tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140056532011-12-18T20:28:50.138ZFamily life, with photos.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.comBlogger40671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-86061547942344222742011-12-18T20:28:00.000Z2011-12-18T20:28:50.140Z

Tristan is 6 days old, and to celebrate, Sean took us out for tea. Caelyn hasn't been able to eat much for ages because the baby was squashing her stomach, so she knew what to do with this!

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-44010638229284355222011-12-18T15:27:00.000Z2011-12-18T15:27:40.261Z

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-80160968232868300612011-12-18T15:16:00.000Z2011-12-18T15:16:52.521Z

Dear Family and Friends  I’m at home at last, so let me tell you the news. Caelyn’s baby, Tristan James, was born during a gale with torrential rain on Monday 12 November.  As the winds were buffeting the car so much, they didn’t get to the hospital in time.  I had phoned ahead and Labour Ward had told me that they would examine her, but that they had no beds. They got as far as the ambulance

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-40874957151097009382011-12-16T13:54:00.001Z2011-12-16T14:51:44.211Z

Daddy, baby and toddler snoozing on a sofa.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-44221062998648219522011-12-13T10:37:00.001Z2011-12-13T10:37:45.207Z

My daughter Caelyn went into labour last night when the weather was at its worst. The wind buffeted the car so much her husband couldn't get there fast enough & she said she had to push, so Nigel pulled into the ambulance bay of William Harvey. He called to the ambulance crew. When they came over, they could see his head. A doctor & midwife came running. Caelyn was on the back seat of the car &

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-22387087526761935852011-12-13T00:22:00.001Z2011-12-13T00:22:27.636Z

At about 10 pm on Monday 12 December, Caelyn had a son. He weighs 2.3 kg or 5 lb 12 oz, and he and his mum are both well. When they left for the hospital, Caelyn asked me to phone to say they were en route. The midwife said they would examine her but they had NO BEDS AVAILABLE. Then I had a call from my mum & I was expecting her to say they were being sent to another hospital, but she very

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-1021349848234122732011-12-10T14:55:00.001Z2011-12-10T14:57:25.498Z

I use a Vodafone PAYG Sim when I go to France or any other place out of the UK, because I'm nervous of the bills should I take my contract phone out of the country.  As I don't use Vodafone every day, I keep the sim in a purse in my drawer.  My little granddaughter played with the purse, the sim fell out and Benny chewed it up so its not usable any more.  I wanted my credit and calling features

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-43225740151070132472011-11-21T15:26:00.000Z2011-11-21T15:26:17.380Z

This, apparently is an actual letter received by the UK Passport Office. Dear Sirs, I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this.. How is it that Sky Television has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a bleeding satellite dish from them back in 1977, and yet, the Government is still asking me where I was bloody born and on what date. For Christ

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-76485877762381279652011-10-08T21:50:00.000+01:002011-10-08T21:50:23.034+01:00

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-52399266857038032942011-09-26T22:37:00.000+01:002011-09-26T23:40:47.711+01:00

The scan picture clearly shows little feet.  This is Michelle's 18 week scan.  There is another picture I'd like to post of the baby reaching out with his arm.  His fingers are clearly visible.  There was so much excitement in the scanning room.  We saw his heart beating and we also saw the ridges and gullies of his brain.  Michelle says he is especially active this evening. On the way

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-33964944277639143232011-09-10T18:17:00.001+01:002011-09-26T23:47:03.838+01:00

There was face painting today, and we have a new cat and a new dog.  But they will disappear at bath time, so we won't have them long.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-88534702278305227192011-08-18T15:06:00.004+01:002011-08-26T20:05:34.418+01:00

When Michelle told her doctor she was pregnant, he didn't believe her because he has reports from 3 Consultants saying that she could not have children due to a problem with her ovaries. We are delighted for her. This is a Miracle baby, and very, very welcome. Little one is due on 22 February.  Caelyn's boy is due at the beginning of January, so my guess is that the cousins will get up to a lot

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-9196287314557789952011-08-18T12:41:00.001+01:002011-08-18T12:41:22.267+01:00

Michelle's baby age 13 weeks and one day. Baby was very active and was seen sucking his or her thumb. Baby is due  on 22  February.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-4382065156674509812011-08-16T15:43:00.002+01:002011-09-26T23:43:06.365+01:00

Caelyn went for her 20 week Anomaly Scan. The baby is fine, and everything is within normal parameters. And its a boy this time! We have never had a boy in the family.  What on earth does one do with one? Apparently they are quite different to little girls.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-70921384554370611942011-08-15T13:29:00.001+01:002011-09-27T00:04:59.637+01:00

Sometimes people do great things for us and we move away and lose touch. As years go by, the understanding of just how much gratitude we owe that person gets deeper and deeper and we wish we could see them again to tell them just how much they affected our lives. Quite often, it isn't possible. I had an extraordinary teacher in 1976. I have spoken of her often, and remembered the things she

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-38920670853274364422011-08-15T12:49:00.002+01:002011-08-15T13:08:56.351+01:00

I have downloaded the Blogger App to my Android phone, and am hoping that it will work well. I haven't blogged much lately, and that is because I don't always want to turn  the computer on. The laptop keyboard is damaged, and I don't always feel well enough to sit at the big desktop computer. I am not too sure about posting photos, but will  probably find a way to do it.Yesterday Sean and I took

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-91429174775774450052011-07-18T19:22:00.001+01:002011-07-18T19:23:57.033+01:00

I have had my Nokia E66 for several years and know it very well.  At the end of March I got a Sony Ericcson Xperia Arc, and I have had several months to get used to it and know it.  At first I thought the Xperia Arc would be better in every way, but it isn’t.  I am using my Nokia E66 with another sim card now so both phones are in use.  They both have their strengths, and I’ve made a comparison

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-34033278459096867252011-06-28T09:27:00.000+01:002011-06-28T09:27:39.941+01:00

This is Jake, who was put to sleep yesterday because he had a cancerous tumour that doubled in size in a week, and it was cutting off his airway. I've known Jake for years, and you couldn't hope to meet a dog with a nicer nature. Sadly it isn't possible to contact his owner who is a dear friend. She is in one of the Balkan countries and gets back next week. She will be shocked and

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-52234168921591840622011-06-24T20:29:00.001+01:002011-06-24T20:35:33.221+01:00

I was asked not to say anything up until now, but Caelyn and Nigel are expecting another baby.  She went for a scan today, and has been given a 'due date' of 2 January.  The baby is developing well and everything is within normal limits, and this is the first pregnancy Caelyn has had that has ever been within normal limits. Yet even that is odd because the child was conceived while Caelyn had

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-82322700627071267672011-06-17T10:45:00.001+01:002011-06-17T10:47:06.967+01:00

 My mum and I were in the Italian ice-cream shop the other day. We had gone to town on our scooters and of course we took the dogs with us. Granny Whoops and Benny really enjoyed seeing each other again, and it was nice for my mum and I to be together doing relaxing, happy stuff on a summery day.   The summer has gone again though.  Its just grey and cold.  Mind you, yesterday was torrential

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-18036566109448415632011-06-17T10:39:00.002+01:002011-06-17T10:49:48.360+01:00

Teresa Jayne and her sidekick Benny the Blondster driving dad's car.  This is quite reminiscent as I have a similar picture of Wendy doing the same thing at the same age, only with Brakkie, not Benny.  The photo is in the Blog Archive for September 2007. Wendy and Brakkie had such a close bond. He has been gone for almost a year now but at times we still call Benny by Brakkie's name. Wendy

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-5079199270738192482011-06-17T10:16:00.001+01:002011-06-17T10:40:09.599+01:00

Sean took Michelle, Richard and I out to dinner at Giovannis to celebrate her new job. It was a lovely evening.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-58903123492182492812011-06-14T11:05:00.003+01:002011-06-19T16:01:38.693+01:00

Sean set off to walk the Camino in mid May. The Camino is a walking Pilgrimage across France or Spain to Santiago, which is the Spanish word for St James the Apostle. Sean flew to Santander then travelled to Leon and he started his long 320km walk from there. He walked through very rural areas across the Pyrenees. It was lonely and isolated for much of the way and sometimes all he saw were

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-44279426340348364042011-06-10T22:17:00.003+01:002011-06-17T10:51:40.960+01:00

Michelle's luck has changed at last, and she has some great news. She has a new job in Hawkinge, which is a short bus journey away. She is in training at the moment, tired but happy.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-66637795071981706952011-06-05T22:33:00.000+01:002011-06-05T22:33:03.676+01:00

This video is amazing, and has the "aww sweet" factor in bucket loads.  I loved this heartwarming video so much I just had to share it.  Enjoy! CAT AND DOLPHINS VIDEO

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-71388077338724081652011-06-05T22:21:00.000+01:002011-06-05T22:21:08.774+01:00

M.E can kill.  To call it "fatigue" is ridiculous.  Sophia Mirza died of it, and on post mortem examination, her spinal cord showed inflammation with ganglionitis.  M.E was put on her death certificate as a cause of death, as it was on Annabel Senior's.  On post mortem, Lynn Gilderdale was found to have muliple severe disorders. Many patients, not believed by family, friends or the medical

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-10535056320328249382011-05-20T01:24:00.000+01:002011-05-20T01:24:47.673+01:00

Michelle and I spotted a brand new clock on the Leas today.  We were a bit puzzled at first, but then I realised it was a subtle statement.  A farewell memorial, perhaps, to the Lib Dems, who have lost all their seats in Shepway after the recent local Elections and Alternative Vote referendum.    At first glance, the clock looks OK,  but a bit too modern and out of place in a town full of

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-44374841215194627332011-05-07T02:59:00.000+01:002011-05-07T02:59:44.324+01:00

Michelle was to have started a new job this evening and she got all her clothes ready before lunch because she was so pleased and excited.  But at 14h30 the boss phoned her to say that the person who had resigned had changed her mind and therefore they did not need her services. She was so disappointed that its no exaggeration to say that she was distraught for a whle.  Poor little lass.  She

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-2122186828682246092011-05-07T02:54:00.000+01:002011-05-07T02:54:23.701+01:00

Finlay, the little wire haired dachshund, belonged to Marion. She has been very ill and she was bereaved last year and she couldn't cope with him, so he went to stay with Caelyn to give Marion some respite. He fitted into their lives beautifully, and loved cuddling up to Teresa when she slept.  He loved the kids playing with him and was very good with them.  Also, he and Caelyn's dog, Belle, got

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-46741865587777529142011-05-07T02:32:00.000+01:002011-05-07T02:32:56.100+01:00

Last Friday, Prince William married Catherine Middleton. His brother Harry calls them the Dude and the Duchess. Sean and I watched it on television and loved it. Then we hopped on a train to go to Bournemouth to see Peter and Sue in Wimborne. It was a lovely visit and they made us very welcome. They have been friends for upwards of 60 years, which is very good going. Here are Peter and Sean

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-75000394064768380252011-04-28T03:27:00.002+01:002011-05-07T02:00:27.531+01:00

I usually go to Downside with Sean for the annual Old Boys Easter Retreat, but this year he went with his sister. My mum is away and Caelyn wanted a representative of the Wrinkly Generation to come to her house to celebrate Easter Sunday. So I did, and enjoyed it too, but next year will go with Sean again, God willing. I had a wonderful weekend but it was too much physically and I have been in

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-55842484957121599012011-04-28T03:00:00.000+01:002011-04-28T03:00:37.858+01:00

My mum is hopefully on a ship now, and will have access to a computer tomorrow night, so I'm going to post some recent photos for her to see. She misses Wendy and Teresa Jayne while she is away. Mum - I hope you have a VERY bon voyage! Tomorrow I will be on my travels too, but only as far as Sean. On Friday we will watch the Royal Wedding then go to Bournemouth to see some people he has been

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-55813777113469896672011-04-13T00:04:00.000+01:002011-04-13T00:04:02.501+01:00

The kids are off school for the Easter Holidays, and they went to an Easter Egg Hunt at the school, which they both enjoyed. The parents had to pay a nominal fee which went towards school funds. The Community Centre has organised a coach to take families to Howletts Zoo at a reduced price. Today the Council organised a Play Day at the bottom of the Leas in the Coastal Park. Its very good

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-85823556152448857422011-04-12T23:27:00.002+01:002011-04-12T23:35:34.445+01:00

The sunny weather is still with us and it seems to have put a bounce into people's steps and smiles on their faces. The school children are on holiday and suddenly life seems a lot better for all sorts of people. The tulips are out, and I love tulips. They seem so cheerful somehow. I'm going to have to post some photos for my mum to see. She is having a wonderful holiday but she like to look

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-27572759334999777312011-04-06T09:03:00.000+01:002011-04-06T09:03:03.747+01:00

Spring is sprung after a very long, cold and grey winter.  I'd almost given up hope.  Its still cold but its bearable because there is sunshine for the first time in months.  And there are three important indicators that spring is here: The daffodils are out When the daffodils are out, its always a hopeful sign, and they always make me think of Wordsworth and Mr Ireland, the teacher who taught

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-60724531340179036772011-04-02T13:00:00.001+01:002011-04-02T13:01:59.398+01:00

My mum's dog Whoopie is staying with me while my mum is away.  She has settled in beautifully.  She is my shadow and comes to sit wherever I am sitting.  She is such a gentle little girl, and she seems very happy.  She is now demanding pats and affection and sat on my lap at Marion's house yesterday. She also comes when she is called and Benny still doesn't do that! Another thing that has

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-60637542383908442542011-04-02T12:42:00.000+01:002011-04-02T12:42:27.540+01:00

I can't believe a whole month has passed since I last updated the Blog.  I have been busy - for me - with the attendant loss of function that brings.  My mother asked me to keep the Blog updated because she is overseas and wants to be able to catch up. First, Wendy.  She has seen the paediatrician who is "worried but not very worried".  Caelyn has to keep a log of symptoms and take Wendy back

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-60709443482351282532011-03-02T11:31:00.001Z2011-03-02T11:32:15.198Z

This story is on Mr Swales' website.  He has long been championing ME sufferers and their treatment.  This is an amazing result, and I, for one, an very grateful to him for all his hard work on our behalf.  I'm sure it has been an uphill struggle at times, but this result is real progress that could make an enormous difference to UK ME sufferers. Thank you, Mr Swales.  Here's his website write up

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-15105617625613339802011-02-22T13:46:00.001Z2011-02-22T13:53:06.543Z

The Guardian newspaper headlines: "Study finds therapy and exercise best for ME Chronic fatigue syndrome study finds more people recover if they are helped to try to do more than they think they can"  (see article, click here) I wonder how many ME sufferers will be sent this article - and other like it, such as the Sky News report - by friends and relatives who hope that at long last a cure has

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-42080819467021565552011-02-15T02:24:00.000Z2011-02-15T02:24:54.313Z

Poor Caelyn!  It wasn't the best birthday ever.  She is very sleep deprived because Wendy needs help in the night while she is ill, and Teresa Jayne is very chesty and can't breathe properly so she too has been waking her mother up.  Caelyn has a huge amount on her plate at the moment and she is really feeling it. But today was her birthday.  25 years old, my lastborn.  I hope she has a jolly

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-6227643774723743672011-02-15T02:18:00.000Z2011-02-15T02:18:47.388Z

Wendy has been ill for a few weeks.  Temperature, headache, lethargic, tummy ache, poor appetite, ear ache.  Before that she had a tummy bug.  The Dr sent them to the hospital today to have blood taken.  She was very brave about it.  But she is so unlike herself!  We all hate seeing her like this.  She's OK-ish when dosed up on paracetamol, but it is very obvious when the effect wears off.  At

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-22037859832646990442011-02-15T02:09:00.000Z2011-02-15T02:09:31.119Z

Benny started having diarrhoea last Monday.  I starved him (water only) for 24hrs.  He was still going so I gave him egg with probiotics in it for a day.  Followed by natural yoghurt for a day, then the bland chicken and rice diet.  As he was no better by then, I took him to the Vet, who gave him a good going over.  We decided it was due to food intolerance rather than an infection, and he was

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-11181353662008249692011-02-11T11:42:00.000Z2011-02-11T11:42:26.028Z

Click this to go to the original BBC story Cat banned for scaring residents A black cat has been barred from the stairwell of a housing block in Israel because he scares local residents. Kooshi, a seven-year-old mixed breed with a jet-black coat and green eyes, looked ferocious, residents in Rishon Letzion complained to town officials. The cat's owners were ordered to cradle the animal when

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-37675514740902401512011-02-10T23:10:00.000Z2011-02-10T23:10:02.126Z

Today we said a sad goodbye to our upstairs neighbour, Jan.  We are very sorry to see her go.  She is a nice lady who lived a very quiet life and always exchanged a few pleasant words.  Her landlord gave her Notice, and we fear it may be because he intends to move back in. She certainly never made a nuisance in any way at all, so its hard to understand why she was given notice. The landlord is

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-83343081009340138062011-02-10T22:32:00.004Z2011-02-11T02:39:46.422Z

When is the poor kid going to get a break?  She had a cold, then the Winter Vomiting Virus, then another heavy cold then an ear infection.  Over last weekend she seemed to pick up bit but she woke her parents up early on Monday morning complaining there was sand in her eye.  They saw at once she was very ill so Caelyn made a Dr appointment for her.  Her temperature was sky high and she looked ill

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-4728752007325144892011-02-05T00:16:00.000Z2011-02-05T00:16:23.248Z

Today Wendy asked to bake with me.  In rushed Teresa Jayne demanding an apron.  Then she got on the stool and took her wooden spoon in hand and joined in the mixing of the cheese puffs. She's not even 2yrs old yet, but she makes her meaning abundantly clear.  She was going to join in, and that was that!  Caelyn took over the supervising bit and they had a lot of fun in spite of the fact that they

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-69597644166768464222011-01-23T20:16:00.001Z2011-01-23T20:27:15.520Z

See this all - too - familiar horror story about parents of seriously ill children being threatened with their forcible removal and being put into "care". It is a nightmare our family knows all too well. Since when is caring for your sick child wrong / abusive / unloving / uncaring?? Why should someone outside the family be allowed to impose and enforce their different opinions on a family,

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-75793836733601600102011-01-20T18:12:00.002Z2011-01-20T18:26:09.446Z

I've come across a very much cheaper network called GiffGaff, and it runs on the O2 network.  As most of us aren't too flush, I thought I'd post about it.  My family is still in the discussion phase, but we probably will decide to change in a couple of months.  If we chose the £10 Goody Bag, we'd get 250 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited internet, plus unlimited calls and texts to other family

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-71632681012261655472011-01-11T10:58:00.003Z2011-01-20T18:17:16.345Z

My brother Stephen and his wife Margaret live near Brisbane in Australia.  There is dreadful, disastrous flooding there, and the Mayor has had to order a Evacuation.  Steve and Margaret are OK for the moment.  I had this message from him: "In spite of what you see on the news we are ok, there are floods all around but we are still clear. The road into town is cut but we have oil lamps and

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-33988427329066568062011-01-01T21:51:00.001Z2011-01-01T21:54:47.267Z

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious / secular persuasions and / or traditions of others

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-74911751352358036222010-12-25T11:37:00.002Z2010-12-25T11:37:24.743Z

A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter. And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There were times when we regretted The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, And the silken girls bringing sherbet. Then the camel men cursing and

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-9739330451913004052010-12-22T21:34:00.002Z2010-12-22T22:03:07.825Z

It was Ryan Nortier's funeral today at 11am South African time, 9am UK time.  Trish, his mother, wrote and read the following Tribute to her lastborn child: I have written a tribute to Ryan – whose name means KING and DEFENDER OF MANKIND! Ryan was born on 28 March 1988  here at Vergelegen Mediclinic.  He was our third son and although he had been our surprise package from God, we were

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-20667130663452791212010-12-16T21:35:00.002Z2010-12-16T21:41:56.439Z

My brother who lives in Australia says it is so hot that wild Koala Bears are asking cyclists for water and even coming to people's houses to cool off and get water.  I'll share some of the photos he sent.  They are sweet. It must be very hot indeed for a wild animal to interact so closely with humans, who they usually don't trust for good reasons. The dates on the photos aren't right, so I

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-61244327491951178552010-12-16T12:49:00.005Z2010-12-16T20:49:25.846Z

When we were in South Africa, we were friends with the Nortier family. Our children were much the same age. Michelle was close to the older boy, Adrian, while Caelyn played with Ryan, who was a bit younger than she was. On Saturday 11 December at about 5pm, Ryan was in a car accident. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Pinelands. Despite all efforts by a

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-74449101697351394172010-12-14T12:37:00.000Z2010-12-14T12:37:10.691Z

The weather is bad and getting worse. I quote from today's paper: "And the second Big Freeze of this winter, due to start this week, is likely to last for as long as a month, putting the country on course for a winter which could be even colder than the notoriously treacherous 1962-63. ‘It is looking most likely in the north-east, the east and south-east part of the country and in Scotland,’

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-60384674544061573522010-12-14T01:12:00.001Z2010-12-14T01:25:22.582Z

The independent Living Fund is being phased out, according to the BBC. See: HERE Please also bear in mind that Legal Aid has been stopped for people appealing against welfare decisions. So justice is available once again only to those who can afford it. And if people could afford it, they wouldn't need to deal with the DWP in the first place, would they? I wonder if it has anything to do

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-90742405387054744402010-12-13T01:37:00.001Z2010-12-13T01:40:03.497Z

When my kids were growing up, they were friends with 3 lads, Adrian, Steve and young Ryan. My mum and I were friends with their widowed mother, Trish. We heard last night that Ryan was in a car accident. They had to use the Jaws of Life to cut him from the wreckage. He is in Intensive Care, on a ventilator. Both his thighbones (femurs) are broken. He was too ill for surgery last night so

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-56223612317434960482010-12-10T22:27:00.000Z2010-12-10T22:27:07.965Z

The Guardian newspaper printed this article. Please see the original HERE Yesterday, the government finally showed its true colours. Ever since the election this year, disabled people have watched with increasing dismay as the rhetoric against us has become increasingly vitriolic; tabloid papers can barely write the word disabled without coupling it with "workshy". The waters have become so

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-68700503937248112892010-12-10T18:27:00.000Z2010-12-10T18:27:06.174Z

The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on the list. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public. War does not determine who is right - only who is left. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening' and then proceed to tell you

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-20403824034343850002010-12-05T12:18:00.000Z2010-12-05T12:18:36.230Z

³In a nine year study of 177 patients only 12% reported recovery.² REF: Pheley AM, Melby D, Schenck C, Mandel J, Peterson PK. Can we predict recovery in chronic fatigue syndrome? Minn Med 1999 Nov;82(11):52-56. ³Other studies suggest that less than 10% of patients return to premorbid levels of functioning.² REFS: · Bates DW, Schmitt W, Buchwald D, Ware NC, Lee J, Thoyer E, Kornish RJ, Komaroff

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-14484131183188046712010-12-04T13:59:00.000Z2010-12-04T13:59:33.366Z

There is a really interesting article about a beautiful young woman, Laura Hillenbrand,  who wrote a book about the celebrated racehorse Seabiscuit which was later turned into a movie.  It was even more of a triumph because she wrote it while being seriously ill.  The article is 4 pages long, but very much worth a read. Click HERE for the link to the article.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-64015820139655120552010-12-03T20:59:00.001Z2010-12-04T13:49:30.432Z

The American Red Cross has issued a statement saying that they will not accept blood from patients who have ever been diagnosed with M.E/CFS for both donor and patient safety. This is related to the newly discovered retroviruses that are so commonly found in people with these illnesses. There is fear of transmitting a serious, long term and debilitating virus through the blood supply. See the

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-32373003756419876622010-12-03T00:27:00.001Z2010-12-03T00:29:19.143Z

Jammed up: Lorries remain stuck in Operation Stack at the M20 Eurotunnel exit near Folkstone, Kent today When so much traffic is on the road and it is gridlocked, the snowploughs and gritting lorries can't actually get onto the roads to clear and grit them. Plus, petrol stations are due to run out of petrol this weekend as their supply lorries have been unable to get through to fill their

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-68777908532645456932010-12-02T12:54:00.005Z2010-12-03T00:30:40.620Z

Stay-at-home Britain: 40% of workers take the day off as snow storms paralyse the country... with more to come tonight Four out of ten workers stayed at home today as heavy overnight snowfall wreaked havoc on the nation's transport network. The big freeze tightened its grip on Britain today with scores of cancelled railway services, the closure of four airports and chaos on the roads bringing

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-45001445755671564072010-12-02T11:53:00.000Z2010-12-02T11:53:30.967Z

Click on this sentence to go to the original article. 300 spend night on train, 2,000 flights cancelled, roads gridlocked... and there's another EIGHT INCHES of snow on the way  The big freeze tightened its grip on Britain today with scores of cancelled railway services, the closure of two airports and chaos on the roads bringing the South to a standstill. Six inches of snow in Kent overnight

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-18338701134095645522010-12-02T02:01:00.001Z2010-12-02T02:09:16.089Z

My nearest and dearest are very well aware that my landline handset lives in the cupboard and has done so for years. I just use the line for Internet. I wouldn't know if people leave messages because I haven't checked for a number of years. I find phone calls very trying. Its hard to concentrate, especially when there is another noise in the background. Call Centres are the worst, because I

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-78904241409794863402010-12-02T01:13:00.003Z2010-12-02T02:11:38.198Z

From NEWSWEEK - click HERE for the original article and to see the spectacular photo accompanying the article. Validation in a Virus? For years, chronic-fatigue syndrome has been dismissed by the medical establishment. Now researchers may be closing in on a culprit. It’s hard, even years later, to read Laura Hillenbrand’s wrenching description of her pain. Hillenbrand, 43, is the author of

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-34320677877333908702010-12-02T00:39:00.001Z2010-12-02T00:42:55.839Z

Caelyn had a hospital appointment today and she asked me to go with her because she doesn't always understand what they tell her. Lots of ordinary people don't speak "medical". As things turned out, it is just as well I went with her. The Dr introduced himself in very broken English. Before the consultation started, the nurse came in with a prescription that he had written. He had not

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-76458183180462096752010-12-02T00:26:00.000Z2010-12-02T00:26:25.111Z

Hawkinge is high up and a lot colder than we are here in Folkestone. Their snow is always deeper and much longer lasting. The only way to get Wendy to school this week has been by sled. Thats rather fun for Wendy, but not so much fun for her Mum pulling the sled. Then you have to factor Teresa Jayne in. She can't be left alone at home so she has to go out too, and she is asthmatic and

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-14418193286430481052010-11-28T00:25:00.000Z2010-11-28T00:25:45.083Z

As you know, our old dog Brakkie was put to sleep in June 2010. We miss him, and I'm glad we have Benny now. At first, it looked odd with Benny having four legs because we were so used to Brakkie having only three. Benny is such a sweet natured little chap and he is playful and lovable. The problem is Wendy. She and Brakkie had a very close bond, right from her birth. She has been crying

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-76276288961252970352010-11-27T15:05:00.002Z2010-11-27T18:26:27.787Z

We have had our first snow of the season. Not very much of it, but it is snow all right. What is worse is the icy wind blowing. Brrr!! Benny asks to go out and he wants to play but when we are out, he walks for a bit, sniffs all the lamp posts, does his business then wants to hop on the scooter again. I think his paws get cold. I took him over to play with Abbey yesterday and it was a

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-42706114854385597612010-11-25T11:12:00.000Z2010-11-25T11:12:32.497Z

Caelyn phoned me to say it started snowing in Hawkinge at 08h30 this morning. Not heavily and not all the time, but it is snow nonetheless. And the poor baby has a chest infection, and Wendy has a long walk to school in this bitter weather.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-49123638179052275402010-11-24T23:25:00.000Z2010-11-24T23:25:01.558Z

Sean's recently bereaved brother Martin has come over from Canada for a visit, and I saw him last weekend at Sean's. We had a lovely, quiet time together. This weekend they are going to a family gathering at their sister's home in Cambridge. With the weather so cold and grotty, Martin will feel right at home.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-74511921286607666132010-11-24T23:21:00.000Z2010-11-24T23:21:47.255Z

Michelle got the job she applied for, and goes for a week of intensive training early in December. She is thrilled to bits, especially as it means she can accept her friend's invitation to go ski-ing in Norway in the New Year. There will be a crowd of them who will be renting a cottage. The friend is Norwegian so she can organise everything easily. This has given Michelle such a boost.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-90506583911076819692010-11-24T23:18:00.000Z2010-11-24T23:18:12.931Z

Wendy is going from strength to strength with her reading and writing, and got yet another House Point today. She has been working diligently and she is such a poppet. A lovely, caring and sharing young lady.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-26743201582329025032010-11-24T23:15:00.000Z2010-11-24T23:15:23.821Z

On Tuesdays, we look after Caelyn's children while she goes to college. Teresa had been cranky for a couple of days and her mum was keeping an eye on her health. After Caelyn left for college, Michelle went to lock the front door with Teresa, Benny and Marley hot on her heels. Somehow in the rush, Teresa fell against the book case by the door and has a cut next to her eye. She is going to

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-43940014250679082312010-11-24T23:09:00.001Z2010-11-24T23:09:25.885Z

Have heard nothing more from the plumber or my landlord. The Met Office is forecasting blizzards and heavy snowfall later this week so hot bath water would be a comfort.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-65924121107756060982010-11-19T11:54:00.001Z2010-11-27T18:21:56.417Z

The plumber I waited for yesterday came today. He examined the boiler carefully and said it was working perfectly. I insisted that our bathwater at best was the temperature of a swimming pool, so he went to check it, and he found the water cold too. Yet the boiler is working perfectly. So he went to check the meter room as the utility company had installed new meters in July. He thinks they

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-58530423523189215422010-11-18T23:19:00.002Z2010-11-18T23:28:06.771Z

Michelle went to an interview in Tunbridge Wells the other day. They emailed her at 18h10 the night before to say she should bring passport photos plus money to pay for her CRB Check. Well, that was all rather short notice. It turned out that someone should have sent her an Application pack, but didn't, so she had to spend a lot of time filling up forms and duplicating the information on

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-87173220544234165212010-11-18T21:57:00.000Z2010-11-18T21:57:08.679Z

Caelyn is studying for a Certificate to be a Learning Support Assistant to work in a school. She does her Work Experience at the local Primary School, and she is a girl who knows she isn't Einstein, so she simply works harder. At school there were times when the staff confiscated her books because they felt, quite rightly, that she needed some fun too. She is loving being on this course, and

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-81223125646775680652010-11-18T20:58:00.002Z2010-11-18T21:14:23.790Z

Our little Wendy Woozle started Big School in September, and she has already won 9 House Points.  When they have 10, it is announced at Assembly.  She can already read a few words, but Caelyn phoned me up with great excitement, joy and pride to tell me something that she was so proud of that she wanted me to put it here on the Blog. The great news is that today's House Point was awarded for

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-67652633922925012392010-11-03T00:28:00.001Z2010-11-03T00:29:55.404Z

I bought some cheap brandy to soak the fruit in my Christmas Cakes before baking.  I usually get Sainsburys Value French Brandy, and it has done very well.  This time I saw a cheaper bottle in Iceland so I bought that, and divided the fruit into four bowls in order to make four fruit cakes.  The fruit alone was more than £20, and my mother bought it with her old age pension. As I mentioned in

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-86855289550314456152010-11-01T21:24:00.002Z2010-11-01T21:27:34.064Z

My health has been 'down' lately. On Saturday afternoon, I had to go back to bed. And on Sunday too, which meant that I had to ask Caelyn to come and be with Sean and the children. There was just no way I could go on. There was nothing for it, I just had to sleep. And, as usual, felt no good effect from the sleep. I felt just as poisoned, achy and ill when I woke up as I had before I went

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-78233622256992984632010-10-29T21:27:00.003+01:002010-10-29T21:31:31.698+01:00

For over 25 years, all evidence of viral infections and immune abnormalities in M.E patients has been suppressed. Ignored. Buried. Instead, the Government shut the files away in a secret Medical Research Council vault, locked for over 70 years, and listened to a group of unconventional psychiatrists, authorizing them to control policy for patients. NOW THERE IS XMRV In 1991 a researcher at

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-36121987859983598012010-10-29T16:47:00.000+01:002010-10-29T16:47:13.943+01:00

It's the time of year to start on the fruit cakes for Christmas.  This year I am going to make 4 of them, and today I weighed and prepared the fruit, added the Brandy, and will leave them to soak for a couple of days before baking them.  After they come out of the oven, they are splashed with more Brandy and then well wrapped up in aluminium foil.  Then, every Friday until Christmas, they will be

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-69544201186574408682010-10-29T16:36:00.002+01:002010-10-29T16:39:19.954+01:00

Brownies have a fudgy texture that tastes better the day after baking. They are prepared using only one bowl. I recommend a microwavable one. Ingredients 120 grams unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 large eggs 3/4 cup (95 grams) all-purpose flour 1/4

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-72309698290744789002010-10-19T22:28:00.000+01:002010-10-19T22:28:32.375+01:00

Reading the Media recently, it has been shocking to realise how demonised people on sickness benefits have become. So many people do not believe that sick people are actually sick. They seem to believe that almost nobody is genuinely ill and that people on sickness benefits are scroungers, liars, cheats and wasters. This is being whipped up by the press to a fever pitch and judging by some

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-86354822757528934512010-10-18T00:49:00.006+01:002010-10-19T22:56:26.124+01:00

St Peter's Anglican church in Folkestone, http://www.stpetersfolkestone.org.uk/, is the first church in England where the whole parish defects to Rome. I'll post some links to mainline Press pages. Damian Thompson's Telegraph Blog The Guardian Daily Telegraph Daily Mail

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-51101783344914022542010-10-17T07:13:00.000+01:002010-10-17T07:13:17.553+01:00

Sean's sister "won" a boat trip up the Thames for four people at a Charity auction, and she invited Seam and I to join her and her friend Henrietta. We went by train to Wargrave on Friday and stayed at the St George and Dragon, a 15th Century coaching inn. we went to the Marina at 11am, and were welcomed by Chris and Jenny. We had some tea, then set off. First stop was at the Shiplake Lock.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-2138004508617144112010-10-11T21:24:00.000+01:002010-10-11T21:24:15.608+01:00

Michelle has been saying for ages that she thinks Benny is a cat stuck in a dog's body. I ignored it as the usual Michelle-madness, but tonight I had to wonder if my respected First Born had a point. With my very own eyes, I saw my blonde Benny sit neatly on the carpet, lifting his left paw to his mouth, licking it and then rubbing his face with it, exactly as Madam Spikkeldy does when she

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-70013148439285156912010-10-09T09:51:00.003+01:002010-10-09T10:23:49.557+01:00

My brother Stephen and his wife Margaret have been visiting from Australia. They spent a lot of time in Devon as Margaret's mum is in her 90s and broke her hip recently. While she was in hospital, they found that she has breast cancer. She is remarkably well, both physically and mentally. Sean had to light a fire because it was cold. Benny was confused! Stephen pouring the wine They

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-50996252997588658302010-10-05T14:05:00.000+01:002010-10-05T14:05:08.772+01:00

Caelyn's family saw the Dr after surgery last night.  He said that it is not measles.  He said he had seen measles before, and although the children have a viral infection, it isn't measles.  Well, that certainly must be a relief from a Public Health perspective. Caelyn was relieved that the hospital had written to the Dr about it either being measles or Slapped Cheek (which is a from of

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-25468639754926596532010-10-04T13:35:00.000+01:002010-10-04T13:35:42.040+01:00

The Dr called Caelyn.  He said he had the hospital report in front of him that said they suspected measles or slapped cheek syndrome.  They are quarantined and not to leave the house until tonight after the surgery has closed, then Nigel is to drive them to the surgery where they will be examined and have throat and saliva swabs taken for testing. If the tests are positive, the Dr says there

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-76673749425268841112010-10-03T23:54:00.000+01:002010-10-03T23:54:18.576+01:00

Michelle has been badly hit by a really grotty bug.  She seemed to feel better for a while yesterday, but it didn't last.  She has been really bad again all day today. Caelyn's children both have Measles.  Caelyn isn't well either, and she is exhausted with looking after them, doing her college work, her Maths course, getting up at night with the kids and trying to keep the household running.

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-58062731201995986002010-10-03T15:57:00.002+01:002010-10-03T23:43:04.605+01:00

Benny was naughty today and followed the cat out of the window.  It opens onto an area you can't get out of, and as it was the second time he has done it today, I left him there for a while to teach him a lesson.  I went and made a cup of tea and when I went back to the lounge, I realised it had been raining!  He wasn't very wet because he wasn't out there for very long, and I felt really bad

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-70757789511296517882010-10-03T15:20:00.000+01:002010-10-03T15:20:55.372+01:00

Both of my grandchildren have Measles.  Their ages are 16 months and 4 years. They have both had their MMR jabs. They are both healthy so we don't anticipate any complications with them. They both live in Kent, and their GP will have to notify the Health Authority and the School, as it is a Notifiable Disease. What worries me is that Wendy has been in contact with the classmate of a child on

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-85151473921618677042010-10-02T09:21:00.001+01:002010-10-02T09:22:54.685+01:00

Ordinary motorcyclists are donating free time to courier urgent products to hospitals. They work with medical courier firm Serv (Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers). They receive no money at all, not even to cover their expenses.  We read so many horrific stories today, of cowardice, selfishness and unspeakable abuses.  Then stories like this come along and restore faith in humanity. This

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-90687349622540182702010-10-02T09:07:00.000+01:002010-10-02T09:07:49.173+01:00

The BBC reports that teachers are to be allowed to touch pupils once again, to restrain them, break up fight or to comfort them  The 'no touch' rules have been ridiculous, so its good to see some sense creeping back in. The new rules also promise anonymity to teachers faced with allegations by pupils. Read the whole article HERE

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-60330185942142719282010-10-01T20:31:00.002+01:002010-10-01T20:45:00.708+01:00

I'm afraid Michelle is sick.  She has a high temperature that Paracetamol isn't doing much for.  Her throat is sore, the left side of her face is swollen.  She has a rash, but it looks like it might be due to heat rather than illness.  But she is too dizzy to walk on her own, and I had to help her bath earlier.  She is sleeping a lot and is 'clingy'.  She doesn't like me not being there when she

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14005653.post-51633495185768155082010-09-25T11:27:00.000+01:002010-09-25T11:27:00.725+01:00

A. Such number as may be deemed necessary to perform the stated task in a timely and efficient manner within the strictures of the following agreement: Whereas the party of the first part, also known as "Lawyer", and the party of the second part, also known as "Light Bulb", do hereby and forthwith agree to a transaction wherein the party of the second part (Light Bulb) shall be removed from the

Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11595455669567650259noreply@blogger.com0