b4Oi0Q25jqJwnmE1skWgXgLfW4W1WRsU/s1600/Morton_high_street-Geograph-693588-by-Ian-Paterson.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
N
is for nothing! After nearly an hour of pondering, I simply have not
been able to think of anything, so it is NOTHING!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
O
is for Osmonds, specifically Donny Osmond! In the mid seventies I
was a teeny bopper and Donny Osmond was my hero. I was going to
marry him! Somehow that never worked out! This was the only period
in my life when I was really into music. I still like Donny Osmond
and still think he has a lovely voice but it is years since I have
played any of his stuff. I never play or listen to any music really.
I never have the radio on. I prefer peace and quiet.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFBguhQI4VCGlVXT2JX-DF471UafDg9fVltOWIO_KsrwVprbpuJAzTnPBJqQO3WqtCY3OoZlxKC8i7bvw-DqZaGqeSE8ioiKnzPfAgCO19GEQbtw9C6DzzEEEQGw8U_ZPdPo96-_XH80/s1600/920686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFBguhQI4VCGlVXT2JX-DF471UafDg9fVltOWIO_KsrwVprbpuJAzTnPBJqQO3WqtCY3OoZlxKC8i7bvw-DqZaGqeSE8ioiKnzPfAgCO19GEQbtw9C6DzzEEEQGw8U_ZPdPo96-_XH80/s1600/920686.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
This is a young Donny Osmond. The one from my teens.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
P
is for positivity. I touched on this in an earlier blog. I am a
realist so I can sometimes find it hard to remain positive but it is
an area that I am currently trying to work hard on. I am currently
positive that I am going to find it very hard to do tomorrows
challenge with the letter Q! Sorry! Couldn't resist that.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As
you can see I am now really struggling with this whole challenge
thing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I
just checked out the official list and I haven't been struck off yet!
I am currently number 1586. I have read some blogs but with over
1600 there is little chance of me getting through all of them! How
lovely it would be to have that much time.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I
am looking forward to seeing what people come up with tomorrow for
the letter Q. In particular my cousin who is working on a theme of
friends and family.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thinking
of themes, maybe that is where I have gone wrong in doing random
blogs. Perhaps a theme would have been easier. I don't know. I'll
try and struggle on.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><i><b>Jilly</b></i></span></span></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-49404350459299976132015-04-14T12:00:00.000+01:002015-04-14T12:00:03.751+01:00<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A
– Z Challenge. L is for Loulou</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Loulou
was our Dalmatian. We lost her on the 18<sup>th</sup> of January.
She was 14 years, 9 months old and it was her time. She was tired
and she was done. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUTP2WFydns1d6BFc4FFQbryJBKJcretMbzM4Z0NouzZH33DjOjTjLmRXG2DQeBN6nR2O5bsUJeERSj0pTct8OKLf8q1kAsiHaydKQ0VBxahCQbW3v0SjRMWLdM0Fp_XfEnvz-ba9zd8/s1600/Loulou+13th+Jan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUTP2WFydns1d6BFc4FFQbryJBKJcretMbzM4Z0NouzZH33DjOjTjLmRXG2DQeBN6nR2O5bsUJeERSj0pTct8OKLf8q1kAsiHaydKQ0VBxahCQbW3v0SjRMWLdM0Fp_XfEnvz-ba9zd8/s1600/Loulou+13th+Jan.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is our last photo of her, a week before she died.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She
was born on the 27</span><sup style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> of March 2000 along with her brother
Alfie. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4RomLiifKZAoSf8Dha5xkkaj-YSJ6ztvB49ldMQ-JsdIe1aC5nYunuInwtXnYp_nwpH76VT-II5HKvVCQUQrkDcXJ_s079ZPxWfIA4A07mB9noqEJbagYWNQeN-iUdbz04OKvnldV0s/s1600/Puppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4RomLiifKZAoSf8Dha5xkkaj-YSJ6ztvB49ldMQ-JsdIe1aC5nYunuInwtXnYp_nwpH76VT-II5HKvVCQUQrkDcXJ_s079ZPxWfIA4A07mB9noqEJbagYWNQeN-iUdbz04OKvnldV0s/s1600/Puppies.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHaU1bsR7KerHTFrwkz1LKard5hWWthvBtzYfmzSIe3YoMcMGXugaUIK2-Fm5jkZWyPo_3q-GGPPBiT-nd52oHs-Q4RF4iVM2rjFYHXykNejkJ7YcjLcud53_MiQ_zwibiwWAeCwiWMs/s1600/Rosie+and+baby+Loulou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHaU1bsR7KerHTFrwkz1LKard5hWWthvBtzYfmzSIe3YoMcMGXugaUIK2-Fm5jkZWyPo_3q-GGPPBiT-nd52oHs-Q4RF4iVM2rjFYHXykNejkJ7YcjLcud53_MiQ_zwibiwWAeCwiWMs/s1600/Rosie+and+baby+Loulou.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; orphans: 1;">She lived with her Mum, her brother and little Sandy. They had the best life and were all very much loved. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3bIyG36nSTLp0i7AMNLjTp01Ld3DGInFgFVM5azEvnwMo46CQfofZLNSDhd6Z2NdGZHvFHI-5vOiuejq-HxvrDnKq0wdT_1u1XjnSmgmojsOe0P2ZNoiNukqKJfKzWRu_0ttgiL4ZB8/s1600/Alfie+and+Loulou+in+the+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3bIyG36nSTLp0i7AMNLjTp01Ld3DGInFgFVM5azEvnwMo46CQfofZLNSDhd6Z2NdGZHvFHI-5vOiuejq-HxvrDnKq0wdT_1u1XjnSmgmojsOe0P2ZNoiNukqKJfKzWRu_0ttgiL4ZB8/s1600/Alfie+and+Loulou+in+the+woods.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">All
4 of them liked to play in the Bluebell Woods but this shows Alfie
and Loulou. We are waiting for the blubells to come out as we
are going here to scatter the ashes of all 4 of them.</span> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeyuKS4Hdw6D_QLK5sMkUMRViS2kaCeKxauszZOVWQDc8vgfZJHUwRefDLNsUuVoZpfXI5BpS2ODwLD9vYRVXY00igQDORkr9xmSoO0DS6ZVWYh_3hiY1EcrVWF8oA3mem1YHkkRgjpc/s1600/Dogs+at+Ferry+meadows-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeyuKS4Hdw6D_QLK5sMkUMRViS2kaCeKxauszZOVWQDc8vgfZJHUwRefDLNsUuVoZpfXI5BpS2ODwLD9vYRVXY00igQDORkr9xmSoO0DS6ZVWYh_3hiY1EcrVWF8oA3mem1YHkkRgjpc/s1600/Dogs+at+Ferry+meadows-3.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; orphans: 1;"><b>Loulou full of life</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; orphans: 1;">As
is the way of things, one by one they all became old and one after
the other we lost them. Loulou was the last. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; orphans: 1;">She
died very peacefully at home with us right there with her. We have
been lucky as all 4 of them have died at home.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; orphans: 1;"><br /></span>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
still miss each and every one of them so much. It never gets any
easier. People who have never had a dog as a part of their family
will never understand that. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-CKAIdw_mDRQpvfgWf8Sq2zaAo-M-txb_P1uPTG9u0sCBMdktGwHhIGsqBO4oGFeXZ6_Qw2Uqk66UAdRoEALWQQOmswcqHN3GWGYZMnsKlMzK-LUEgqkmFm1EvTy06STFGnwoLOmKfU/s1600/Jilly--mylove.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-CKAIdw_mDRQpvfgWf8Sq2zaAo-M-txb_P1uPTG9u0sCBMdktGwHhIGsqBO4oGFeXZ6_Qw2Uqk66UAdRoEALWQQOmswcqHN3GWGYZMnsKlMzK-LUEgqkmFm1EvTy06STFGnwoLOmKfU/s1600/Jilly--mylove.gif" /></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-49933321010030659612015-04-13T14:00:00.000+01:002015-04-13T14:00:00.583+01:00K is for Knitting<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A
– Z challenge for today is “K” </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hmm
this has been another hard one for me. I have come up with knitting.
</span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My
Mum was a very good knitter. A very prolific knitter too. She
always had something on the go and knitted all our jumpers and
cardigans when we were small. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She
also got much joy out of knitting for her Grandchildren too. It was
very sad when she finally stopped. It was some while before the
Alzheimers really set in but I think in part it was because she found
it harder to follow a pattern and that may well have been because of
the disease. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My
sister is also an extremely good knitter. She has produced some
beautiful things. She is currently knitting for her new Grandson. I
don't actually remember, but I assume that it was Mum who taught her.
</span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
can remember Mum trying to teach me. She wasn't that patient with
me! Thinking about it, I guess I get my lack of patience from her.
Anyway, it didn't go that well. I did manage to knit a small red
teddy bear in plain garter stitch to get my Brownie badge. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Over
my late teenage years I did also knit a much larger teddy who I still
have and when I first knew Simon I knitted him a jumper and a
cardigan. If I remember the jumper turned out very large and he only
ever wore it a couple of times. The cardigan was a belted affair and
I think it came out OK but it wasn’t really him. He wore it about
twice!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXRLu_Sdoqf8aIaRRRNdp-M2GdzwO4ZEpvlz2lhUJLMW333nZ7GQpXWIGSa-MvYvSik8PYYL8d6BoK1RuaMcuaUiU1nEXTUVs9-UeFkMhHVeTyxj5jcRBdil3IHUcOUhyphenhyphen2i7nfsru9hY/s1600/feb+1979+dunstable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXRLu_Sdoqf8aIaRRRNdp-M2GdzwO4ZEpvlz2lhUJLMW333nZ7GQpXWIGSa-MvYvSik8PYYL8d6BoK1RuaMcuaUiU1nEXTUVs9-UeFkMhHVeTyxj5jcRBdil3IHUcOUhyphenhyphen2i7nfsru9hY/s1600/feb+1979+dunstable.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
had another go when I was expecting Sam and knitted some bootees.
Then when I was expecting Saskia (my 4</span><sup style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">) I knitted a
couple of matinee jackets and some bonnets that were fairly
successful.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Then
it came to a stop. Until around a year back when I decided that I
wanted to try a different craft each month. I decided to try
knitting first as I would so much like to be able to master this.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Over
the year I have knitted a few things. I started out with simple
garter stitch squares which have since been sewn up to make a blanket
which Beanie now has. It isn't very good but he likes it! Sewing up
is even harder than the knitting!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf8u6yLA_Glx1meKOZmTOUDxxVpl6cEXNxdCEILMgWlR0GHowf9G2inBxHPExl5P2lwnFIespocXtwAMQNwnXRfbbXVXhJCRL5NMFzsFEVO30bmIx0y6S2djXGyx5UDiq6zG2155P6s8/s1600/Beanies+1st+trip+in+Tallulah+6th+February+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf8u6yLA_Glx1meKOZmTOUDxxVpl6cEXNxdCEILMgWlR0GHowf9G2inBxHPExl5P2lwnFIespocXtwAMQNwnXRfbbXVXhJCRL5NMFzsFEVO30bmIx0y6S2djXGyx5UDiq6zG2155P6s8/s1600/Beanies+1st+trip+in+Tallulah+6th+February+(1).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Then
I made a garter stitch, cross over, 50's style, neck scarf. It was
OK, but would have been way better if I had used the correct wool. I
was just using up oddments that I had from somewhere.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTj_L0HjIhPg7J0TUFeFNQIxOdr2nuGZSerF6DCGP5hCxkPJTnb4PhDlTpb-3_YtHnGcPIi7umerKXorkKZhOQxctAICvhgOtQkXkQZg1zA1PoKEwA4qapfXaS9KeeE1tD-bc5spYnMw/s1600/Lilac+keyhole+scarf+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTj_L0HjIhPg7J0TUFeFNQIxOdr2nuGZSerF6DCGP5hCxkPJTnb4PhDlTpb-3_YtHnGcPIi7umerKXorkKZhOQxctAICvhgOtQkXkQZg1zA1PoKEwA4qapfXaS9KeeE1tD-bc5spYnMw/s1600/Lilac+keyhole+scarf+(1).JPG" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Then
I appealed to some Etsy friends for easy starter patterns. My friend
Spinning kindly sent me a kit so that I could test it for her. It
was for fingerless gloves.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GU766UW4fWib0gnamfx9dfdIezTXPVacx5h1rRYMHb0A3PlYLHyJ9X8ArmJ5aHj0HK1pAGMzeT_-c12z3GFxsIq-_Ou6J3-Gm7yT2jrsdxeMKgc0t8synRA_K6cccRRW1NXapHXsIjc/s1600/My+first+fingerless+mittens+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GU766UW4fWib0gnamfx9dfdIezTXPVacx5h1rRYMHb0A3PlYLHyJ9X8ArmJ5aHj0HK1pAGMzeT_-c12z3GFxsIq-_Ou6J3-Gm7yT2jrsdxeMKgc0t8synRA_K6cccRRW1NXapHXsIjc/s1600/My+first+fingerless+mittens+(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My
friend Liz has a brilliant pattern for beginners, one which you can
find here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/152374696/knitting-pattern-scarf-cowl-head-warmer?ref=shop_home_active_22" target="_blank">Mad Mum Knits</a> I purchased it from her and I made myself the whole set
which I was very pleased with. Excuse me with my eyes closed!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxByGNApk1ZAmWA_Y5rcaYdayl9lO6r2iX6s6gvDKK3tnx9vVRJZqyGaZH740HPl5HhfKfbNTLV3zaP45GpHX9HW874DhEWMVYF5_OrPtvJQNoHqMyuskHHBmEmNLMGLFak9q4C1lVLWg/s1600/Me+in+my+knitted+gear+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxByGNApk1ZAmWA_Y5rcaYdayl9lO6r2iX6s6gvDKK3tnx9vVRJZqyGaZH740HPl5HhfKfbNTLV3zaP45GpHX9HW874DhEWMVYF5_OrPtvJQNoHqMyuskHHBmEmNLMGLFak9q4C1lVLWg/s1600/Me+in+my+knitted+gear+(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
have also made Simon 2 cowls and the gloves and I made all the girls
gloves for their Snowman present at Christmas. Please note, two of them have them on the wrong hands so you can see the seams!! Silly girls. Doesn't matter much though as I know one of them will never have worn them anyway!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiam6Bc7ABKAGWU_3apirilfA6UJ6dWCPyU19PAEkbvUTY3-CFps5t7O1ZZU_3JgdUGUC_1Un_WmUFYO10JWbEnEsC7xk1i5tLddR6p33uKI_6QD7pw6w1BZz0AtIJtYlk8ok-P2aShw/s1600/Christmas+day+2014+(37).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiam6Bc7ABKAGWU_3apirilfA6UJ6dWCPyU19PAEkbvUTY3-CFps5t7O1ZZU_3JgdUGUC_1Un_WmUFYO10JWbEnEsC7xk1i5tLddR6p33uKI_6QD7pw6w1BZz0AtIJtYlk8ok-P2aShw/s1600/Christmas+day+2014+(37).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am quite good at this pattern now!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unfortunately
that is as far as I have progressed. I like using the chunky wool as
it grows quite quickly. I need to find an easy pattern for something
that isn't a scarf or gloves as I think we have enough now!</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do
you knit? Who taught you? What is the best thing you have done?</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #ccff99;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><i><b>Jilly</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-47072044965658672582015-04-11T11:30:00.000+01:002015-04-11T11:30:02.087+01:00A - Z Challenge "J" is for ME!<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A
– Z challenge for today is “J” </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Easy
peasey. “J” is for Jill and Jilly.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">J”
is not for Gillian. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Names
are funny things aren't they? I am fascinated by names both first
names and surnames. I love to learn the origins of surnames and also
the reasons behind why people are given certain names. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am sure most of us know the origins of common surnames such as Baker
and Smith etc. but it is not always so obvious where first names have
come from. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Of
course often it is family tradition. EG. Our first born is called
Samuel James after 2 of his Great Grandparents. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Many
of us will know the story of how Brooklyn Beckham got his name!
Quite where Gwyneth Paltrow came up with Apple for her daughter is
anyone’s guess.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
best name I have found in my family history research is Happy. I
love that! She was a little girl born in 1846 if I remember
correctly and the 13<sup>th</sup> child so I wonder how happy her
mother really was? Perhaps they hoped if they gave her that name
then she would always be happy. Who knows?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Anyway,
Back to me. My given name was Gillian. I don't know why my parents
chose that name. No one else in the family has it. I assume they
just liked it. In that case why was I never actually called it?
They always called me Jill. My Mum also called me Louby Lou and Dolly
Day Dream I was called Jill at school. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Oddly,
I have always spelt Jill with a “J” and yet as I am a Gillian you
would have perhaps expected me to spell Jill as Gill. I wonder why
that is. Who first spelt it as Jill? </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Then
I met Simon who has always called me Jilly and through my adult years
most of my friends have called me Jilly. I am still called Jill by
some very old friends and some family members. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It
is just as well as I don’t like Gillian. Strangely though if I
have to sign my name or initials I will sign Gillian or GGS. Odd
isn't it.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am also intrigued as to why people change their names. I know quite
a few people who call themselves by their second names. I don’t
have a second name but for me I would find it some how disrespectful
to my parents to not use the name they chose for me. I know I would
feel quite miffed if any of my children chose to change their names. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sometimes
it seems to me a bit pretentious too. In Simon’s family 2 of his
siblings have chosen different names for themselves. His brother
Andrew morphed into Felix some years ago and even longer ago before I
knew them, his sister Claire changed into Francessca.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Is
your name your real name? Do you have a nickname? I'd love to know.
</span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #ccff99;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><i><b>Jilly</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-64825065003969438302015-04-10T14:36:00.000+01:002015-04-10T18:23:27.414+01:00"I" is for "I".<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Here
we are again, happy as can be, tra la la la la! I think insanity is
setting in. The A-Z challenge is really hard. Today it is “I”.
</span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
pondered this and pondered it yesterday and my mind was a total
blank. Then just when I was about to give up I could hear my Dad
calling out to my Mum...... “I”. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Her
name was Iris but much of the time he called her “I”. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now
I feel guilty that I didn't immediately think of her but in my
defence I didn’t call her I or Iris I called her Mum.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It
is coming up very shortly to 3 years since we lost my Mum. It seems
like much, much longer. I have so much guilt over my feelings.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She
was a good Mum. We had our ups and downs through my teenage years
like many do but we always got along. Many of you will know her story
and that she had Alzheimers disease. It is the hardest thing that I
have dealt with in my life. I still find it hard to the point where
I can't talk about it.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Instead
I shall post a photo so that you can see what “I” looks like. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGC1EmI-7_tXqlYbGfo5o8OqEFIFhb_q3k9_5VC3neAKhsXWWFkik5JOLI7Q7g1DWhImR-HjvLGhfOkuKuhMU-H3bKyJn64Tbpe0CFjqCxlsgR2XhRvHCUADRlBwNw5p8jVz7H0AjZgI/s1600/Mums+birthday+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGC1EmI-7_tXqlYbGfo5o8OqEFIFhb_q3k9_5VC3neAKhsXWWFkik5JOLI7Q7g1DWhImR-HjvLGhfOkuKuhMU-H3bKyJn64Tbpe0CFjqCxlsgR2XhRvHCUADRlBwNw5p8jVz7H0AjZgI/s1600/Mums+birthday+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
was taken on her last birthday and although it is not the best of
photos I cherish it because it is the last one ever taken of the 4 of
us. </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 96pt;"><b>Jilly.</b></i></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-73549000362597777132015-04-09T12:39:00.000+01:002015-04-09T12:39:40.953+01:00A- Z challenge - "H"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpDZTOSJkAwib08ZrScWTFzkX3LbH8UQR1H4f7_ng0-lytS7z4JpY6k9gw8ZOG_oSmhUfSjrJkWw7_e7yYeTXqIcEsgMrQJm-iSvwuBFI6hJmfi-0Eb8FJ7xL-Bka2XgvpHlG6Bx3IKY/s1600/hopscotch-markings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpDZTOSJkAwib08ZrScWTFzkX3LbH8UQR1H4f7_ng0-lytS7z4JpY6k9gw8ZOG_oSmhUfSjrJkWw7_e7yYeTXqIcEsgMrQJm-iSvwuBFI6hJmfi-0Eb8FJ7xL-Bka2XgvpHlG6Bx3IKY/s1600/hopscotch-markings.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
here I am again for another day and I confess it seems to be getting
harder. Today is "H" </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
pondered this yesterday and couldn't think of anything. Last
night I saw something on TV, some statistics about how many hours a
day children play outside compared with a few generations back.
I can't remember all the details but it was something like 4 hours 50
years ago and 1 hour now. They also said that lots of children
had never built a sandcastle or flown a kite. Again I can't
remember the numbers.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
made me think about my own childhood where we always played outside.
We had a green in front of our house and we would play there.
We used to cycle around it on our bikes. Sometimes in the
summer the Mums would sit out there and chat but much of the time we
were unsupervised. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
own children were allowed to play outside but only in the square in
front of our house or on the hill at the back where I could see them.
They were not allowed beyond there and while they were quite
young I would sit on the front doorstep to watch. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
grandchildren are not allowed to play in the street although all of
them play outside in their gardens. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Where
am I going with this? Oh yes..... I started to think
about my childhood games and my favourite was Hopscotch. Who
remembers that? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
anyone younger who might not, I will explain. You used chalk
(or a pebble) to draw a grid on the ground with numbers up to 10 and
then you rolled a stone and had to hop and jump to that square. It
was great fun and cost no money. Simple pleasures. I
wonder what today’s children would make of it. I shall have
to try it out with the grandchildren. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
good explanation can be found here:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopscotch">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopscotch</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
“H” is for Hopscotch.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; orphans: 1; text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #9966cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 96pt;"><b>Jilly</b></i></div>
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</div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-51974465626776260052015-04-08T13:59:00.001+01:002015-04-08T13:59:39.145+01:00G is for GrandchildrenDay 8 of the A-Z Challenge and it is "G" for Grandchildren.<div>
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Grandchildren are the best thing ever! I can't begin to tell you of the excitment when you learn that one is on the way; or the joy when the little bundle finally arrives. </div>
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<div>
We are lucky. We have 6 Grandchildren so far and I am sure there will be more. We have 2 Granddaughters and 4 Grandsons. They are all very differnt and all an absolute delight. I could say so much but I would need to write a book so instead I shall just post some photos! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCX9KqiJDUG1xYdfOXGfXRmNWOmi980X4OxcBAG6_Wu9-b_SIBSG4CVmOpOs4ixvmMME4w3arkVE546VA4J_RPoNDk89nvhxbtwVBc_a9xe17QEYxbErx7lK1xtSDp1Ky2MdrAq7vBk4/s1600/12th+May+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCX9KqiJDUG1xYdfOXGfXRmNWOmi980X4OxcBAG6_Wu9-b_SIBSG4CVmOpOs4ixvmMME4w3arkVE546VA4J_RPoNDk89nvhxbtwVBc_a9xe17QEYxbErx7lK1xtSDp1Ky2MdrAq7vBk4/s1600/12th+May+05.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Ellie Grace</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGyhxMExLs6gq1Lph0QRXgd5-nGuMzVU-PwBPFOii0GE5_4LUPfOh0WiqqYP6QPlgLpsNtDdrvGIKPOEoVnviJb_THMn1Kno-8ekmtI0YIFqWVka04LKW4qn2SSbX6Vpe8EosJdyBk_E/s1600/July+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGyhxMExLs6gq1Lph0QRXgd5-nGuMzVU-PwBPFOii0GE5_4LUPfOh0WiqqYP6QPlgLpsNtDdrvGIKPOEoVnviJb_THMn1Kno-8ekmtI0YIFqWVka04LKW4qn2SSbX6Vpe8EosJdyBk_E/s1600/July+003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Evan Reuben</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFxHNkZIsCorf4lgzVvzhgx8xEs0YyR8XMxDzuYav9VCVtQqdotfugRCfZ0HJzkSI3Ra8gquIzmp-F3W8GviphQ1vS1FitO5eaZMTbmJCIS1LrpOY9RusVqWXAapokfgLmgnbDt7Noa0/s1600/Pearl+anniversary+celebration+24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFxHNkZIsCorf4lgzVvzhgx8xEs0YyR8XMxDzuYav9VCVtQqdotfugRCfZ0HJzkSI3Ra8gquIzmp-F3W8GviphQ1vS1FitO5eaZMTbmJCIS1LrpOY9RusVqWXAapokfgLmgnbDt7Noa0/s1600/Pearl+anniversary+celebration+24.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> Flynn Spencer</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XC2wy5pEpaoEIvPAN9_bgeiXj_roQLRu8Kq6Nv9lgGj_bMCluLE-gaLiM4JnksgVJ8RAFOudwx6Z2SA11iqczr1spzQA3N1pSuVb4N42WIldgtRH0xXwxVrymlFhJcc1pXazEA6p2_g/s1600/The+boys+baptism+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XC2wy5pEpaoEIvPAN9_bgeiXj_roQLRu8Kq6Nv9lgGj_bMCluLE-gaLiM4JnksgVJ8RAFOudwx6Z2SA11iqczr1spzQA3N1pSuVb4N42WIldgtRH0xXwxVrymlFhJcc1pXazEA6p2_g/s1600/The+boys+baptism+034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Jessica Madison</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8SCP3DPDfsu6Hi9udF3vLfuBtPwNu1g2bcFYHlU_BvxIq6DQv-YiToCkFJvELDFZWHEQed0RoSLtCdyKo40RwXxY7-G_0KHMCofVMjR6QA7FAjvH-qsB_lJCaqMWb_bB1Mm05DAGw_k/s1600/Jackson+17+days+old+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8SCP3DPDfsu6Hi9udF3vLfuBtPwNu1g2bcFYHlU_BvxIq6DQv-YiToCkFJvELDFZWHEQed0RoSLtCdyKo40RwXxY7-G_0KHMCofVMjR6QA7FAjvH-qsB_lJCaqMWb_bB1Mm05DAGw_k/s1600/Jackson+17+days+old+(6).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Jackson George</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVgvNPo4_72EbENXaaTaAS4xwOHhCFfm-83ErlCSc7daX5_4GvRafGt9iL0OxEbb8THPpj-d4RaBY2T43j4AXQk53Dw_HFlix_WFQiyJ8DVqUSf_rBnYW9BNyaohvCsRIP0m1C0bxd3A/s1600/Morra+28th+March+5+days+old++(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVgvNPo4_72EbENXaaTaAS4xwOHhCFfm-83ErlCSc7daX5_4GvRafGt9iL0OxEbb8THPpj-d4RaBY2T43j4AXQk53Dw_HFlix_WFQiyJ8DVqUSf_rBnYW9BNyaohvCsRIP0m1C0bxd3A/s1600/Morra+28th+March+5+days+old++(10).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Shafiq Morra Usman</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6m_f_6fvhrVWBbfPEbFyiTKLe5N-94vM0eLcKHKUSXJhZ-oZERcv88rAOaXZUUDc3VL07sZFmMQ7DoPMGXVmvbgMwggWcYhEceUUYXLl2zHdBWa3zYIkK3kT_TjFpkbU5WK5BvmYOcHg/s1600/Dads+Birthday+at+julies+15th+Dec+(49).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6m_f_6fvhrVWBbfPEbFyiTKLe5N-94vM0eLcKHKUSXJhZ-oZERcv88rAOaXZUUDc3VL07sZFmMQ7DoPMGXVmvbgMwggWcYhEceUUYXLl2zHdBWa3zYIkK3kT_TjFpkbU5WK5BvmYOcHg/s1600/Dads+Birthday+at+julies+15th+Dec+(49).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dad with his 6 Great Grandchidren. L- R Evan, Flynn, Jessica, Jackson, Annabelle and Ellie.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
As you can see the first 5 photos are all taken with their Great Grandad Alf. This is for 2 reasons, some of my children aren't too keen on putting photos of the children online, so I have gone for baby photo's and secondly, I wanted to show just how much these children meant to my Dad, their Great Grandad. He adored them all and they him. It is so lovely that my 4 eldest had very strong bonds with him and saw him regularly and have great memories. </div>
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It is a great sadness that for little Jackson and Annabelle (my sisters grandaughter) they will not remember. The biggest sadness of all was that he never got to meet little Morra who he was so excited about. Of course he now has 2 more, Scarlett and Joshua who are my sisters grandchildren. </div>
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The 6th photo shows Morra with his Grandad.</div>
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<span style="color: #66cc99;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><b>Jilly</b></span></span></div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-66140847900200821192015-04-07T13:36:00.002+01:002015-04-07T14:55:18.750+01:00Do you hang your washing out?<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">For once it is a bright
sunny day and so I decided to put the washing on the line. I confess
that I am guilty of mostly using the tumble drier to dry my washing.
Only in the height of summer do I regularly use my washing line.
Something that would have horrified my Mum.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">When I was putting the
stuff out today memories of my Mum came flooding back. The first
thing that popped into my mind was how she would always take a damp
cloth and wipe the line down first. I have never done that. I just
peg the stuff out. Do you wipe your line first?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I remember how she pegged
things out too. Usually she would peg from the shoulders of a
garment whereas I always peg from the bottom. I wonder if there is a
supposed right and wrong way? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">She always used her
washing line, in all weathers, except rain or really icy cold. That
said I can remember occasions where it had obviously become cold and
the washing would come off the line totally frozen stiff and would
stand up on its own. I can't see the purpose of having put it out in
that weather. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I also remember how if a
sudden downpour arrived she would dash out into the garden and rush
round madly un-pegging in order to get it in before it got soaked.
Back in those days neighbours would also do the same for each other
if they knew you were out. So it would not be unusual to come home
and find all your washing with the woman next door. Today, if that
happened you would assume it had been stolen.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Of course in those days
they did not have the luxury of a machine that would get it all dry
for you in under a couple of hours. The washing would come off the
line and if it was still damp it would be draped over a clothes airer
which was in the kitchen. My Mum's one was wooden and sometimes it
would leave marks on the clothes. When I was first married, in the
days before I had a tumble drier, I had a plastic clothes airer which
went over the bath. However with 5 children it wasn’t too long
before I had a tumbler.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If the clothes came off
the line dry then they would be ironed and placed in the airing
cupboard. A cupboard with slatted shelves above the boiler so it
was warm. The clothes stayed in there for at least several days
until they were “aired”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I have never really
understood airing cupboards and the process of airing. What does
that even mean? If clothes are damp then you dry them. If they are
dry you put them away, don't you? I do anyway.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">One legacy that my Mum has
left me is ironing. She ironed most things. She certainly ironed
all our clothes and the bed linen. This has rubbed off on me. I
iron everything, and I do mean everything! Underpants and socks
included! Do I like ironing? No! Somehow though I can't get myself
out of the habit. Maybe I should work on that! </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Very occasionally if I
time it right with the tumble drier, I can get away with folding a
few things or maybe just giving them a quick press. Trouble is I am
usually too busy and forget to attend to the drier as soon as it
finishes. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">What are your washing
habits? I think the British are more into their washing lines than
my Merikan friends. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #990066;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><b>Jilly</b></span></span></div>
Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-605166028818249861.post-66203585765467776872015-04-06T21:39:00.000+01:002015-04-06T21:39:18.473+01:00A- Z Challeneg - E & F<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClSt8POrWtoOfzZc-5WE-ft1v8IYe53sD8BvhEGUqSVpCYHsoRTF8J-a3acUnJpxVBKJYDzawyb3lUsA_lfgSw8F48HS3yFIMpzcyEETtMKKoeKQbPqeSoq943Cg_5hr3b5YGm8lve2I/s1600/098af5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClSt8POrWtoOfzZc-5WE-ft1v8IYe53sD8BvhEGUqSVpCYHsoRTF8J-a3acUnJpxVBKJYDzawyb3lUsA_lfgSw8F48HS3yFIMpzcyEETtMKKoeKQbPqeSoq943Cg_5hr3b5YGm8lve2I/s1600/098af5d.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Well
here I am again, trying to keep up with this challenge. Actually
as you can see from the title I am cheating today by doing a 2 for
1 effort. E & F Together!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">E is
for empty and F is for full. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes,
you have guessed correct, it is a reference to the glass being half
empty or the glass being half full. So which are you, full or
empty?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
confess that I am a glass half empty kind of person although I do
occasionally have smatterings of half full glasses. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of
course what we are actually talking about here is pessimism versus
optimism isn't it? Or is it? Now that is where it gets
me all wound up. You see, although I am a half empty person, I
am also a pretty optimistic person. What I definitely am is a
realistic person. I am a person who deals in facts. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
the fact is the glass in front of me is half empty. I can see
that. Realistically, there will always be times when it is
going to be half empty. BUT.... I am ever optimistic that
sooner or later it will be full. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
when I say that I am a "glass half empty" kind of girl,
don't judge me and mark me down as a miserable pessimist. I am
a realist. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I am also extremely grateful that I have a glass. Always be grateful for your glass, whatever the content. Your glass is a blessing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #66cc99;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 96pt;"><i><b>Jilly</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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Jillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464199642113069252noreply@blogger.com3