Ms Cellania

I hate wasting money! + Happy Birthday Fred

2009-07-14T16:48:00.008+01:00

Yesterday was not one of my best days. I was really annoyed because I got a parking ticket even though when I left my car it was legally parked and I returned well within the two hour limit. Let me explain:

I sit on an advisory board for a local Children's Centre and we meet every three months. When I arrived yesterday there were no other cars parked in the road outside so I parked about a foot within the white lines, and there was plenty of space for more cars behind me. So far so good, I went over the road to the meeting and when I returned about an hour and a half later the front of my car was several feet outside the box and onto the double yellow lines. I saw it immediately and rushed across but it was too late there was a parking ticket on the windscreen.

I really couldn't understand how the car had moved. It was particularly annoying because two of the community support Officers (attached to the police) were at the meeting and it is my guess they were the ones who issued the notice. When I got into the car it was in gear but the hand break was not that tight so I can only guess it rolled forward those few feet or someone shunted it. There was a car parked very close to the rear of my car so to an observer it looked like I had stopped in front of that car.

I wondered whether to challenge it but decided that I couldn't prove I had parked correctly so I paid up at a 50% reduction for paying within 14 days. I hate wasting money like this and that made it a very expensive cup of coffee and a biscuit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Now onto a happier note......
today is Fred's birthday (my daughter Sam's partner), it is also Bastille day and a French national holiday. So Happy Birthday from all of us Fred and I hope all the other French people who might be celebrating have a wonderful day.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-74 Birthday Celebrations
2007: Show us your Apron +Happy Birthday Fred

Fun Monday # 124 In the summertime....

2009-07-13T06:02:00.010+01:00

Janis has found the perfect summer topic and she says:

Since the Lazy Hazy Days of summer are upon us now, tell us what activities you enjoy doing outside and how do you stay cool.

I don't think it will come as any surprise to those who know me that the best summer activities for me are those which involve my family. In a month's time Sam and Beccy will be coming to stay. Beccy will be bringing my two youngest grandchildren and we have lots of outdoor fun planned. For example: bike ride, a visit to Alton Towers (am I getting too old for this I ask myself...I can always look after the bags!!!! LOL), and a balloon ride.

As we will not be going on any exotic trips abroad this summer, one thing I enjoy is looking back on past summer holidays and all this water certainly makes me feel cool!

I think Ben (my youngest grandson) was too young to remember his first trip to Portugal.
I'm not even sure he remembers much about going to Florida!He certainly remembers his second trip to Portugal last year.
Much as I love the coast of Britain and we've spent many happy holidays in Cornwall over the years-you cannot guarantee good weather. However, despite the cold, I did manage to paddle last time we had a holiday there back in 2005 (if I'm wrong on the date I'm sure Beccy will put me right). Much of the summer when I'm home alone you will find me pottering about in my own back yard and if there is a good sunset I'm happy.

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else spends their summer

Archives:
2008: Blurberries-Home grown fruit is best
2007: Views of Niagara Falls

Coincidence or telepathy!

2009-07-12T06:44:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I agreed to take my friend Tina to the cash and carry and as I got into her car she was laughing. I didn't immediately realise why until she pointed out that we were wearing the same colours, albeit the other way round thank goodness! I haven't worn these turquiose trousers or the black shirt for ages so goodness knows what made me opt for them today.

Neither of us like having our photos taken but I caught her when I settled her down for a cup of tea. I even practised using the timer on the camera for the first time ever. Not the most flattering picture so lucky not many people will see it.

Archives:
2008: Friday 40 Photo Challenge-10 Bicycles
2007: The Historic Town of Unionville

Caught in the act

2009-07-11T08:25:00.003+01:00

Yesterday as I arrived home from a trip to the dentist with my mother (she now has teeth that actually fit so she has no excuse for not wearing them!) I got out of the car and immediately noticed Tog nibbling away at the overhanging sprouting plants.

Naturally as a dedicated blogger I whipped out my camera, thinking the perfect shot for a short Saturday post.Oh and in case you think she's very clever, the holey pattern in the leaf is the artwork of the Cabbage White caterpillars!
Have a great weekend. Embee is out for the day and I've agreed to take my friend to the cash and carry I must be mad on a Saturday when it will be busy.

Archives:
2008: Slives Portugal-3
2007: Witty Wednesday-12

China # 11 Yangtze River Cruise part 1

2009-07-10T05:18:00.006+01:00

The four nights (but really three days) that we spent on the Yangtze River was another memorable part of my trip to China. The river originates from a trickling spring on the Quighai Plateau in Tibet and it then travels over 6,300km where it runs into the ocean at Shanghai. It is estimated that more than 10% of the world population live alongside its banks. This is really amazing when you think about it. Many people are living by clearing and cultivating the land, and fishing in the same way they have done for generations.

We flew from Shanghai to Yichang and then transferred to our cruise ship by coach where we spent four nights cruising down the Yangtze. Before we set sail we visited the dam project site and this was the only wet day that we experienced. We then sailed through Xiling Gorge, the site for the Three Gorges Dam Project (I'll cover that on a different post). The pictures below are just a selection taken as we sailed through the various gorges enjoying the beautiful scenery.This is a couple of photos of our cruise ship, 'The Blue Whale'. It was actually very comfortable, the cabins were not as small as we were led to believe and they were serviced twice a day. However they managed that much laundry twice a day is a mystery to me, but I'm not complaining.As well as lots of cruise boats you also see boats of all shapes and sizes as a lot of cargo is moved on the river including coal for the industries that border the river.
We passed many villages along the river. We passed under quite a few different styles of bridges as you can see below.
This hotel could be reached by cable car or by climbing masses of steps. I know which method I would use!Above is an unfinished 5 star hotel overlooking Fengdu. Apparently they ran out of money but personally I think it looks hideous. Just found another view and it still doesn't look right.

If anyone has managed to plough through all these photos, I hope I have managed to give you a taste of the scenery we saw as we sailed along the Yangtze. You might have noticed in a couple of the shots how the sides of the mountains have been terraced and cultivated. We saw pagodas that looked as though they were perched high in the trees (paths not visible from the river). We saw monkeys feeding on rocks, we heard rather than saw the parrots that frequent one area. We also saw the industrial areas where factories belched out fumes and other places coal was being loaded down shoots into barges.
In some areas the cloud descended but for most parts of the day it was really sunny and warm so it was an enjoyable cruise.

Are you fed up with yet there's a lot more to come!

Archives:
2008: Award
2007: Arriving in Toronto

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 3 and French Beans

2009-07-09T15:16:00.010+01:00

Today was going to be another China post but I have quite finished uploading pictures, so instead it's a bit of an update

Have you been wondering if I'm sitting on the new decking yet, well the answer is no although there has been a little progress. Some of the gaps in the underneath areas have been filled, the walls have been cleaned and painted and the support beams have been fitted. Yesterday evening EmBee was cutting the timber to the correct lengths and pondering on the width of the gaps. He has now decided, that he will need two more boards which he can't get until tomorrow. He is out all day Saturday, so realistically I can't see this being finished in time for me to treat the finished deck before I go to Dublin to visit Beccy next Wednesday.

N.B. That means it will need to be covered to keep it dry until I return...wonder if EmBee has considered this!

Oh and by the way.... we are going to have a fun trip while I'm in Ireland so hopefully there will be photos!

Also thought I would share the first picking of our French beans.
I'm looking forward to these and I won't need to share them because EmBee is going out for dinner straight from work.

Archives:
2008: Special Greetings to Nikki + Witty Wednesday-55
2007: Fun Monday-24

Witty Wednesday # 103 Who's naughty!!!!

2009-07-08T06:07:00.002+01:00

Thanks for the laughs Daffy how clever am I, that I blame others for the risqué jokes.

It's all downhill to the weekend have a fun day.

Archives:
2008: Storks of Silves-Portugal-2
2007: The Weary Wanderer Returns

China # 10 The Great Wall

2009-07-07T10:23:00.002+01:00

The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000 years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty (221 B.C - 206 B.C.). In Chinese the wall is called "Wan-Li Qang-Qeng" which means 10,000-Li Long Wall (10,000 Li = about 5,000 km).

After uniting China from seven Warring States, the emperor connected and extended four old fortification walls along the north of China that originated about 700 B.C. (over 2500 years ago). Armies were stationed along the wall as a first line of defense against the invading nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes north of China (the Huns). Signal fires from the Wall provided early warning of an attack.

The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth. It was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long. Its thickness ranged from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added.
It is an amazing construction but it's estimated that several million Chinese lost their lives in the construction of this project. It also was guarded by about a million men during the Ming Dynasty. All along the wall at frequent intervals are the old watch towers. As we approached the wall this is one of the first views I got (taken on phone camera).
What you can't see from the photos is that the steps vary in height and this does make it quite difficult to get into a rhythm for climbing and descending.

I only went up a couple of levels and there were hand rails for poor old souls like me. Very rusty handrails that left you with bright orange hands at the end of the descent.The views are well worth the climb.
Two of our party dressed in tradition costumes.

Archives: 2008: Fun Monday-73 Fishy Tale or Two
2007: No Archive

Fun Monday # 123 Independence Day

2009-07-06T13:46:00.006+01:00

I'm not coming out to play this week but the host is Grace she wants to know how you spend your Independence Day either this year or in the past. I'm sure we are going to see a lot of great celebration pictures today.

The host for next week (13/7/09) will be Janis

Archives: 2008: Meme

2007: No Achives

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 2 Decking Boards

2009-07-02T22:22:00.001+01:00

What did I do today! In all the heat I treated the underside of the new decking boards. Big mistake because I was out there far too long in the midday sun and made myself feel a bit sick. This was one of the reasons I started this post and then didn't actually publish it until now.

Archives:
2007 + 2008: No archives

Witty Wednesday # 102

2009-07-01T10:16:00.000+01:00

Daffy These are funny thank you.

Letters to the council

Some of this is nearly English: Sentences in letters written to
councils in the UK

1.. It's the dogs' mess that I find hard to swallow

2.. I want some repairs done to my cooker as it has backfired and burnt my knob off.

3.. I wish to complain that my father burnt his ankle very badly when he put his foot in the hole in his back passage..

4.. And their 18 year old son is continually banging his balls against my fence.

5.. I wish to report that tiles are missing from the outside toilet roof. I think it was bad wind the other day that blew them off.

6..My lavatory seat is cracked, where do I stand?

7.. I am writing on behalf of my sink, which is coming away from the wall.

8.. Will you please send someone to mend the garden path. My wife tripped and fell on it yesterday and now she is pregnant.

9.. I request permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.

10.. 50% of the walls are damp, 50% have crumbling plaster, and 50% are Plain filthy.

11.. I am still having problems with smoke in my new drawers.

12.. The toilet is blocked and we cannot bath the children until it is Cleared.

13..Will you please send a man to look at my water, it is a funny colour and not fit to drink.

14..Our lavatory seat is broken in half and now is in three pieces.

15..I want to complain about the farmer across the road.. Every morning at 6am his cock wakes me up and it's now getting too much for me.

16..The man next door has a large erection in the back garden, which is unsightly and dangerous.

17..Our kitchen floor is damp. We have two children and would like a third So please send someone round to do something about it.

18..I am a single woman living in a downstairs flat and would you please do something about the noise made by the man on top of me every night.

19..Please send a man with the right tool to finish the job and satisfy my wife.

20.. I have had the clerk of works down on the floor six times but I still have no satisfaction.

21.. This is to let you know that our lavatory seat is broke and we can't get BBC2.

22.. My bush is really overgrown round the front and my back passage has fungus growing in it.

23..He's got this huge tool that vibrates the whole house and I just can't take it anymore.

***********************************

Mary & Sam, a Quickie.

The only way to pull off a Sunday afternoon quickie with their 8 year-old son in the apartment was to send him out on the balcony with a lollypop and tell him to report on all the neighbourhood activities.

He began his commentary as his parents put their plan into operation:
'There's a car being towed from the parking lot' he shouted.
'An Ambulance just drove by.'
'Looks like the Anderson's have company' he continued.
'Matt's riding a new bike ...'
'Looks like the Sanders are moving'
'Jason is on his skate board ...'

'The Coopers are having sex!!'
Startled, his Mum and Dad shot up in bed!

Dad cautiously called out 'How do you know they are having sex?'

'Jimmy Cooper is on his balcony with a lollipop.'

******************************

Archives:
2007, 2008: No Archives

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 1

2009-06-30T22:44:00.009+01:00

Last weekend we embarked on a new project and not one that we really imagined we would be doing. I think I mentioned earlier in the year that Embee painted the railings around our little balcony at the rear of our house. Once he'd finished painting I then cleaned the decking, in doing this I noticed that some of the supports were beginning to rot and had some wood worm. At first we thought it was just the exterior pieces of wood that could easily be replaced. However once these were removed we realised that we would need to lift some of the decking and check further. I expect you've guessed by now that we eventually discovered, it was not a simple task. The current decking, which is solid mahogany, had been so well laid (by Embee) it could not be easily removed without damage, so the whole lot had to come up and everything is being replaced.
The quality of the new decking is nothing like as superior as the old and I'm not sure that I will really like it. I've been trying to remember just how long it has been down but it's certainly not the 20 yrs Embee thought it would last. I remember him saying it would see us out- well he got that wrong! The start of the task.Not looking good!Out with the old, even the good stuff.Some things are best done sitting down. and on Sunday evening you are left with a gaping hole.

Of course I then decided that we should clean and repaint the walls, and I know it will not be seen but it will certainly tidy it up nicely. Yesterday I scrubbed the walls with bleach to get rid of the mould and Embee has given them a couple of coats of masonary paint and they look so much better, despite the rainstorms we had last night.

I meant to take a picture this evening but forgot. All the old wood is being recycled to a pal of Embee's who is using it to fuel his wood burner so that's good.

The timber decking needs to fully dry out before I can treat it and with thunderstorms every night I have no idea how long this will take.

Next stage is the fix the supports...so to be continued.

Archives:
2007 & 2008: No Archives

Fun Monday # 122 Handbags

2009-06-29T08:23:00.010+01:00

Sorry I'm so late in posting this it was almost finished but I to go and collect my grandson and his girlfriend, who had been to see the Banksy Exhibition. Then it was time to cook dinner. I then got sidetracked by a few games of the Murray tennis match. Embee then told me the grandson intended to borrow a pair of his shorts until he went into town and bought a pair tomorrow. This was not going to happen so off we went to the local supermarket and found a pair of shorts for Dillon. Then I just had to watch the remainder of the Murray match which he just managed to win in the 5th set. What a relief!

Now to this weeks challenge:

The Church Lady wants to see a photo of our purse (here we call it a handbag) and she wants us to describe what's inside. She asks:
Do you carry everything but the kitchen sink? Or, do you prefer to go light and carry only the necessities, such as your money and cell phone. For the men who would like to participate, post a photo of your wallet and describe what's in your wallet.

I have a very cheap little bag that I use for holidays and I haven't swapped it after my trip to to China and here it is.
As to the content I just tipped everything out and took a photo.
What can you see! Let me help:

Camera, phone, purse, wallet and cheque book, note paper, pen, sun glasses, keys, bag hook, wipes, tissues, toilet paper, sewing kit, plasters, tooth picks, sun screen, mouth freshener, paracetamol, gaviscon tablets, fold up shopping bag, comb and compact mirror.
All very boring stuff- no make up I've become allergic to many things so have given up except for moisturiser.
It's pretty similar to a previous post (about things I don't leave home without) except I have a different camera and phone.

Related post:
Fun Monday-39

That's me done I know some of you have already visited so thank you for dropping by in case you don't manage to get back. I'll be over to visit as soon as I can to see what everyone else is carrying in their purses.

Archives:
No Archives

Breakfast outside

2009-06-28T18:42:00.006+01:00

Today was the first time that I have taken my breakfast outside, it was a perfect morning, not too hot and the birds were singing. I knew I had to make the most of it as I had a very busy day ahead of me, but that's for another post!

Archives:
2007 + 2008: No archives

Loganberry Jam

2009-06-27T18:59:00.003+01:00

Today I picked a couple of pounds of loganberries (from our garden) and on the spur of the moment decided to make some jam. Where does one go to get a recipe...why google of course and I was spoiled for choice. They were all very similar so I opted for one that came from 'Old Australian Food Recipes' mainly because it was so simple.

Loganberry Jam:

Ingredients:
1 1b. loganberries,
1 1b. sugar (I used a few ounces less sugar as I didn't want it too sweet)

Method:
Pick berries over, removing any stalks, weigh, then wash very gently, place in preserving pan, crushing a few to draw sufficient juice before cooking, bring slowly to boil and cook 10 to 15 minutes, add sugar, boil rapidly till a little will set when tested on a saucer, pour into hot jars and seal.

I did actually over cook it because I was chatting to my daughter on the phone but it still tasted just fine to me.

Archives:
2008: Postcard from the Algarve
2007: I'm off on holiday today + Witty Wednesday-11

My new acquisition....

2009-06-26T22:04:00.004+01:00

Look what I have just acquired, it may not look much but it is a very useful portable table. I rang and placed an order for this and a few other items from Lakeland yesterday afternoon. I could not believe my eye when I got up this morning and found a package leaning up against the inside of my back gates.

I knew what it was immediately-it had been delivered by Parcel Force and clearly I didn't hear the bell although something did wake me up around 7am. The gates, are quite high, and were locked so the delivery guy must have had pretty long arms or a step ladder to have got the package in the position I found it!
Anyway I'm very impressed with the quick service, especially as I was quoted about 5 days for delivery. Now I wonder when the other items will arrive!

I have already put the table to good use as you can see.

Archives:
2007: A pigeon came calling

What will I be when I grow up?

2009-06-25T21:19:00.004+01:00

This is one of the little monsters who have been eating our vegetables. They clearly think our few precious plants are a gourmet meal. I'm not up on my butterflies but I think it is probably going to be a Cabbage White...that's if it lives that long, which is unlikely!

Archives:
2007: Fun Monday-22 Bookshelves

Witty Wednesday # 101

2009-06-24T08:22:00.011+01:00

I would like to state the jokes are not meant to offend anyone and nor is the language so I'm apologising in advance.

Daffy forwarded me these:

Friends:

Englishman v Frenchman:

An Englishman is having breakfast, in Paris , one morning (coffee, croissants, bread, butter and jam) when a Frenchman, chewing bubble-gum, sits down next to him. The Englishman ignores the Frenchman who, nevertheless, starts a conversation.

Frenchman: 'You English folk eat the whole bread??'

Englishman (in a bad mood): 'Of course.'

Frenchman: (after blowing a huge bubble) 'We don't. In France , we only eat what's inside. The crusts we collect in a container, recycle it, transform them into croissants and sell them to England .' The Frenchman has a smirk on his face.

The Englishman listens in silence.

The Frenchman persists: 'Do you eat jam with the bread??'

Englishman: 'Of Course.'

Frenchman: (cracking his bubble-gum between his teeth and chuckling).

'We don't. In France we eat fresh fruit for breakfast, then we put all the peels, seeds, and leftovers in containers, recycle them, transform them into jam, and sell the jam to England.'

After a moment of silence, The Englishman then asks: 'Do you have sex in France?'

Frenchman: 'Why of course we do', he says with a big smirk.

Englishman: 'And what do you do with the condoms once you've used them?'

Frenchman: 'We throw them away, of course'

Englishman: 'We don't. In England, we put them in a container, recycle them, melt them down into bubble-gum, and sell them to France.'
******************************
From Embee (not sure if I've used this one before!):

The hair cut:

One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he
asked about his bill and the barber replies, 'I cannot accept money
from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was
pleased and left the shop.

When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a
'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door..

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his
bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm
doing community service this week.' The cop is happy and leaves the
shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank
you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when
he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept
money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The professor
is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank
you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve
Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful.'

Then, a Member of Parliament comes in for a haircut , and when he goes
to pay his bill the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from
you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Member of Parliament
is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen
Members of Parliament lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between
the citizens of our country and the Members of Parliament
****************************
This made me chuckle:

Have a good day, we are having some exceptionally hot weather at the moment so it feels like summer is here at last.

Archives:
2007: Few words needed

China #9 View from The Jin Mao Tower

2009-06-23T11:41:00.002+01:00

To get a bird's eye view you need to take the elevater to the top of The Jin Mao Tower
Looking from the top of this across to the top of the Shanghai World Financial Centre makes it look very close. Now don't you think it resembles 'a giant bottle opener'! The original design was for a 'circle' but there was a very good reason why the Chinese wouldn't approve of that design (link will explain if you are interest).
Once you get to the the viewing area you can walk around but there is no outside viewing gallery so all the pictures are taken through glass. Oriental Pearl TV Tower
It was quite hazy and the colour variation on different cameras is quite marked (not sure I altered mine for the better).This last picture is the view looking down to the ground floor from the centre of the tower.It made me feel a bit wobbly looking down there!

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-72 My wardrobe re-visited
2007: Meme

Fun Monday # 120 Food Glorious Food

2009-06-22T20:11:00.000+01:00

Our hostess this week is Margaret and she wants to talk about food; what could be better a topic close to my heart! She says:

If you could choose one “main course” item and one dessert item that would, just for you, contain zero calories for the rest of your life (or zero cholesterol, zero points, or whatever your most important dietary measure is)…what would you choose? Post a pic of your chosen items if you like, or just make us drool with a description!

Now all the food I like is very calorific so this would be the perfect answer to my dietary requirements.....choosing just one dish has been really difficult so I'm going with a traditional English roast beef dinnerthen again does that beat home made fish and chips....not sure!!
I have used these collages before so some of you may remember them.

As for dessert well I guess it will be ice cream and I've chosen just two flavours of
Chocolate and Mint Choc Chip

Sadly I can feel my waist expanding as I write; I know I will be drooling when I come visiting but it's lovely to dream.

Archives:
2007: Greetings from the Dordogne

Summer Solstice on Father's Day

2009-06-21T12:34:00.007+01:00

Today a lot of people celebrated the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge by watching the sun rise. I did take a peep out of my window just after 5am this morning but it was quite cloudy so I couldn't actually take a picture of the sunrise.
I always look forward to the longest day when it will stay light until around 10pm. It would be lovely to be able to sit outside and watch the sun go down but I have to say it's actually not that warm today and the sun is not even showing itself at the moment. I don't know about you but I get to this time of the year and feel that we haven't yet had that much good weather, I'm sure we were promised a heatwave this year!!!!!

Embee was delighted to get this little anecdotal book and some diabetic mint truffles from Beccy he's just said:
"I will have to have a choc to stave off my hunger" OK I can take a hint and as it's Father's Day I'll let it pass.

I was practising with my photoshop elements this morning after taking a picture of this Himalayan Honeysuckle which is looking very pretty at the moment.

Wishing all Fathers a very Happy Day.

Archives:
2008: No Archive
2007: My Mate + Summer Solstice

Marley and Me and Dillon makes Three!

2009-06-20T15:00:00.005+01:00

Ages ago I sent away for a free little Marley and at the same time I was able to buy the larger one for just £3 which is very reasonable. I suddenly remembered last Wednesday that it was over a month since I placed the order and I hadn't received it. Would you believe it was delivered that day!
It is my intention to put the small one into my shoe box collection (for Romanian children) and the larger one was going to a Christmas appeal for soft toys for Women's Refuges. However now I've seen how cute it is I'm thinking do I want to part with it. I know, come the time, I will happily hand it over. However, in the mean time I can enjoy having a dog about the house again!

Last night my mobile phone rang at 11pm. I rarely get any calls on my mobile in the daytime let alone late at night. It was lucky I was still downstairs or I might have missed the call from my eldest grandson. He was ringing to see if he could come and stay again for a few days (I think with girlfriend). He is very eager to see the "Banksy Exhibition" at Bristol Museum and he'll away when his mum and younger siblings come in August. Although I realise he's not really coming to see us, I'm delighted that we'll get to see him for a few days at the end of the month.
Now I'll have to start planning a menu so Dillon if you see this let me know what meals you fancy!

Archives:
No Archive 2008
2007: Witty Wednesday-10

I'm confused!!

2009-06-19T11:30:00.001+01:00

My mother has her repeat prescription delivered from the pharmacy attached to the surgery. Yesterday when they were delivered, one item was missing and when my mother rang to find out the reason the answer left her puzzled.
Apparently the person she spoke to did not speak very good English, now as my mother is somewhat deaf you can imagine this is not a good combination. She often gets the wrong end of the stick so when she said that she had been told not to worry but just take an extra one of her other heart tablets, I really thought she's got that wrong. She said that she had only spoken to a relief pharmacist, that convinced me there must have been some misunderstanding. I offered to go to the surgery and find out what was happening, but as she still has a weeks supply it didn't seem that urgent.

I confess I thought no more about it but when I returned from running errands this morning, my mother greeted me with..."I've rung the pharmacy and spoken to someone else, who said yes they were stopping those tablets but to finish using the current packet"
My mother said she asked if she didn't need them why had she been prescribed them for years and the person couldn't answer this question. This seems really odd so I think that we will have to taking another trip to the doctor to get some answers...after all is it now the pharmacy who decide what medication a patient need or has the GP changed the medication without telling my mother; has she been wrongly prescribed for years; or has my mother just misunderstood...your guess is as good as mine but I think we need some sort of explanation. So next task is getting an appointment with the doctor and you know how difficult that is!!!

Archives:
2008: Portugal here we come
2007: Meme Eight Random Facts

China # 8 Pandas at Chengdu

2009-06-18T06:00:00.003+01:00

You cannot go to China and not visit the pandas just outside the city of Chengdu, at the Breeding and Research Centre. Everyone loves these cuddly looking animals and as they are endangered it was lovely to see the breeding programme is so successful.
There were a lot of young panda's in the reserve and it was possible, for a large sum of money, to be able to touch them, albeit with gloves to protect the animals from infection (not something I felt that comfortable about as it was a bit like exploiting the animals).

I'm not really sure what this slide show will be like; it looks good on the laptop, however, I often find once I've reduced size and uploaded the quality is lost. I'm still waiting for other people to send photos so I might have some more to show you later. In the mean time I hope you will enjoy these pictures.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-54
2007: Fun Monday-21 What hangs on my wall

Witty Wednesday # 100

2009-06-17T06:09:00.007+01:00

I can't believe I've managed to produce a 100 of these....what do you think time for a change!?

The first laugh this week is from a plurk friend 'down under'. Rantz has even set up a blog Plurkfiends for plurkers.

Priest:

A Priest was being honoured at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner.

However, the politician was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his own few words while they waited:
'I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here.I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, taken illegal drugs, and gave VD to his sister. I was appalled.
But as the days went on I learned that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.'...

Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his talk:

'I'll never forget the first day our parish Priest arrived,' said the politician. 'In fact, I had the honour of being the first person to go to him for confession.'
.
.
.
.
Moral : Never, Never, Never Be Late
*********************************
These I saw over at Merle's Third Try and she was happy for me to pass them on.

Gotta Love Little Boys:

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.
The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"
The boy replied, "Eight."
The man continued, "Do you know what these are for?"
The boy replied, "No exactly, but they aren't for me. They are for him. He's my brother and he is four. We saw on TV that if you use these, you would be able to swim, play tennis and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do none of those.
************************

A man appeared before St. Peter at the pearly gates. "Have you ever done anything
during your lifetime on earth of particular merit?" St Peter asked.

"Well, I can think of one thing," the man offered.

"On a trip to the Black Hills of Dakota, I came upon a gang of bikers, who were
threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen.

So I went up to the largest and most heavily tattooed biker and smacked him on the head
kicked his bike over, ripped off his nose ring and threw it on the ground. "I yelled,
"Now Back off.""

St Peter was very impressed. "When did this happen?" he asked.
"Couple of minutes ago."
***************************

Have a Happy Day

Ms Cellania

I hate wasting money! + Happy Birthday Fred

Archives: 2008: Fun Monday-74 Birthday Celebrations 2007: Show us your Apron +Happy Birthday Fred

Fun Monday # 124 In the summertime....

Archives: 2008: Blurberries-Home grown fruit is best 2007: Views of Niagara Falls

Coincidence or telepathy!

Archives: 2008: Friday 40 Photo Challenge-10 Bicycles 2007: The Historic Town of Unionville

Caught in the act

Archives: 2008: Slives Portugal-3 2007: Witty Wednesday-12

China # 11 Yangtze River Cruise part 1

Archives: 2008: Award 2007: Arriving in Toronto

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 3 and French Beans

Archives: 2008: Special Greetings to Nikki + Witty Wednesday-55 2007: Fun Monday-24

Witty Wednesday # 103 Who's naughty!!!!

Archives: 2008: Storks of Silves-Portugal-2 2007: The Weary Wanderer Returns

China # 10 The Great Wall

Archives: 2008: Fun Monday-73 Fishy Tale or Two2007: No Archive

Fun Monday # 123 Independence Day

Archives: 2008: Meme

2007: No Achives

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 2 Decking Boards

Archives: 2007 + 2008: No archives

Witty Wednesday # 102

Archives: 2007, 2008: No Archives

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 1

Archives: 2007 & 2008: No Archives

Fun Monday # 122 Handbags

Archives: No Archives

Breakfast outside

Archives: 2007 + 2008: No archives

Loganberry Jam

Archives: 2008: Postcard from the Algarve 2007: I'm off on holiday today + Witty Wednesday-11

My new acquisition....

Archives: 2007: A pigeon came calling

What will I be when I grow up?

Archives: 2007: Fun Monday-22 Bookshelves

Witty Wednesday # 101

Archives: 2007: Few words needed

China #9 View from The Jin Mao Tower

Archives: 2008: Fun Monday-72 My wardrobe re-visited 2007: Meme

Fun Monday # 120 Food Glorious Food

Archives: 2007: Greetings from the Dordogne

Summer Solstice on Father's Day

Archives: 2008: No Archive 2007: My Mate + Summer Solstice

Marley and Me and Dillon makes Three!

Archives:No Archive 2008 2007: Witty Wednesday-10

I'm confused!!

Archives: 2008: Portugal here we come 2007: Meme Eight Random Facts

China # 8 Pandas at Chengdu

Archives: 2008: Witty Wednesday-54 2007: Fun Monday-21 What hangs on my wall

Witty Wednesday # 100

Archives: 2008: Trying to stop Thieves 2007: Father's Day

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-74 Birthday Celebrations
2007: Show us your Apron +Happy Birthday Fred

Archives:
2008: Blurberries-Home grown fruit is best
2007: Views of Niagara Falls

Archives:
2008: Friday 40 Photo Challenge-10 Bicycles
2007: The Historic Town of Unionville

Archives:
2008: Slives Portugal-3
2007: Witty Wednesday-12

Archives:
2008: Award
2007: Arriving in Toronto

Archives:
2008: Special Greetings to Nikki + Witty Wednesday-55
2007: Fun Monday-24

Archives:
2008: Storks of Silves-Portugal-2
2007: The Weary Wanderer Returns

Archives: 2008: Fun Monday-73 Fishy Tale or Two
2007: No Archive

Archives:
2007 + 2008: No archives

Archives:
2007, 2008: No Archives

Archives:
2007 & 2008: No Archives

Archives:
No Archives

Archives:
2007 + 2008: No archives

Archives:
2008: Postcard from the Algarve
2007: I'm off on holiday today + Witty Wednesday-11

Archives:
2007: A pigeon came calling

Archives:
2007: Fun Monday-22 Bookshelves

Archives:
2007: Few words needed

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-72 My wardrobe re-visited
2007: Meme

Archives:
2007: Greetings from the Dordogne

Archives:
2008: No Archive
2007: My Mate + Summer Solstice

Archives:
No Archive 2008
2007: Witty Wednesday-10

Archives:
2008: Portugal here we come
2007: Meme Eight Random Facts

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-54
2007: Fun Monday-21 What hangs on my wall

Archives:
2008: Trying to stop Thieves
2007: Father's Day