Saturday, February 28, 2009
For Cod's sake - this is Weird!
LOST MOBILE FOUND IN FISH
A man who lost his mobile phone on a beach was amazed when it turned up in full working order a week later – in the belly of a giant cod.
Andrew Cheatle thought the handset had been swept out to sea after realising it slipped out of his pocket while he was walking his dog.
To his surprise, a week later his girlfriend Rita Smith received a call from fisherman Glen Kerley saying he’d found the phone inside a 25lb fish, reports The Sun.
Kerley had discovered the mobile when gutting a large cod for his fish stall.
When the phone was returned, Andrew dried it out and discovered that it still worked.
Fisherman Glen, of Worthing, West Sussex, told The Sun ‘Cod are greedy fish - they'll eat anything. They have big heads and big mouths. I've found plastic cups, stones, teaspoons, batteries and I've also heard of someone finding false teeth in one’.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Letter to the Bank
Letter to the bank
Dear Sirs,
In view of what seems to be happening internationally with banks at the
moment, I was wondering if you could advise me ... if one of my cheques
is returned marked 'insufficient funds,' how do I know whether that
refers to me or to you?
Yours faithfully
Dear Sirs,
In view of what seems to be happening internationally with banks at the
moment, I was wondering if you could advise me ... if one of my cheques
is returned marked 'insufficient funds,' how do I know whether that
refers to me or to you?
Yours faithfully
Thursday, February 26, 2009
My very dear Jack
Jack climbed in the window in 2003 and he decided to stay. He has been such a darling, and has always been rather podgy. We have a close bond, and the cold hand of fear is clutching at my heart.
He has lost weight, but his tummy is distended and hard. He can't jump up on things too well any more. I had decided to take him to the Vet when I get paid next week, but the old chap seems to be in some discomfort now. He will have to go to the Vet tomorrow and I will ask my son in law to take us because I will need someone if it is going to be the news that I dread.
Look at him and see what a sweetie my dear old friend is.
He has lost weight, but his tummy is distended and hard. He can't jump up on things too well any more. I had decided to take him to the Vet when I get paid next week, but the old chap seems to be in some discomfort now. He will have to go to the Vet tomorrow and I will ask my son in law to take us because I will need someone if it is going to be the news that I dread.
Look at him and see what a sweetie my dear old friend is.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Swimming
Wendy loves swimming and my mum, Josie, takes her swimming every week. Wendy has been coming on by leaps and bounds and is confident in the water.
After an hour or two, they get out and get changed then go back to Josie's house for a special ritual. Wendy gets out a small table and a small stool to sit on while her great grandma cooks her an egg with toast 'soldiers'. They have lunch; Wendy plays in the garden or they go and feed the ducks, then go back to Mum's house. Her Mum, Caelyn, is expecting their 2nd baby and she gets terribly tired, so we have advised her to stay in bed and rest for a few hours instead of trying to catch up with the housework, as it has long term benefits as opposed to clearing up and having to start from scratch again an hour or two later.
In the Changing Room ready for her swim
In distance terms, she really gets around. She is a child who needs to be active and to go outside every day, regardless of the weather. After a couple of hours of swimming, she wants to run around the garden or play 'Catch Me' or go to the swings in the park. Her mum asked me once if I thought she was hyperactive, and the answer is 'no'. She is a healthy, happy 2yr old with exuberant high spirits.
The exercise is good for both of them, and this relaxed and happy sort of event builds good relationships and happy memories. For psychosocial development, one on one time with someone who does fun stuff and thinks you are great is excellent. We call these years the 'formative' years, but do we ever stop to think what we mean when we say that? Simply, her personality, self esteem, confidence and temperament are developing. What Wendy learns now about herself and who she is in relation to others and to society in general lays the foundation for who she believes herself to be for the rest of her life. She loves her Nursery School, the families she visits with her parents and the other adults in her life, like Auntie Michelle and Richard, Sean and her granny. All of them make her know she has great personal value.
After the swim, its egg and soldiers
She eats hers then asks Josie 'Share me?' She enjoys her food and isn't fussy about what she is given. At the moment she especially loves strawberries, but she loves veggies, fruit, yoghurt, fish (unusual for her age) milk, cheese, eggs. A very mixed diet, and she enjoys it.
And here is the video, one minute long, of her time in the pool today.
After an hour or two, they get out and get changed then go back to Josie's house for a special ritual. Wendy gets out a small table and a small stool to sit on while her great grandma cooks her an egg with toast 'soldiers'. They have lunch; Wendy plays in the garden or they go and feed the ducks, then go back to Mum's house. Her Mum, Caelyn, is expecting their 2nd baby and she gets terribly tired, so we have advised her to stay in bed and rest for a few hours instead of trying to catch up with the housework, as it has long term benefits as opposed to clearing up and having to start from scratch again an hour or two later.
In the Changing Room ready for her swim
In distance terms, she really gets around. She is a child who needs to be active and to go outside every day, regardless of the weather. After a couple of hours of swimming, she wants to run around the garden or play 'Catch Me' or go to the swings in the park. Her mum asked me once if I thought she was hyperactive, and the answer is 'no'. She is a healthy, happy 2yr old with exuberant high spirits.
The exercise is good for both of them, and this relaxed and happy sort of event builds good relationships and happy memories. For psychosocial development, one on one time with someone who does fun stuff and thinks you are great is excellent. We call these years the 'formative' years, but do we ever stop to think what we mean when we say that? Simply, her personality, self esteem, confidence and temperament are developing. What Wendy learns now about herself and who she is in relation to others and to society in general lays the foundation for who she believes herself to be for the rest of her life. She loves her Nursery School, the families she visits with her parents and the other adults in her life, like Auntie Michelle and Richard, Sean and her granny. All of them make her know she has great personal value.
After the swim, its egg and soldiers
She eats hers then asks Josie 'Share me?' She enjoys her food and isn't fussy about what she is given. At the moment she especially loves strawberries, but she loves veggies, fruit, yoghurt, fish (unusual for her age) milk, cheese, eggs. A very mixed diet, and she enjoys it.
And here is the video, one minute long, of her time in the pool today.
Aww, sweet!
I'm posting these photos for no reason other than they are sweet.
Being coy in a hijacked dog bed
Making Cornish pasties
A 'hiding' game with Gummie
Being coy in a hijacked dog bed
Making Cornish pasties
A 'hiding' game with Gummie
Shrove Tuesday
Last night the family came round for Pancake Tuesday. In the beginning, everyone was tired and frazzled, but things picked up later. I made the Pancake batter in the afternoon because my recipe calls for at least an hour's standing time. Caelyn and my mother cooked them. We started off with leek and potato soup and soda bread, then the pancakes, then cheese and biscuits, then lemon meringue pie.
There is a leak under my bath so Nigel turned the hot water supply to the bath off. He is going to try and fix it, but if it doesn't work, it will be a job for a plumber.
Nigel is very good to me. Please pray for him as he has 4 major exams coming up next month.
Wendy scaring me to death
And that face, Sean?
Secrets shared
A serious conversation
Auntie Michelle and Gummie were there too.
Then tiredness struck and Wendy had a rest on uncle Richard
Monday, February 23, 2009
Worried Woman
A worried woman went to her gynaecologist and said: '
Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'
So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady:
'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued:
'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms”.
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!
If you agree, please forward. Together we can help save precious lives!
Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'
So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady:
'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued:
'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms”.
The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!
If you agree, please forward. Together we can help save precious lives!
Nine Ways of being an Accessory
Nine Ways of Being an Accessory to Another's Sin
1. By counsel
2. By command
3. By consent
6. By concealment
7. By partaking
4. By provocation
5. By praise (or flattery)
8. By silence
9. By defense of the ill done
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:
- by participating directly and voluntarily in them;
- by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
- by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
- by protecting evil-doers.
Parents should NOT tell their children what is 'right or wrong' about having sex, say ministers
The Daily Mail printed this story today with the headline
Parents should NOT tell their children what is 'right or wrong' about having sex, say ministers
This, after just last week we saw a child fathered by a child when he was only 12. So many parental rights and responsibilities are being usurped. Why on earth should a child NOT be taught the difference between right and wrong? If parents and family don't help form the conscience of a child, who will? If we don't "train up our children in the way they should go" we can't complain when they get seriously hurt by the 'if it feels good it must be good' culture.
No parent in their right mind would feel it wasn't up to them to teach a child how to cross the road. We would consider them negligent and unfit if basic road safety wasn't taught. Sex in the wrong context can be exceedingly damaging with consequences that affect generations.
Look where we have come to. We have Tower Block Tracey with her six kids by an assortment of Guest Fathers. It is that situation that is at the heart of teen gang formation and a host of related social ills such as crime, drug taking, prostitution, school failure, deprivation and a dependency on Benefits. Just think about it a bit and you'll piece it together. Tolerance has gone too far and now there are grave problems as a result.
We can't shirk our duty and stay silent and represent ourselves as Christian at the same time.
Parents should NOT tell their children what is 'right or wrong' about having sex, say ministers
This, after just last week we saw a child fathered by a child when he was only 12. So many parental rights and responsibilities are being usurped. Why on earth should a child NOT be taught the difference between right and wrong? If parents and family don't help form the conscience of a child, who will? If we don't "train up our children in the way they should go" we can't complain when they get seriously hurt by the 'if it feels good it must be good' culture.
No parent in their right mind would feel it wasn't up to them to teach a child how to cross the road. We would consider them negligent and unfit if basic road safety wasn't taught. Sex in the wrong context can be exceedingly damaging with consequences that affect generations.
Look where we have come to. We have Tower Block Tracey with her six kids by an assortment of Guest Fathers. It is that situation that is at the heart of teen gang formation and a host of related social ills such as crime, drug taking, prostitution, school failure, deprivation and a dependency on Benefits. Just think about it a bit and you'll piece it together. Tolerance has gone too far and now there are grave problems as a result.
We can't shirk our duty and stay silent and represent ourselves as Christian at the same time.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Deja Vu
When they were teenagers getting ready for a date, my girls used to jostle and preen at the mirror, screeching and squabbling over hairbrushes and blusher etc. It was highly diverting, and my friends used to come round to see it. Oh, the excitement and nervous carrying on! On Saturday, Caelyn was going to a wedding reception because she was doing the Bride's make up, and Michelle was going out to dinner with Richard, so they were getting ready together once again. It was just as diverting as in previous years, but with a little extra added pizzaz because our little Woozle had her first Apprentice Taster Session.
Well Done, Dr Myhill et al.
This announcement appears on Dr Myhill's website
BREAKING NEWS - 16th January 2009
"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction" has been published!
Our paper (authors: Prof Norman Booth of Oxford University, Dr John McLaren Howard of Acumen and myself), presenting evidence that chronic fatigue has a physical basis, has today been published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. The full text of the paper can be accessed by clicking on this link "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction"
END OF NEWSFLASH
There is a less technical article by her on THIS page
It makes a lot of sense, but if you have ME related cognitive dysfunction, it best to print the article in a font that you can cope with, and get to grips with it paragraph by paragraph. There is a wealth of useful information there but even if you are an ace at physiology, it won't be a 5 min read. It will take a big effort over weeks or months, but it is well worth it.
CONGRATULATIONS, DR MYHILL. MORE POWER TO YOU! YOUR WORK IS MUCH APPRECIATED.
BREAKING NEWS - 16th January 2009
"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction" has been published!
Our paper (authors: Prof Norman Booth of Oxford University, Dr John McLaren Howard of Acumen and myself), presenting evidence that chronic fatigue has a physical basis, has today been published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. The full text of the paper can be accessed by clicking on this link "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction"
END OF NEWSFLASH
There is a less technical article by her on THIS page
It makes a lot of sense, but if you have ME related cognitive dysfunction, it best to print the article in a font that you can cope with, and get to grips with it paragraph by paragraph. There is a wealth of useful information there but even if you are an ace at physiology, it won't be a 5 min read. It will take a big effort over weeks or months, but it is well worth it.
CONGRATULATIONS, DR MYHILL. MORE POWER TO YOU! YOUR WORK IS MUCH APPRECIATED.
Not so NICE for ME
As many of you will know, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) give guidelines to NHS doctors on how to treat patients with certain conditions.
What they have done with ME is to lump it together with all other conditions that can cause fatigue such as chemotherapy treatment in cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, heart failure, depression, end stage AIDS etc. While the fatigue is genuine in these cases, and is debilitating and serious. ME sufferers take exception to being lumped together under one umbrella. This exception is for two reasons
a) It makes it easy for the medical profession to say that it is 'all in the mind'. While mental illness is serious and debilitating, having a medical condition written off as 'all in the mind' has a direct impact on financial survival. Most health insurers will not pay out for such conditions. As soon as people hear the word 'fatigue' they think 'tired'. They then go on to think 'we all get tired, so whats the big deal?' Comparing the day to day tiredness of well people, the fatigue in ME is prostrating and akin to collapse. It is like comparing a light bulb with a nuclear reactor.
b) Lumping ME together with fatigue means that not one penny of Government money goes into ME Research. There is some brilliant work going on eg Dr Jonathan Kerr at St George's Hospital, Tooting, and Dr Jonathan Gow in Scotland. These studies are being financed by the very poor who can perhaps scrape up £2 a month. Without research, we won't get a diagnostic test or treatment that works. NICE suggest CBT, a psychological treatment designed to teach you to cheer yourself up and GET or Graded Exercise Therapy which is actively harmful to ME patients in mitochondrial failure. It could leave them semi comatose in a silent darkened room, unable to talk or feed themselves (they have to be fed by tube) or attend to any normal function at all.
Following the 'one symptom in common' logic, suppose all abdominal pain were treated the same? Just think, for a minute, of some things that could cause abdominal pain and then think if a bog standard, uniform, one-size-fits-all treatment would be a good idea: appendix, kidney stones, gall stones, kidney infection, inflammatory bowel disease, stomach ulcer, period pain, ovarian cyst, childbirth, constipation, endometriosis, colitis, pancreatitis - the list goes on. All of these people may have tummy ache, but it would be mad to try to treat constipation by doing a Caesarian Section, wouldn't it? Yet thats exactly what NICE is trying to do with ME. So you're tired? Cheer up and get some exercise!
We deserve much better than that.
Dr Myhill writes about the differences between ME and depression HERE
She explains about MITOCHONDRIAL FAILURE here.
So two ME sufferers asked for a Judicial Review in the High Court, which was heard at the Old Bailey last week. The Judge has asked for more information and is reserving his judgement. Visit the website by clicking here
What they have done with ME is to lump it together with all other conditions that can cause fatigue such as chemotherapy treatment in cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, heart failure, depression, end stage AIDS etc. While the fatigue is genuine in these cases, and is debilitating and serious. ME sufferers take exception to being lumped together under one umbrella. This exception is for two reasons
a) It makes it easy for the medical profession to say that it is 'all in the mind'. While mental illness is serious and debilitating, having a medical condition written off as 'all in the mind' has a direct impact on financial survival. Most health insurers will not pay out for such conditions. As soon as people hear the word 'fatigue' they think 'tired'. They then go on to think 'we all get tired, so whats the big deal?' Comparing the day to day tiredness of well people, the fatigue in ME is prostrating and akin to collapse. It is like comparing a light bulb with a nuclear reactor.
b) Lumping ME together with fatigue means that not one penny of Government money goes into ME Research. There is some brilliant work going on eg Dr Jonathan Kerr at St George's Hospital, Tooting, and Dr Jonathan Gow in Scotland. These studies are being financed by the very poor who can perhaps scrape up £2 a month. Without research, we won't get a diagnostic test or treatment that works. NICE suggest CBT, a psychological treatment designed to teach you to cheer yourself up and GET or Graded Exercise Therapy which is actively harmful to ME patients in mitochondrial failure. It could leave them semi comatose in a silent darkened room, unable to talk or feed themselves (they have to be fed by tube) or attend to any normal function at all.
Following the 'one symptom in common' logic, suppose all abdominal pain were treated the same? Just think, for a minute, of some things that could cause abdominal pain and then think if a bog standard, uniform, one-size-fits-all treatment would be a good idea: appendix, kidney stones, gall stones, kidney infection, inflammatory bowel disease, stomach ulcer, period pain, ovarian cyst, childbirth, constipation, endometriosis, colitis, pancreatitis - the list goes on. All of these people may have tummy ache, but it would be mad to try to treat constipation by doing a Caesarian Section, wouldn't it? Yet thats exactly what NICE is trying to do with ME. So you're tired? Cheer up and get some exercise!
We deserve much better than that.
Dr Myhill writes about the differences between ME and depression HERE
She explains about MITOCHONDRIAL FAILURE here.
So two ME sufferers asked for a Judicial Review in the High Court, which was heard at the Old Bailey last week. The Judge has asked for more information and is reserving his judgement. Visit the website by clicking here
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Recipe for Caelyn's Birthday Cake
Its called Devils Food Cake and has always been a great favourite with my girls. Essentially, its a chocolate cake. I have no idea why a chocolate cake gets called Devils Food Cake, but I assure you that is the name of it.
Devils Food Cake
INGREDIENTS:
1. 1 tablespoon vinegar
2. 1 cup evaporated milk
3. 1 1/2 cups plain flour
4. Pinch salt
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla
6. 1/2 cup cocoa
7. 2 teaspoons baking powder
8. 11/4 cup sugar
9. 2 eggs
10. 2/3 cup melted butter
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 180C
2. Add vinegar to evaporated milk to sour
3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa and sugar into a bowl
4. Add melted butter and evaporated milk and beat for 2 min
5. Add eggs, vanilla essence and beat for a further 2 min
6. Pour into 2 x 200mm (8") well greased cake tins
7. Bake at 180C for 25 - 30 min
8. Cool before removing from tins.
CARAMEL FUDGE ICING
INGREDIENTS
1. 8 tablespoons butter
2. 1 cup dark brown sugar
3. Pinch of salt
4. 2 cups icing sugar
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
6. 1/4 cup milk
METHOD
1. Place butter, brown sugar and salt in a saucepan on medium heat.
2. Stir and cook until it boils
3. Add milk and stir until it comes back to boil
4. Remove from heat
5. Add icing sugar and vanilla
6. Beat until smooth
7. Use while still warm
NOTE:
This is a loose, pourable mixture which sets on the cake.
Does a layer cake or a big 9" x 13" cake.
If the icing gets too hard to work with on the cake, use a hairdryer to melt it a bit.
Or spread it with a knife dipped in hot water.
Devils Food Cake
INGREDIENTS:
1. 1 tablespoon vinegar
2. 1 cup evaporated milk
3. 1 1/2 cups plain flour
4. Pinch salt
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla
6. 1/2 cup cocoa
7. 2 teaspoons baking powder
8. 11/4 cup sugar
9. 2 eggs
10. 2/3 cup melted butter
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 180C
2. Add vinegar to evaporated milk to sour
3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa and sugar into a bowl
4. Add melted butter and evaporated milk and beat for 2 min
5. Add eggs, vanilla essence and beat for a further 2 min
6. Pour into 2 x 200mm (8") well greased cake tins
7. Bake at 180C for 25 - 30 min
8. Cool before removing from tins.
CARAMEL FUDGE ICING
INGREDIENTS
1. 8 tablespoons butter
2. 1 cup dark brown sugar
3. Pinch of salt
4. 2 cups icing sugar
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
6. 1/4 cup milk
METHOD
1. Place butter, brown sugar and salt in a saucepan on medium heat.
2. Stir and cook until it boils
3. Add milk and stir until it comes back to boil
4. Remove from heat
5. Add icing sugar and vanilla
6. Beat until smooth
7. Use while still warm
NOTE:
This is a loose, pourable mixture which sets on the cake.
Does a layer cake or a big 9" x 13" cake.
If the icing gets too hard to work with on the cake, use a hairdryer to melt it a bit.
Or spread it with a knife dipped in hot water.
My Valentine Baby
I've done some arty effects on this photo of Sean and Wendy. We had such a happy evening then. It was a couple of weeks ago. Kate came to church with us, and afterwards Sean took Kate, Nigel, Wendy and me out for dinner at Giovannis.
Its Caelyn's birthday tomorrow, but she won't get much rest. She has to be in Hythe by 08h30 as her friend Tracey is getting married and Caelyn is doing her nails and make up and will get the veil on too. Nigel and Wendy will come here at about 9 after he has dropped Caelyn off in Hythe, and he will ice the cake I have made. Then he picks Caelyn up to go home for a rest as she is terribly tired this pregnancy and she is still throwing up every day. They come back here at 4pm to have a quiet piece of cake and a cup of tea. Then she has to be in Canterbury by 7pm to redo Tracey's make up for the evening reception, which starts at 7.30. Caelyn, Nigel and Wendy will all attend the reception so Wendy had better have an afternoon nap. Lots of the wedding guests come from far away and have children, so special arrangements have been made for children at the reception.
Tracey and Colin have organised mini buses to take people home after they have been drinking. Nigel never ever has so much as a teaspoon of alcohol when he is driving so he might take the minibus home at the end of the evening. It was very thoughtful and responsible of the bride and groom to organise it. I suspect though that Nigel will take his car and not drink because poor Caelyn is likely to be at the end of her physical endurance by then.
My mother has gone to Oxford for a Church conference so she will miss the birthday tea.
Michelle worries that her sister isn't having much of a 'birthday do' but in the circumstances, I'm not sure Caelyn is up for even a simple tea and cake party due to the exhaustion and nausea of pregnancy. Michelle is right though. Next year, God willing, we'll do something more than this.
Its Caelyn's birthday tomorrow, but she won't get much rest. She has to be in Hythe by 08h30 as her friend Tracey is getting married and Caelyn is doing her nails and make up and will get the veil on too. Nigel and Wendy will come here at about 9 after he has dropped Caelyn off in Hythe, and he will ice the cake I have made. Then he picks Caelyn up to go home for a rest as she is terribly tired this pregnancy and she is still throwing up every day. They come back here at 4pm to have a quiet piece of cake and a cup of tea. Then she has to be in Canterbury by 7pm to redo Tracey's make up for the evening reception, which starts at 7.30. Caelyn, Nigel and Wendy will all attend the reception so Wendy had better have an afternoon nap. Lots of the wedding guests come from far away and have children, so special arrangements have been made for children at the reception.
Tracey and Colin have organised mini buses to take people home after they have been drinking. Nigel never ever has so much as a teaspoon of alcohol when he is driving so he might take the minibus home at the end of the evening. It was very thoughtful and responsible of the bride and groom to organise it. I suspect though that Nigel will take his car and not drink because poor Caelyn is likely to be at the end of her physical endurance by then.
My mother has gone to Oxford for a Church conference so she will miss the birthday tea.
Michelle worries that her sister isn't having much of a 'birthday do' but in the circumstances, I'm not sure Caelyn is up for even a simple tea and cake party due to the exhaustion and nausea of pregnancy. Michelle is right though. Next year, God willing, we'll do something more than this.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Day we have been Waiting for
Today, Wednesday 11 February 2009, at Room 76, Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London WC2A 2LL, a landmark court case will be heard which will have long lasting impact for more than a million UK citizens and their families as well as being keenly watched by interested parties from all over the world.
The NHS may only treat patients in the way that NICE recommends. The ME charities have openly declared that the NICE Guidelines for the treatment of ME patients are "not fit for purpose". These guidelines are being challenged in a test case by two UK ME sufferers.
A better explanation, along with a short video, can be seen here
The NHS may only treat patients in the way that NICE recommends. The ME charities have openly declared that the NICE Guidelines for the treatment of ME patients are "not fit for purpose". These guidelines are being challenged in a test case by two UK ME sufferers.
A better explanation, along with a short video, can be seen here
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Day One
Today I started a weight loss diet. I am morbidly obese with a BMI of 36. I have so much weight to lose that even thinking of how much has to come off makes me demoralised, so I have set myself an achievable target. The target is to lose 2kg. I weighed myself at the chemist and will do so again on Tuesday 24 Feb.
The diet works in 15 day cycles. 11 days of strict menus followed by 3 days of eating normally but sensibly. I'm giving it a go because I can put up with anything for 11 days. After that, if I have lost weight, I will do another 11 day cycle.
Today I can have shrimps, tuna, chicken, cashew nuts, fresh plums, roast beef slices, peanuts, cottage cheese, bacon and fresh peaches. I don't have to have all of them, but I have to have 4 meals a day and leave at least 3 hours in between meals. I can eat as much as I like at mealtimes but although I must be 'satisfied', I must not stuff myself. I have to drink extra water too, but that won't be difficult as I'm always thirsty anyway.
These are the possible pitfalls
1. Carbohydrates are cheap and I have a lot of them due to poverty as well as liking. I will miss them.
2. Side effect of my medication is weight gain.
3. Can't exercise a lot due to ME.
4. Menopausal women tend to put on weight.
So I don't expect to lose weight at the rate a fit young lass would. I expect the loss to be slower and less easy. Although it will be difficult, it won't be impossible. I'll just have to persevere, and its only for 11 days anyway. On Saturday its my daughter's birthday and of course I will have a slice of cake with her. But I won't go overboard.
Wish me luck!
Tomorrow is almost entirely fruit with the exception of two normal slices of bread with deli roast beef.
The diet works in 15 day cycles. 11 days of strict menus followed by 3 days of eating normally but sensibly. I'm giving it a go because I can put up with anything for 11 days. After that, if I have lost weight, I will do another 11 day cycle.
Today I can have shrimps, tuna, chicken, cashew nuts, fresh plums, roast beef slices, peanuts, cottage cheese, bacon and fresh peaches. I don't have to have all of them, but I have to have 4 meals a day and leave at least 3 hours in between meals. I can eat as much as I like at mealtimes but although I must be 'satisfied', I must not stuff myself. I have to drink extra water too, but that won't be difficult as I'm always thirsty anyway.
These are the possible pitfalls
1. Carbohydrates are cheap and I have a lot of them due to poverty as well as liking. I will miss them.
2. Side effect of my medication is weight gain.
3. Can't exercise a lot due to ME.
4. Menopausal women tend to put on weight.
So I don't expect to lose weight at the rate a fit young lass would. I expect the loss to be slower and less easy. Although it will be difficult, it won't be impossible. I'll just have to persevere, and its only for 11 days anyway. On Saturday its my daughter's birthday and of course I will have a slice of cake with her. But I won't go overboard.
Wish me luck!
Tomorrow is almost entirely fruit with the exception of two normal slices of bread with deli roast beef.
Announcing
Blogger restricts the number of pictures permitted on a Blog, and I don't have much photo space left, and I have wondered what to do.
This might not be the final decision, as I will see how things go. I have a few pages on Piczo, which is mostly for teenagers. I have been putting things there
a) because the space for pics is not limited there
b) it allows me to experiment with web layouts. I'm not very good yet but I have already learned a couple of things by trial and error.
c) I want to keep using the Blog but I also want to put some pics on the web for our family overseas to see. This is especially important in areas of Africa where the postal service is unreliable to say the least.
These pages are under construction. I am still on a learning curve, and in the end I might decide that I should delete the piczo site and come up with another plan. Having said all that, the pages are susiesmuses.piczo.com
This might not be the final decision, as I will see how things go. I have a few pages on Piczo, which is mostly for teenagers. I have been putting things there
a) because the space for pics is not limited there
b) it allows me to experiment with web layouts. I'm not very good yet but I have already learned a couple of things by trial and error.
c) I want to keep using the Blog but I also want to put some pics on the web for our family overseas to see. This is especially important in areas of Africa where the postal service is unreliable to say the least.
These pages are under construction. I am still on a learning curve, and in the end I might decide that I should delete the piczo site and come up with another plan. Having said all that, the pages are susiesmuses.piczo.com
Friday, February 06, 2009
Mischief!
Our little Woozle has long since grown out of her infant car seat and it 'lives' in my lounge with a couple of dolls in it. She loves playing in it, and tonight she had her dad carrying her around in it like a carry cot. Her motive soon became clear: she wanted him to rock her on the kitchen floor. Nigel, being the nice man that he is, rocked her for ages, and as you can see by her face, she loved it.
An important lesson learned.
Our Wendy a while back learned how to open the clips of the harness that kept her securely in her car seat, and it was scary. We have all had to deal with it, and on one occasion she was spanked because she got out of her car seat and tried to open the car door while the car was moving.
(As an aside, spanking is the last resort and only used to reinforce very serious lessons like this one. She had undone her seat straps several times over a period of weeks and had been scolded and firmly told off. This event was a bridge too far and the spanking worked because nothing like this has happened since. It was considered that it was a lesson that was essential for safety sake, and we are sorry it took a spanking to get the lesson home.)
She had three of her dolls on the back seat and when the car began moving she became upset and began shouting "Stop, daddy, stop. Baby not safe. Stop, daddy. Baby!" So Nigel stopped the car and fastened Wendy's 'babies' with the seat belt, and she was satisfied so Nigel was allowed to drive on. It was a funny and endearing little incident, but it was also reassuring that the lesson really has sunk in.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Good Advice from Grandad
My grandfather Percy used to say that whatever we do, we are creating memories. He advised making sure that we created as many happy memories as possible, and to treasure them.
He was right. Everyone goes through dark times as part of normal life. If you take care to treasure your happy memories in the form of a diary or photos or whatever medium you enjoy using, you can look back at happier times and be comforted. For our family, that is mostly the rationale for the Blog. Now that we are expecting a new baby in May, it is good to look back and see the photos of Wendy when she was tiny.
Last Saturday
I haven’t been keeping up with my Blog very well, but we had such a lovely evening last Saturday that I thought it was worth blogging about even if it is a bit after the event.
Sean tries to arrive in time for us to go to Mass on Saturday evening. He was downcast in spirits due to being out of sorts with one of his sisters. He hates being out of sorts with anyone, and he has spent a lot of time trying to work out how to put things right and he was preoccupied with this and needed some distraction.
Caelyn and Nigel had popped in to my house to drop something off and they were still there when Sean came. Caelyn came to Mass with us while Nigel stayed behind to look after Wendy. It was a holy and reverent Mass and all three of us went up for a Blessing.
We went back home to get Nigel and Wendy, then went to dinner at Giovanni’s. It was wonderful - great food freshly prepared and at a reasonable price, in a buzzing and happy atmosphere. Wendy soon charmed our Italian hosts, who were very sweet to her. She was actually very well behaved and we all enjoyed the evening. We wouldn’t normally take her out to a restaurant in the evening, but she had had a long sleep in the afternoon.
The evening was spontaneous, and we hadn’t planned any of it. It was just one of those things that ‘happened’ and it was special and happy.
I have made a Collage to help us remember the good time we had together. I’m pleased to say it did Sean’s heart a lot of good.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Selfish parents Damage Childhood
Selfish adults 'damage childhood'
By Mark Easton
BBC News Home Editor
The aggressive pursuit of personal success by adults is now the greatest threat to British children, a major independent report on childhood says.
It calls for a sea-change in social attitudes and policies to counter the damage done to children by society.
Family break-up, unprincipled advertising, too much competition in education and income inequality are mentioned as big contributing factors.
The report, called The Good Childhood Inquiry and commissioned by the Children's Society, concludes that children's lives in Britain have become "more difficult than in the past", adding that "more young people are anxious and troubled".
According to the panel, "excessive individualism" is to blame for many of the problems children face and needs to be replaced by a value system where people seek satisfaction more from helping others rather than pursuing private advantage.
The panel, made up of 11 experts including eight university professors, says its conclusions are evidence based. But some of its findings on family life in Britain are bound to be controversial.
Working mothers
It cites research suggesting that three times as many three year olds living with lone parents or a step-parent have behavioural problems compared with those living with married parents.
"Children with separate, single or step parents are 50% more likely to fail at school, have low esteem, be unpopular with other children and have behavioural difficulties, anxiety or depression," it argues.
The full reports can be viewed here
By Mark Easton
BBC News Home Editor
The aggressive pursuit of personal success by adults is now the greatest threat to British children, a major independent report on childhood says.
It calls for a sea-change in social attitudes and policies to counter the damage done to children by society.
Family break-up, unprincipled advertising, too much competition in education and income inequality are mentioned as big contributing factors.
The report, called The Good Childhood Inquiry and commissioned by the Children's Society, concludes that children's lives in Britain have become "more difficult than in the past", adding that "more young people are anxious and troubled".
According to the panel, "excessive individualism" is to blame for many of the problems children face and needs to be replaced by a value system where people seek satisfaction more from helping others rather than pursuing private advantage.
The panel, made up of 11 experts including eight university professors, says its conclusions are evidence based. But some of its findings on family life in Britain are bound to be controversial.
Working mothers
It cites research suggesting that three times as many three year olds living with lone parents or a step-parent have behavioural problems compared with those living with married parents.
"Children with separate, single or step parents are 50% more likely to fail at school, have low esteem, be unpopular with other children and have behavioural difficulties, anxiety or depression," it argues.
The full reports can be viewed here
Snow and Ice
I had a dental appointment today so I had to go out in this awful weather. The dog was very dejected that I wouldn't take him, but it would mean him sitting outside in the snow for however long I was in the dentist's. I stopped at Sainsburys on the way back to stock up on a few essentials - like teabags and toilet paper. One day, just one day, I would like to do some 'fun' shopping. Getting teabags, toilet paper and margarine is so very dreary.
I had to see the dentist because I had broken a filling. He took an x-ray and has booked me in for an hour next Thursday for a Root Canal treatment. I don't mind the actual dental work, but by golly, I hate the injections! That one right at the back, into the joint of the jaw - owww!!! Even worse is the one they push up through the top of the gum almost into the sinuses. Aarrrgghhhh!!!
Anyway, look at these photos. As I am posting them I'm thinking of Melanie in New Zealand and Stephen in Australia complaining about the endless heat and humidity.
I had to see the dentist because I had broken a filling. He took an x-ray and has booked me in for an hour next Thursday for a Root Canal treatment. I don't mind the actual dental work, but by golly, I hate the injections! That one right at the back, into the joint of the jaw - owww!!! Even worse is the one they push up through the top of the gum almost into the sinuses. Aarrrgghhhh!!!
Anyway, look at these photos. As I am posting them I'm thinking of Melanie in New Zealand and Stephen in Australia complaining about the endless heat and humidity.
Severe Weather
Snow has hit the UK and there is snow even in our warmer area, the South East. The BBC story is here, but I will copy and paste some snippets below. Remember that electricity and gas bills have gone up so much that most people can't afford to put the heating on. There will be deaths due to hypothermia, especially among the elderly.
Heavy snow hits much of England
Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of England, disrupting travel and closing hundreds of schools.
South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow runways.
Road and rail travel was also badly hit by up to 6in (15cm) of snow.
The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland. More snow is forecast later and on Tuesday.
Bad weather in London also forced the closure of the Old Bailey courts.
All London buses have been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions" A BBC reporter said he saw many people left confused and distressed after waiting for long periods for buses, only to see them drive past without being in service.
The snow delighted many but bought travel misery for others.
There are also problems on the London Underground and rail network.
BBC weather presenter Jay Wynne said further snow showers were expected during the morning across much of England, eastern parts of Wales and eastern parts of Scotland.
Temperatures in the afternoon would not reach above freezing, he said.
In the late afternoon, more heavy snow is forecast to hit the eastern part of England, including East Anglia, London and the Home Counties, accompanied by "strong winds, blizzard conditions.
Heavy snow hits much of England
Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of England, disrupting travel and closing hundreds of schools.
South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow runways.
Road and rail travel was also badly hit by up to 6in (15cm) of snow.
The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland. More snow is forecast later and on Tuesday.
Bad weather in London also forced the closure of the Old Bailey courts.
All London buses have been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions" A BBC reporter said he saw many people left confused and distressed after waiting for long periods for buses, only to see them drive past without being in service.
The snow delighted many but bought travel misery for others.
There are also problems on the London Underground and rail network.
BBC weather presenter Jay Wynne said further snow showers were expected during the morning across much of England, eastern parts of Wales and eastern parts of Scotland.
Temperatures in the afternoon would not reach above freezing, he said.
In the late afternoon, more heavy snow is forecast to hit the eastern part of England, including East Anglia, London and the Home Counties, accompanied by "strong winds, blizzard conditions.
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