Michelle has gone shopping in Norwich today, and is hoping to find some good bargains. She is counting the days - 9 - until she comes home for good. She loved the job in Great Yarmouth, and wants to find a similar job down here.
Caelyn and Nigel were planning to go to Maidstone to see if they can find a suitable, stable pushchair for Wendy, that has handles high enough to be comfortable for Caelyn. They have a Hauck Jeep Travel System, but it has been a great disappointment. The tyres are faulty and keep going flat so they have to carry a pump with them wherever they go. Because it is such a hassle, they have only used it about 7 or 8 times. To buy new tyres will cost just over £50 each, which is ridiculous. I think the factory should exchange it for them. It was hardly cheap, so they quite reasonably expected it to be manufactured to a higher quality than that!
My Mum got Wendy a lovely toy Giraffe and some really cute clothes. She is restitching the joins in Wendy's blanket, because Wendy loves it and likes to have it when she sleeps. She is also knitting her a poncho as the other poncho has been a success story. She is also knitting a cardigan for her.
I don't feel well. Everyone went home early last night so that I could go to bed. Today I'm off to Sean's as it is Elise, his French Goddaughter's last weekend here and we plan to take her to the Spotted Dog for lunch tomorrow. Then Sean and Elise will go to London to see the Holbein Exhibition. Sean is very good about my limitations these days and if I tell him I need to take it easy, he understands. I'm taking my camera to get a few nice ones of Elise. They are in Cambridge today for lunch with Margaret.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
More of the same



She takes steps on her own, and has worked out the natural rhythm of walking. As far as sounds go, she already makes the whole range of Vowel sounds but today she was using a consonant W W. Isn't it amazing how much growth and learning happens so quickly? If you think of the abilities of a newborn and compare them with the abilities of a baby just a few weeks older, it is astonishing to see the development.
As the Psalmist says, "Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully made!"
Baby News



Wendy is 6 and a half months old and will be 7 months old on 10 October. She is still a bit under the weather with teething, but we had a lovely time with her this evening. All the photos show how keen she is to be upright. In a couple of the photos you can see that her Mum is not holding her and that she stands unsupported for a few seconds. And she is determined to walk. My Mum who used to be a Remedial Teacher said that if she won't crawl (and she won't!) then we must read aloud to her often. Crawling is important to the development of reading skills, but what can you do with a child who refuses flat out? She has a special bellow of frustration when she wants to be on her feet and she isn't shy about using that bellow either.
Well, here are the photos. And please bear in mind that she is not yet 7 months old.
Humphrey the Downing St Cat
Under the Freedom of Information Act, various Civil Service files have been made public. The ones that I find most amusing are the files relating to Humphrey, the Downing St cat. This elegant Moggie nearly bought a Government down.
Here are some links to stories about Humphrey.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
http://tinyurl.com/gk3qe
http://tinyurl.com/q5juv
http://tinyurl.com/okhtl
http://tinyurl.com/r6qaa
http://tinyurl.com/oekab
http://tinyurl.com/pju32
Here are some links to stories about Humphrey.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
http://tinyurl.com/gk3qe
http://tinyurl.com/q5juv
http://tinyurl.com/okhtl
http://tinyurl.com/r6qaa
http://tinyurl.com/oekab
http://tinyurl.com/pju32
You won't believe this, but ....
You won't believe this, but a breakdown truck was called out to start a car and they ended up using a dog!
Look here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5382878.stm
Look here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5382878.stm
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Caelyn's Surgery Cancelled
We went to the hospital this afternoon for Caelyn to have her Wisdom Teeth out. When we got there, we were told it was cancelled! She is 20yrs old, and has been waiting to have her Wisdom Teeth out since she was 15. We weren't happy.
They have given her another appointment for Tuesday next week, and I sincerely hope they will do it then. She has a substantial amount of pain.
They have given her another appointment for Tuesday next week, and I sincerely hope they will do it then. She has a substantial amount of pain.
Dog story in Newspaper
After Brakkie's attack, when I had calmed down, I realised that there were people who needed to be thanked for their help, so I wrote to the editor of the local newspaper asking him to publish a letter of thanks as I did not know the names of most of the wonderful people involved.
To my surprise, they sent a photographer round, and today there is a nice story about it on page 2 of the Folkestone Herald. I hope that the people who well deserve thanks will see it. I thought that the way ordinary Folkestone people jumped in to help in a harrowing situation said something quite profound - that although there are always ghastly stories in the news, we should never forget just how great the 'ordinary' person is. That is something that is far too easy to lose sight of.
To my surprise, they sent a photographer round, and today there is a nice story about it on page 2 of the Folkestone Herald. I hope that the people who well deserve thanks will see it. I thought that the way ordinary Folkestone people jumped in to help in a harrowing situation said something quite profound - that although there are always ghastly stories in the news, we should never forget just how great the 'ordinary' person is. That is something that is far too easy to lose sight of.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Not very well


Caelyn and Nigel popped in for a cup of tea on their way to the hospital for Caelyn to have her kidney investigations. Wendy isn't too well - not quite herself, and still a bit inclined to feverishness. Caelyn helped me make up the big bed for her and Nigel to sleep in after she has her Wisdom Teeth out tomorrow. I will go to the hospital with them, but I am already tired after not sleeping well after Brakkie's attack, and I have to go to Sean tonight and that is always exhausting because of the stairs in his house and the bathroom being upstairs. I always come home wiped out after visiting him.
I seem to have no time to have the rest I need these days, and I must find the time or else there is a real risk of relapse and I really really don't want that!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Error
I have been looking at Shaun's Blog but Blogger keeps flagging up Error messages and won't let me post a comment. Says the technicians are aware of the problem and are working on it.
If you take a look, look at her Lions and Tigers and Goats post
It was so funny I nearly creased up laughing.
Shaun, take a look at my links. Lots of my friends have "furkid" blogs, some of which are hilarious.
If you take a look, look at her Lions and Tigers and Goats post
It was so funny I nearly creased up laughing.
Shaun, take a look at my links. Lots of my friends have "furkid" blogs, some of which are hilarious.
News
Michelle went back to Norfolk today to work her notice period, and we expect her back home on 6 October. She is feeling very fragile and broken about the Ian situation. She is in pieces, so I hope she copes with work. Hopefully it could prove a distraction.
Wendy had her first fever today - quite mild - only just above 38, but of course her mum and dad are worried. She has no other symptoms though so it could just be teething. It doesn't come at a good time though - her Mum has a radioactive kidney scan tomorrow and having 3 wisdom teeth removed the day after. Nigel is very pale and unwell too. He managed to take my bedframe apart so I will be able to put the mattress on the floor and they will be able to sleep on it here, where I will be able to look after them.
They had bought bread and milk for Nanna but just needed to get home, so Brakkie and I hopped on the Beast and took it round to her instead, and we had a lovely chatty visit.
I wrote to our local paper, asking them to thank the people who were so kind to us when Brakkie was attacked, and they asked if they could send a photographer round. He came this afternoon so Brakkie will probably be in Thursday's Folkestone Herald. It occurred to me too late that my landlord might see it and I'm not supposed to have pets here! Gulp!!! I couldn't refuse to take him in after my friend June, his previous owner, died. He is a bit daft and has separation anxiety so I couldn't let the silly little lad go to someone else. May seeing eyes become temporarily blind!
Wendy had her first fever today - quite mild - only just above 38, but of course her mum and dad are worried. She has no other symptoms though so it could just be teething. It doesn't come at a good time though - her Mum has a radioactive kidney scan tomorrow and having 3 wisdom teeth removed the day after. Nigel is very pale and unwell too. He managed to take my bedframe apart so I will be able to put the mattress on the floor and they will be able to sleep on it here, where I will be able to look after them.
They had bought bread and milk for Nanna but just needed to get home, so Brakkie and I hopped on the Beast and took it round to her instead, and we had a lovely chatty visit.
I wrote to our local paper, asking them to thank the people who were so kind to us when Brakkie was attacked, and they asked if they could send a photographer round. He came this afternoon so Brakkie will probably be in Thursday's Folkestone Herald. It occurred to me too late that my landlord might see it and I'm not supposed to have pets here! Gulp!!! I couldn't refuse to take him in after my friend June, his previous owner, died. He is a bit daft and has separation anxiety so I couldn't let the silly little lad go to someone else. May seeing eyes become temporarily blind!
Boerewors Recipe
I missed boerewors in England, so I took this recipe to my local butcher and he makes it for me regularly. In England, they do not use bonemeal because of mad cow disease so he substitues 'rusk' instead. If you can't cook boerewors over a fire, you can do it in a frying pan, but NOT how you normally cook sausages.
Put a bit of water in the bottom of the frying pan then put the wors in. When the wors is hot, prick the skin with a fork. The fat inside the wors will spray out. The water evaporates and the wors will cook in its own fat.
2kg beef, cubed
4 t salt
7 t ground coriander
2 t ground nutmeg
Half cup port or sherry
90g sausage casings
500g mutton fat cut into cubes
1 and half t pepper
1 t ground cloves
1 bulb garlic, optional
2 T bonemeal to bind.
Mix ingredients and let stand for an hour.
Mince coarsely
Stuff into casings.
Put a bit of water in the bottom of the frying pan then put the wors in. When the wors is hot, prick the skin with a fork. The fat inside the wors will spray out. The water evaporates and the wors will cook in its own fat.
2kg beef, cubed
4 t salt
7 t ground coriander
2 t ground nutmeg
Half cup port or sherry
90g sausage casings
500g mutton fat cut into cubes
1 and half t pepper
1 t ground cloves
1 bulb garlic, optional
2 T bonemeal to bind.
Mix ingredients and let stand for an hour.
Mince coarsely
Stuff into casings.
Marmelade Recipe for Shaun
Bitter Marmelade
1.5kg (3lb) fruit – approx 6 lemons, 2 oranges, 1 grapefruit
1.25 – 1.5kg sugar (21/2 – 3lb)
Water
1. Peel fruit very thinly with a sharp knife or potato peeler.
2. Cut into fine strips, and boil with 600ml (1pint) water for 1 hour.
3. Peel the pith from the fruit and throw it away.
4. Slice the fruit and add it, with the juice and pips, to the cooked peel, with a further
600ml (1 pint) water.
5. Boil until soft.
6. When cool, measure it. It will be about 1.55l (2 and ½ pints)
7. Add 1.25kg sugar and boil fast for approx half hour – 40 min.
8. Pour into hot sterile jars and cover immediately.
(You wash the jars then heat them in the oven to sterilise them. Don’t put hot marmalade into cold jars as the glass will crack)
This recipe makes 2.5kg or 5lb marmalade, which will keep for months if stored in a dry place.
1.5kg (3lb) fruit – approx 6 lemons, 2 oranges, 1 grapefruit
1.25 – 1.5kg sugar (21/2 – 3lb)
Water
1. Peel fruit very thinly with a sharp knife or potato peeler.
2. Cut into fine strips, and boil with 600ml (1pint) water for 1 hour.
3. Peel the pith from the fruit and throw it away.
4. Slice the fruit and add it, with the juice and pips, to the cooked peel, with a further
600ml (1 pint) water.
5. Boil until soft.
6. When cool, measure it. It will be about 1.55l (2 and ½ pints)
7. Add 1.25kg sugar and boil fast for approx half hour – 40 min.
8. Pour into hot sterile jars and cover immediately.
(You wash the jars then heat them in the oven to sterilise them. Don’t put hot marmalade into cold jars as the glass will crack)
This recipe makes 2.5kg or 5lb marmalade, which will keep for months if stored in a dry place.
Can't Sleep
My hips are too sore to allow me to sleep, so I thought that if I have to be awake, I might as well catch up on my correspondance, so I have done a bit of written work that I hadn't got around to doing.
I have also had a prayer time because I know so many people with pain of one sort or another:
David W, Eileen O'D, Louisa B, Phil M, Phyl W, Marie, Ans, Rachel, Tricia P, Terrie B, Lisa M, Michelle, Ian, Melanie, Steve, Elaine S, Audrey, Maggie, Carole A, Carole L, Marcus and Sylvie, Steve W, Kate, Emma C, Emma H, Emma F, Nigel, Kath P, Isabel W, Barbara D, Paul, Gary, Ann, Anne C, Jo, Tracey
and others who face agony and despair, fearing that they are abandoned to pain and loss, and those for whom there is no light at the end of the tunnel. For the depressed, the mentally ill, the homeless, for those being abused or attacked right now, and for those in their last hours on earth.
May the Comforter Comfort all such.
I have also had a prayer time because I know so many people with pain of one sort or another:
David W, Eileen O'D, Louisa B, Phil M, Phyl W, Marie, Ans, Rachel, Tricia P, Terrie B, Lisa M, Michelle, Ian, Melanie, Steve, Elaine S, Audrey, Maggie, Carole A, Carole L, Marcus and Sylvie, Steve W, Kate, Emma C, Emma H, Emma F, Nigel, Kath P, Isabel W, Barbara D, Paul, Gary, Ann, Anne C, Jo, Tracey
and others who face agony and despair, fearing that they are abandoned to pain and loss, and those for whom there is no light at the end of the tunnel. For the depressed, the mentally ill, the homeless, for those being abused or attacked right now, and for those in their last hours on earth.
May the Comforter Comfort all such.
Auntie Michelle
She is a livewire!



Wendy is an active baby who enjoys company. Later this week her Mum won't be playing with her like this because she has to have 3 wisdom teeth out. Poor Caelyn! They are doing it under local anaesthetic in the chair and personally i think that is a bad idea. She certainly won't be up to much afterwards. Having toothache has helped Caelyn be patient with Wendy cutting her teeth, as she knows how sore it can be.
And doesn't Brakkie look fine after his ordeal with the Bull Terrier?
Nearly 7 months old



She's a fiend for stealing tea. Caelyn has to have Rooibos tea now because she doesn't want Wendy having caffeine at this tender age. It is this sort of sacrifice mothers have to make that nobody warns you about! That, and missing having hot food instead of lukewarm food, having a bath in peace, reading a sentence without being disturbed etc. Caelyn says the thing she was most unprepared for about motherhood is the amount of laundry that gets generated.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Anyone for Bovril?


Dear Fat Jack is very fond of Bovril toast with thick butter. My daughter hadn't realised that I gave Jack Bovril Toast, and can you believe it? She thought it was an odd thing to do!! What is wrong with Bovril? I offered to make her some too, but she didn't want any. Dog in the manger attitude, if you ask me. Meow!!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Nursery Rhymes
Sean came to visit
Saturday, September 23, 2006
What are Grandparents?
Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little
children of her own. They like other people's.
A grandfather is a man grandmother.
Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when
we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play
hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and
have lots of quarters for us.
When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like
pretty leaves and caterpillars.
They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers
and also why we shouldn't step on "cracks."
They don't say, "Hurry up."
Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your
shoes.
They wear glasses and funny underwear.
They can take their teeth and gums out.
Grandparents don't have to be smart.
They have to answer questions like "Why isn't God married?"
and "How come dogs chase cats?"
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we
ask for the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if
you don't have television, because they are the only
grownups who like to spend time with us.
They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they
say prayers with us every time, and they kiss us even when
we've acted bad.
A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. ''Oh,'' he
said, ''she lives at the airport, and when we want her we
just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit, we
take her back to the airport.''
children of her own. They like other people's.
A grandfather is a man grandmother.
Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when
we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play
hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and
have lots of quarters for us.
When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like
pretty leaves and caterpillars.
They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers
and also why we shouldn't step on "cracks."
They don't say, "Hurry up."
Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your
shoes.
They wear glasses and funny underwear.
They can take their teeth and gums out.
Grandparents don't have to be smart.
They have to answer questions like "Why isn't God married?"
and "How come dogs chase cats?"
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we
ask for the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if
you don't have television, because they are the only
grownups who like to spend time with us.
They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they
say prayers with us every time, and they kiss us even when
we've acted bad.
A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. ''Oh,'' he
said, ''she lives at the airport, and when we want her we
just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit, we
take her back to the airport.''
Friday, September 22, 2006
Michelle
Michelle came back from Norfolk today to celebrate Ian's birthday. But her absence hasn't done them much good. She and Ian broke up yesterday and he came over today so they could say their 'goodbyes'. They are both shattered and devastated, and in a huge amount of pain and anguish. I feel so badly for both of them, and am praying that they will come to their senses because they have so much love. Too much to throw away. We are all terribly sad about it. Caelyn and I can't bear to see her hurting so much.
May God's Will be done - whatever it might be.
May God's Will be done - whatever it might be.
A handful!



This little girl is a handful! She can't be left alone for a minute because twice in the last two days, she has been sitting on the floor, but as I have mentioned many times, she is very keen to stand upright and she shows no interest in crawling. From a sitting position, she tries to get up onto her feet to stand on her own, but because she is still so young (6 and 1/2 months old) her body isn't ready to stand yet. So she then lurches forward onto her face. She hasn't hurt herself - yet.
She is a delightful baby, but she IS a handful!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
That Child!
Dear Madam Woozllum who is only six and a half months old pulled herself upright again today, and stood for a few seconds completely unsupported.
Caelyn put her down on her tummy to try to get her to crawl, and she has the hands and knees position right but thats about it! She puts up with it for a few minutes then shouts because she wants to be upright. I tell you, when that child gets mobile her parents will never know a minutes peace!
Also, when I see her, her face lights up and if I don't take her, she cries and puts out her hands and only settles when she comes to me.
What a great kid!
Caelyn put her down on her tummy to try to get her to crawl, and she has the hands and knees position right but thats about it! She puts up with it for a few minutes then shouts because she wants to be upright. I tell you, when that child gets mobile her parents will never know a minutes peace!
Also, when I see her, her face lights up and if I don't take her, she cries and puts out her hands and only settles when she comes to me.
What a great kid!
Today
A Policewoman, PC Elise Highson, came to talk to me about Brakkie's attack on Saturday. She is a dog lover too, and she thinks she knows the dog because he was involved in a fight in Augusta Gardens - IF it is the same dog. Anyway, she is going to keep me up to speed on what is going on. I don't feel vengeful towards the dog; I just want him to have to be muzzled in public places.
My new mobile handset came today. It is a bit of a brick and will take a lot of getting used to. I'm sorry my faithful familiar old Nokia 6100 died. I liked it a LOT. The new one is a Motorola flip phone V235 or something of the sort.
I had my GP appointment today and she is pleased wth my blood pressure - normal for the first time in ages - and my cholesterol is way down too. I only have to see her again in 6 months. That really is very good news.
Caelyn and Nigel took Wendy to a pub garden in the village of Wye. It backs onto the Stour River and there are loads of ducks all around the pub gardens. They enjoyed feeding the ducks. It is such a wholesome, innocent pasttime for a family. A good way to create happy memories.
Caelyn is having her Wisdom teeth out next week. Nigel is squeamish so I will go to hospital with her while he looks after Wendy. Afterwards they will come back here so I can feed her soups/custards/jellies etc for a couple of days.
My new mobile handset came today. It is a bit of a brick and will take a lot of getting used to. I'm sorry my faithful familiar old Nokia 6100 died. I liked it a LOT. The new one is a Motorola flip phone V235 or something of the sort.
I had my GP appointment today and she is pleased wth my blood pressure - normal for the first time in ages - and my cholesterol is way down too. I only have to see her again in 6 months. That really is very good news.
Caelyn and Nigel took Wendy to a pub garden in the village of Wye. It backs onto the Stour River and there are loads of ducks all around the pub gardens. They enjoyed feeding the ducks. It is such a wholesome, innocent pasttime for a family. A good way to create happy memories.
Caelyn is having her Wisdom teeth out next week. Nigel is squeamish so I will go to hospital with her while he looks after Wendy. Afterwards they will come back here so I can feed her soups/custards/jellies etc for a couple of days.
Look at the Time!
Look at the time - 04h35.
I haven't been able to sleep yet.
I haven't slept properly since the attack on Brakkie.
If this follows a 'normal' pattern, I'll conk out at about 6am then wake up feeling like death at about 10am. I asked the Police to come after 11 to give me time to wake up and bath, but I'm hoping for a delivery of a parcel that should have arrived yesterday.
I bet it turns up at 8am! And if it does, I won't be able to get back to sleep.
I really must make a plan to get this sorted out. Soon!
I haven't been able to sleep yet.
I haven't slept properly since the attack on Brakkie.
If this follows a 'normal' pattern, I'll conk out at about 6am then wake up feeling like death at about 10am. I asked the Police to come after 11 to give me time to wake up and bath, but I'm hoping for a delivery of a parcel that should have arrived yesterday.
I bet it turns up at 8am! And if it does, I won't be able to get back to sleep.
I really must make a plan to get this sorted out. Soon!
Police Coming Tomorrow
The Police have been in touch about the attack on Brakkie on Saturday. They will come to take a statement from me tomorrow or on Thursday. I'd like them to tell the owner to put a muzzle on the dog when he is in public places.
The dog can't help his genes - he was bred to be a fighting dog. And I daresay his owner loves him and doesn't want him destroyed. Neither do I. But I do want people and animals to be safe from that dog. The fact that he was able to drag a struggling Brakkie in his mouth for such a distance with his owner dragging on the lead suggests to me that he is uncontrollable as well as unpredictable. He can't help his breeding but he can't be allowed to behave like that. It is dangerous. This time, fortuitously, Brakkie was more frightened than hurt. It could have been worse though. Brakkie could have been killed. Or it could have been a child wanting to pat the 'nice doggie', or a working dog such as a guide dog for the Blind.
He really must be muzzled in public places.
The dog can't help his genes - he was bred to be a fighting dog. And I daresay his owner loves him and doesn't want him destroyed. Neither do I. But I do want people and animals to be safe from that dog. The fact that he was able to drag a struggling Brakkie in his mouth for such a distance with his owner dragging on the lead suggests to me that he is uncontrollable as well as unpredictable. He can't help his breeding but he can't be allowed to behave like that. It is dangerous. This time, fortuitously, Brakkie was more frightened than hurt. It could have been worse though. Brakkie could have been killed. Or it could have been a child wanting to pat the 'nice doggie', or a working dog such as a guide dog for the Blind.
He really must be muzzled in public places.
Growing so Fast


This little girl is growing so fast. She is 6 and a half months old. Yesterday and today she pulled herself up to a standing position and held it for a few seconds each time. If you have been reading the Blog, you will know that she has been insisting on standing for months and screaming with fury if she isn't allowed to. The tears turn to giggles and gurgles when she is allowed upright. But she has showed no sign of trying to crawl yet. She gets put on the floor and encouraged but she just doesn't get it. I'm quite anxious for her to crawl so that her brain gets 'wired up right' for learning to read. It has been found that crawling is really important in the development of the ability to learn to read. And all our gorgeous girl wants to do is walk. Someone, please tell her that she is too young and that she needs to get crawling sorted out first!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Brakkie had a Bath
This afternoon, I bathed Brakkie because he has fleas. There seems to be an epidemic of them at the moment. I used Flea Shapoo and sprayed him with Flea Spray afterwards. The treatment has to be repeated in 14 days.
He let me know that he wasn't enjoying the process, but he was very good. He only started to object when I used the shower spray to rinse him properly.
So, he should be a non-scratchng, sweet smelling Brak - at least for a while!
He let me know that he wasn't enjoying the process, but he was very good. He only started to object when I used the shower spray to rinse him properly.
So, he should be a non-scratchng, sweet smelling Brak - at least for a while!
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