tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50424817976129835662024-02-21T14:54:34.324+00:00AT HOME WITH THE MINNIE SCHOOLERSJust a few snippets of how it is with us.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.comBlogger654125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-20972987176218520142014-03-09T12:35:00.003+00:002014-03-09T12:35:33.638+00:00What?Bloody hell......we have...SUNSHINE!!!! Yay.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-69538288998270363502014-03-01T16:17:00.000+00:002014-03-01T16:17:03.553+00:00Pigs and Peanut ButterMaple syrup is on offer at our local Co-op. A third off and it's still extortionate! £3.99 a bottle. Yikes. And, nobody sells tofu or vegi cheese around here. Or tahini. Someone open a vegetarian/vegan supermarket, please? If you do, make it within walking distance of our house! lol<br />
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We are attempting to make home made dog biscuits today. Peanut butter and apple flavour. Might save a bit on the dentasticks that Cilla seems to be getting addicted to and that are bulking up the old waistline! Her breath is ok, though:o)<br />
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We signed a petition today to object to an American style pig firm that they want to open in the south of the county. 25,000 pigs on one farm, right next door to a women's prison, too. The prison is objecting because of the health issues to the women. Fair enough..but what about the poor piggies? Gah! World is going stark, raving mad. Awful stuff.<br />
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Gratuitous piccy of The Old Ladies...in the days before the other 9 arrived:o)<br />
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-54752214088495261962014-02-20T23:30:00.001+00:002014-02-20T23:30:44.010+00:00Still Here - Language, Timothy.Well, am still here..going on and on and on and on! lol<br />
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Darth Vader is still with us! <br />
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She gives me a run for my money, so to speak. Arghhh!<br />
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I will update, soon.<br />
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Hope you are all ok.<br />
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Please say a prayer for Ukraine and all my rellies there. Tell Putin to F**k off.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-84765128280483722742013-09-07T12:42:00.003+01:002013-09-07T12:42:43.465+01:00It never stopsLove how Gill puts things across so eloquently. <br />
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There has been a bit of aggro lately with some trying to take over the home ed world, thinking they know best and trying to speak for us all. Not happening! We are all different. We all home ed in our own particular way. Don't need ID cards to prove you home ed or to get into venues and you CERTAINLY should not be paying for them when you can print your own up for free! <br />
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You should be able to discuss freely, without (1) censorship or (2) threat. It has happened and still is going on. If you are being booted off a site just for asking questions that are relevant, then that site doesn't have home ed best interests at heart. imo. Just its own. Blocking or booting people off because you don't like the questions being asked just means that the picture painted is not exactly truthful. Enter the naive newbies! Like lambs to slaughter. Can't be warned by the wise and experienced because of 1 and 2 above. Don't allow these people to slowly eradicate our hard fought home ed rights. Don't forget Badman and Balls! The stuff of nightmares.<br />
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<a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/my-thoughts-on-home-education-id-and.html">http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/my-thoughts-on-home-education-id-and.html</a>Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-6681025551161753892013-09-01T19:56:00.002+01:002013-09-01T19:56:26.123+01:00Door Stop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Junior decided to bake last night...at 9.30pm. Cake came out of the oven at 11.30pm! She baked it first for 25 mins and had a look. Said it was still liquidy, so put it back in. Came out not liquidy! And, It weighs a fair bit. Home made brick. lol Hmmmmm...Anyway, it needs eating up, so we had a piece today. Next piece we have, I suspect, will be with custard to help it go down.</div>
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-42848035620573730352013-08-12T00:02:00.005+01:002013-08-12T00:02:46.780+01:00MunchiesI know I'm talking to myself. At least I have a record of what I say. lol<br />
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It is late. 11.38pm. Munchie time in our house.<br />
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The animals like to eat at this time. We had the 'share a packet of ham' time earlier on. All the mogs congregate for their bit. Tinks, you can hear her 'nom nomming'. Very funny. Looloo and Popeye always turn up late! I can hear Muppet aka Darth Vader slobberingly eating her grub...in peace. Meg is munching on biscuits. Spook is eating, too. All well and happy. Litters cleaned.. Wonder if little Darthy will leave me another little pressie tonight?<br />
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Today, I spent ages grooming our lot. 8 cats done. 3 and the dog left to do. They all get groomed weekly in this weather. Amazing how much they moult.<br />
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Earlier on tonight, on my way up to the shops, I spotted a stray ginger and white. I thought that when I come back, I would grab it and try and sort it out. Couldn't find it. I will try again tomorrow evening. The poor thing looked awful. Walking all wobbly. I can't believe that such shit goes on in this day and age. I have a neighbour/former friend who thinks that food banks aren't needed and those who use them are just scroungers and lazy buggers. People on benefits are the scum of the earth, type of thing. I despair at the lack of empathy of some people. It's such an unattractive feature. Ack... You know those cartoons where the characters jump up and down in frustration? Well, that's me at the moment. Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-7461366955061658622013-08-07T22:41:00.000+01:002013-08-07T22:41:18.884+01:00MemoriesSo, I took advantage of early retirement......before this government decides to screw me out of everything I've worked for. State retirement age gets worse. I'll never make it! Pension just covers the rent. That's it. Why take early retirement? Rickety joints. ...... Hurt like FUCK! Sorry for the language, but it hurts. You try being all happy and la la when you can't climb up or down stairs, get in the bath, get on or off the loo, put your hair into a pony tail, open jars/bottles, chop food/wipe your arse, etc. Makes you extremely bad-tempered, narky...whatever. Can't do what you want to do..decorate the house, clean the house....... Fatigue, blah, blah, blah. Pay all your life into the 'system'. Does it pay you back? Bleurghhhh! Nooooo...you have to pay MORE taxes. Can you get help with appropriate housing? You need somewhere without stairs. Hahahahaha.....joke. Nooo....pay more taxes..... Got to keep the big guys in council going. Big fat six figure salaries, while the rest of us live below minimum wage/poverty line. Gah. They don't give a shoo about us. Politicians. All as bad. Only ever come round when it's voting time. Sometimes, they don't even bother with that! Never mind. They've got £69,000 minimum to live on per annum....plus expenses....Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-49528604835966058172013-08-06T00:15:00.000+01:002013-08-06T00:19:39.465+01:00Still with usI was worried a while back...about a certain 17 year old mog....Muppet aka Darth Vader......she of 'The Snore'. She has nodules in her nose. She's too old for ops and all that. As long as she's happy then I'll not bother with the vet and all that.<br />
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So, she's still with us, obviously. A fighter. That's the feral bit. I don't mean as in fisticuffs, but in existence. <br />
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She has started to come to me more. Wants to be near..but not too near. Always on her terms. She has this cute little trill. Half miaow, half Rrrrrrrrr. Gets me every time..and the other mogs tolerate her...almost protectively. There are plenty of soft surfaces to lie and relax on here, but she prefers the wooden floorboards or laminate or floor tiles. Tough as old boots.<br />
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She nags for England. Miaow, miaow, miaow..trill...... For food, milk...anything. My little 'Why am I miaowing?' alzheimer mog. xx<br />
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Ah, yes. Sweet and lovely little elderly Darthy. Shits at the drop of a hat. Nine times out of ten, not in the cat litters........sigh........AND...her sister, Spooky, is nearly as bad. A portly mog. Cantankerous...so the others give her 'what for'. Spook's another fighter, though. Toughie. x<br />
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I have just fed the mogs, again. They have all retired to comfy beddings. Darthy is asleep....flat out on the laminate flooring! Snoring away. Bless.<br />
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-62123708210318251562013-07-27T12:14:00.002+01:002013-07-27T12:14:49.968+01:00Oh DearI have been neglecting this blog somewhat. Bad Min! Or maybe I'm done with being a Schooler and want to be a 'REAL ME'. Hmmmmmm... Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-35035029272078335962013-06-20T22:03:00.003+01:002013-06-20T22:03:28.579+01:00Rebel with a causeWe have bumblebees in our garden. They are nesting under one of the sheds. And, we have tree bees, too. Good job I let the garden go a bit. Lots of wild flowers for them to seek out and munch, speak. <br />
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And...our nesting blackbirds have....produced. This little lady came within 2 feet of me. She is so lovely.<br />
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Olive posing, with Popeye in the background.....'let me at them thar birds!' They swoop down and torment my felines. Haha.<br />
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I knew the bumble bees'd come back. And the frogs. Yay! They know a good gig! Yay. Pfffffffff to the politically correct gardening neighbours!!! I've got birds nesting, frogs, bees, etc. You have ......?Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-59413526913974927762013-06-17T13:16:00.004+01:002013-06-17T13:16:56.228+01:00The real reason for the badger cull/<a href="http://www.farmingmonthly.co.uk/livestock/animal-health/7017-a-case-of-foot-in-mouth-for-defra-as-their-own-evidence">http://www.farmingmonthly.co.uk/livestock/animal-health/7017-a-case-of-foot-in-mouth-for-defra-as-their-own-evidence</a>Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-64033344552182831472013-06-02T01:14:00.004+01:002013-06-02T01:14:38.840+01:00Brock the BadgerOoooo! Am outraged at the badger cull. Protected, they are supposed to be.<br />
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We are a hypocritical species....and very arrogant! Deserve all we get!<br />
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Dr Brian May..respect. xx<br />
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-16484931095071534412013-04-18T20:42:00.000+01:002013-04-18T20:42:39.037+01:00ExplosionsWhat can I say..... except that we send love and hugs to those who have been affected by the bombs in Boston and the explosion in West, Texas. We are thinking of you. xxxxxMinniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-28782544180703571222013-04-13T21:31:00.000+01:002013-04-13T21:31:43.301+01:00Just PrayMy daughter in law is in hospital with pre eclampsia. She is only 34 weeks on. She's not been well with this pregnancy for a bit. Looking it up on the internet, she has had the classic symptoms of PE. The baby is very small (3lbs) and they think they might induce birth tomorrow...so the baby could be 'here' on Monday. She and Son no 2 said they wanted me at the birth...so I am on tenterhoooks. Can't wait to meet my newest, dearest grandaughter.<br />
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I am praying that Mum and Baby will be fine. Please send them positive thoughts. <br />
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-52290893743700130792013-04-11T23:41:00.000+01:002013-04-11T23:41:44.309+01:00The Joys of Animal Ownership Part 5 - She's having me on!!Darth Vader is still with us. Yay!<br />
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Yes, her backside still has a mind of its own.... I spend time putting newspapers around the litter entrances, in case of 'misses'. What does she do? Misses on purpose. Yes, I am sure of it. It's like she's saying "I'll bloody well make sure you remember me!'<br />
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Don't know what it is, but the mogs seem to be settling down at bedtime. It's probably the cold weather and so the lure of a nice warm radiator/bed is much more tempting than a cold, windy cat run. Keeping them fed and warm keeps ensures a peaceful...ish night. Half a dozen mogs on your feet tends to stop blood flow! lol. Anyway...<br />
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The Joys of Animal Ownership Part 6 - Feline Matches in Our House.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-2962468782405275852013-04-07T22:58:00.001+01:002013-04-07T22:58:07.214+01:00The Joys of Animal Ownership Part 4 - Saying GoodbyeIt sucks.<br />
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Little Darth Vader is not well at all. She is so old. So thin....it goes with the 'territory' apparently. She wheezes away..happily lounging on the window sill....above a hot radiator!...Bum warming is her favourite activity nowadays...and eating and crapping to excess. She doesn't always wheeze,<br />
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Today, I noticed that she had some nose snot. blood coloured. Maybe that means that her nose nodules have bust a bit. I dunno. Don't want her to suffer but, equally, don't want to give up on her easily just because she is old. She seems happy enough. Being a semi-feral she has been a complete PAIN up the A.... when it comes to being a 'normal cat' re petting, flea treatment, worming, etc. But, nowadays, she seems to want attention and...closeness, She'll let me groom her now. Wow! She'll still do a sneaky on me and crap on the bedroom floor! Ack! Not a nice aroma at 4am!!! The other mogs approach her and she trills....and they back off in respect. You have to see it to believe it.<br />
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Still... I will blub when 'the time comes'...and it's not too far now.<br />
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Ow!<br />
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Heart broken, already. That's why I spoil my Old Lady.<br />
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She crapped at 8pm tonight...so next one is?........<br />
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Bog roll at the ready...Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-76061105907007821872013-04-07T22:39:00.000+01:002013-04-07T22:39:17.058+01:00The Joys of Animal Ownership part 3 - The Pecking OrderIt is quite simple.<br />
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Those nice mogs come first. Then the dog....Then we mere humans.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-68277630719594508812013-04-04T19:31:00.000+01:002013-04-04T19:31:36.041+01:00The Joys of Animal Ownership Part 2 - PukingThat retching sound! Not something you want to hear at 4am...especially if it's under the bed!<br />
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You can hear them starting with the gloop, gloop, gloop. So, I race towards the noise and try and usher the little vomit freak to somewhere more suitable re; more easily wipeable surface. Sigh... They don't have favourite 'puking sites'. Anywhere will do, although they often try to camouflage their 'present' against the rug or carpet..or under a chair. If they've 'chameleoned' it then chances are you'll put your foot in it! Ack. <br />
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And the vomiting? It's usually due to over stuffing or fur balls. The latter are mank! So we groom them alot. <br />
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Yesterday evening I felt sorry for Darth Vader and opened her a tin of tuna. She sucks on her food nowadays and I thought mushed up fish would be ok for her. It was. She ate a bit and Tinks had a bit. The others weren't bothered. Anyway, I turns my back for a minute and it was all gone. Hmmm...one of the others must have eaten it.<br />
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Five minutes later, I can hear the gloop, gloop, gloop coming from the lounge and there they were. Two nice piles of nice, warm bleurgh....courtesy of the dog! Greedy little toerag had burgled the tuna from behind my back. She thinks cat food is nicer than her Senior Dog Food and so will nick it before eating her own. From now on, she's barred to the other side of the dog gate until feline feeding time is over.<br />
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Feeding time leads on to the next. The Joys of Animal Ownership Part 3 - The Pecking Order.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-42322391599154645332013-04-04T00:14:00.000+01:002013-04-04T19:31:58.810+01:00The Joys of Animal Ownership, Part 1...BullyingIt goes on everywhere. It sucks, as they say...especially in the feline world. <br />
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Well, Spook..one of the Old Ladies, is a cantankerous little sod, I have to say. But, she is just set in her ways. However, some of the younger mogs delight in 'ambushing' her. Let me say that this does her no good....16 year old heart and all that....and she poops herself when they do that to her. So, I am protective of her...and her sis Darth Vader..(.but she is much more wiley and streetwise and has the others 'sussed and under control'. :o))) ) Muppet.aka Darth Vader, is a skinny little thing. Spook is not. Think basketball on legs. Spook sleeps at my side on the bed. Protection for her..and I don't blame her. The others usually prefer to be at the foot of or under the bed. Popeye will do his best to harass her, if he's about. He is just a naughty, loveable boy. Tinks likes to ambush en-route to or from the litter. Spook isn't fussed. She'll crap anywhere!! Bowels aren't what they used to be!!<br />
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So, I am on a mission for 'A peaceful night's sleep'. If I separate the 'unruly' lot from the 'goodies' then there is pandemonium. PARTAY!!! If I let them kip together, then my day starts at 5am. To any feline lover...that is......litter time!!...and then all the house is awake! Arghh. To any Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer....anyone who interrupts your kip (unless it's your bladder and co')...then......grrrrr.<br />
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I would not be bothered in the slightest if we lived in a detached house.....if only....... The mogs just like to play....at the wrong time of day, of course! It's just how it is. We can hear our neighbours all the time. They don't see it that way, though.<br />
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Tip: If you, for some reason, find yourself 'with kitten'....DON'T fall for the 'Oh, Mummy, can we keep them all...I'LL LOOK AFTER THEM..PROMISE!' Pah!<br />
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The Joys of Animal Ownership. Part 2 coming up....puking! Bleurgh!!!<br />
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<br />Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-28404925949625830562013-04-01T12:45:00.000+01:002013-04-01T12:45:57.941+01:00Is it Summer time? Nah, not here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's still cold...freezing. I'm having to wear fingerless gloves IN THE HOUSE! We still have a bus load of snow in the back garden and I have only just managed to prise my way out of the back door. With the garden room..which is really a greenhouse,lean-to type of construction, every time I open the door..down comes a whole wodge of snow and ice because of the vibrations. Not good if it lands on your head. So, we have avoided the back until now. I had to hack away the snow and ice and chiselled a little path to the main garden using a garden hoe. Can't put salt down to 'melt' the snow and ice because of the dog. Went out there, to the bottom and put some food out for the birds. Mealworms (Eeew) and bread crumbs. I doubt they'll eat them. Don't know why that is because they do come into the garden and the sparrows are nesting in the hedge. Could be that my 'bird cuisine' is not up to scratch? Never put mealworms down before, though, so maybe they'll eat them. </div>
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Poor Junior has not been feeling well. She has started with the lurgy.. - 'bunged-up sore throat'..as she puts it. So, she has been miserable and ratty. The mogs have sensed this and the majority of them have 'stayed well clear'...and bunked in with me! lol I bought her some nail varnish to cheer her up. When all else fails.... lol.</div>
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Now that I have sort of managed to suss out my new camera, here are some gratuitous pics.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Henry and Tinks looking out at the white stuff. There's a radiator under this window sill, so they are multi-tasking and bum warming as well as surveying the land.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGbXZPgaL79Hr-v275GMHtvO1NtklP4kaDMgm3mLZ_WmvWJmp7aBhUp35NoFOAGYDgNCUPZYKwIIjxKmC3PeHJYyv1SOPxOnvXreOXibMrI6-nXrVm7SZoQoSz-2kI6JeZLxVBrZHr_Q/s1600/2013_0118AS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGbXZPgaL79Hr-v275GMHtvO1NtklP4kaDMgm3mLZ_WmvWJmp7aBhUp35NoFOAGYDgNCUPZYKwIIjxKmC3PeHJYyv1SOPxOnvXreOXibMrI6-nXrVm7SZoQoSz-2kI6JeZLxVBrZHr_Q/s320/2013_0118AS.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Henry with his 'Have you seen that...where's it coming from?' look. He's a very talkative, friendly and nice chap. He trills and talks away to Junior. Tinks has a new fetish and likes to play with hair bobbles. We hide them but the mog still finds them. You can hear her 'pinging' them around the house.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx32P56nTTnQE7N8o3Smyz-OSyIzjoRUXLmrXgFlKmH3qVIIB9WH0JPYKP_ZPwv5I_g6aR516J_25lQRa5OQtCmG9ewsdPqCupQR7w8gy9Aumwai10FYsorHABnB43EJmPor21Erak2zY/s1600/2013_0118AT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx32P56nTTnQE7N8o3Smyz-OSyIzjoRUXLmrXgFlKmH3qVIIB9WH0JPYKP_ZPwv5I_g6aR516J_25lQRa5OQtCmG9ewsdPqCupQR7w8gy9Aumwai10FYsorHABnB43EJmPor21Erak2zY/s320/2013_0118AT.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">She smiles:o)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYXkWKxx-FjC_w35uxXpIzBt8fB-aQjIC8YZsDn_AlpUWz0q8WCnaRhhTC2HYFw-Vj0a3pcR4zEF65MtUfTA7CiI-1SpZJoBPyCOvQlsaRryl4eXzgwlXsfiecE-KtsKbAOTQTA1pdCM/s1600/2013_0118AX.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYXkWKxx-FjC_w35uxXpIzBt8fB-aQjIC8YZsDn_AlpUWz0q8WCnaRhhTC2HYFw-Vj0a3pcR4zEF65MtUfTA7CiI-1SpZJoBPyCOvQlsaRryl4eXzgwlXsfiecE-KtsKbAOTQTA1pdCM/s320/2013_0118AX.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-45094290735296130632013-03-30T12:40:00.000+00:002013-03-30T12:40:13.204+00:00Pain In The HeadThe cold is doing my head in....literally! <br />
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I have stabbing headaches now and again and earache, too. It's like when I tip my head..a little elastic band twangs me in protest, saying 'Keep still!'. Arghhhh.... Might have to wear my deer hunter type wollie hat INSIDE the house to keep my brain warm. In fact, I will. Don't care if I look like a bit of a plonker. <br />
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Remarkably, the old rickety joints that make me hobble seem to have had a few days off. Has the RA gone? No...the RA's picking on my skull and ear bones now, as per above. It does that...wanders about the old bod and occasionally picks on different bones/joints for the torture. Weird. Bleurghhh!<br />
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Junior has been baking. I went out to get supplies from the local shop (leccy and cat food) and came back to find a PILE of pots in the previously clean and empty sink. That's the deal. She bakes and then forgets about the pots. lol The Washing Up Fairy will do it. Ah well....I shall tuck into lovingly iced and chocolated cupcakes. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Cinnamon Swirl and Custard.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"> Made the other day using puff pastry, smearing of mincemeat and chocolate spread and then rolled up, sliced and baked. Lovely when it's warm. When it's cold..as in next day...it can be used as a weapon! I think I inadvertently invented a new super glue! lol </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJiwCTXIrM2hgGxzHU1cPI_B7oBRYB5HVqgTqkBou4HTIqbhJw_R-vgygpZadJsB7TaAeIx2SZ6KWWXfPeMP7y_frpEQ7jUt8AbkYxEdCJ55un-39d3_Zr1FS0xZ3nw9e_9GbOMUCvNc/s1600/2013_0324AE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJiwCTXIrM2hgGxzHU1cPI_B7oBRYB5HVqgTqkBou4HTIqbhJw_R-vgygpZadJsB7TaAeIx2SZ6KWWXfPeMP7y_frpEQ7jUt8AbkYxEdCJ55un-39d3_Zr1FS0xZ3nw9e_9GbOMUCvNc/s320/2013_0324AE.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">The Choc Drop Cupcakes. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">When I reminded Junior that we had a load of chocolate in for baking purposes, I meant that she could melt in and use as an icing...not as an embelishment. Still, v nice with a cuppa.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCLQdb0vPXkS1BApf2rUCBc4knDQC4r2jxDPUrI6nz6BSlhRh5Yu2TQYm-KTvUzFMyN3W5N7W9N83UxDNIOWqUsqLP5vUx0GhTPt9F700_yJpKW0nr_8eOQYe3h72QAMLYKbCcMiKZxk/s1600/2013_0329AE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCLQdb0vPXkS1BApf2rUCBc4knDQC4r2jxDPUrI6nz6BSlhRh5Yu2TQYm-KTvUzFMyN3W5N7W9N83UxDNIOWqUsqLP5vUx0GhTPt9F700_yJpKW0nr_8eOQYe3h72QAMLYKbCcMiKZxk/s320/2013_0329AE.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-42907966705567979112013-03-12T17:46:00.002+00:002013-03-12T17:46:20.136+00:00The Great Big DCAh..bugger! I am knee deep in crap. Not THAT sort, but crap nonetheless.<br />
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To start with, we seem to have enough cardboard boxes in this house to build a..'I'll huff and I'll puff' house. We are in the process of decluttering. Ack.....I hate doing this. How do we end up with so much stuff? And, just to add to the chaos, Junior is clearing out her stuff, too which always ends up on the landing. <i>To her mind, as long as it's out of her room, that's ok...sigh... The bagging/boxing it all up is not her job! </i><br />
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You see, my main predicament is re all those unwanted/too small/too big clothes. I'm terrible. The upcycler in me sees their potential for transformation into something else. Chop them up into squares.....quilts, cut into strips....rag rugs, chop chop.....and there you might have something else as equally useful. 'Noooooo' says Junior. 'Get rid of it all NOW!' So, I ignore her and chop away, saving buttons, zips, embelishments, etc and just as I think I may be getting somewhere and reducing the pile, I spots an item of clothing that she wore at a certain place/time/etc and I go all glassy-eyed and warble at the memories..... and think to myself that <i>I'll keep that one for the memories</i>. WRONG! You see, before I can say 'charity shop/car boot sale', I have a 4 foot pile of memories in front of me...and nowhere to store it. Sigh.... And, don't even get me started on the nik naks and junk aka stuff rescued from Mother's....<i>.I love me stuff:o) </i><br />
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Where to put it all, though?<br />
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I know! Get another shed. Yay! My friend has one for just the same purpose. To store stuff that she can't let go of but hasn't got room for in the house. So, she has the best of both worlds...space (that she'll no doubt fill again) and 'custody' of her things with 'full access rights'. Lol <br />
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Shed No 5. What d'ya think? I can hear the 'Noooooooo' at this end already. lolMinniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-10770055094642446432013-03-08T16:31:00.000+00:002013-03-08T16:31:02.167+00:00International Women's Day<br />
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Love and respect to all ladies around the world.Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-65399326207534009182013-02-26T15:49:00.000+00:002013-02-26T15:49:24.161+00:00Rat BagThere was I, cleaning out and refilling the cat litters that are housed in the lean-to/garden room. Long, boring job. Cats Best litter, bin liners, poly roll, lavender and orange smelling Dettol, mop and bucket and iTunes..all at the ready. Junior won't do this task, even though half the mogs are hers...unless she is rewarded handsomely and I cross her palm with a ridiculous amount of money. (Last time she wangled twenty quid out of me for fifteen minutes work. ) No minimum wage for that one! <br />
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So, instead of giving Ms Trump I am hard at work and the mogs wander in and eye me up.. I know this behaviour. It's called 'hovering and then going for it'. They dive into the cleaned out litters and leave me a 'present' now and again..instead of <b>waiting until I'm finished</b>! It's like...'Hurry up...I'm desperate..sorry, gotta go!' lol <br />
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Well, I <b>am</b> nearly done. Last litter just to put down. I turns round, distracted by some Junior question. Then..the 'aroma'. Oh shit....not again!<br />
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Then, I spot <b>it</b> and her! Muppet..by name and muppet by nature..has kindly left a pressie...where the litter usually is. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh! <i>Well, at least it was 'firm' and not like 'soup' this time! </i> She hasn't been well lately and I thought she was 'on her way out', if you get my meaning. Rasping with her breathing, snoring, dribbling and crapping 'outside the box'. I put it down to imminent departure time and have been spoiling her rotten and she's been milking it for all its worth. I hate smug cats sometimes. Sigh. Well, think she has developed nodules in her nose and that explains her 'noise'. She has the Darth Vader sound! You can hear her Darth Vadering around the house.<br />
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Anyway, before I can get myself together, she stares at me as she wanders off into the house and gives the 'Can't get the staff' look. Ooooooooooooooooo!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Rat Bag aka Darth Vader is at the back.</span><br />
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Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042481797612983566.post-36571766573025665602013-02-24T21:10:00.002+00:002013-02-24T21:10:24.087+00:00Our RatatouilleWhen the kids were small I used to make this. They loved it, apparently! I had the ingredients to hand last night....needed using up to be honest, so we had this with gnocchi. Very yum. All meat-free.<br />
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I don't really do exact measurements..lol.. Takes about half an hour start to finish and we end up with about 4 cereal bowls full.<br />
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<b><u>INGREDIENTS</u></b><br />
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Aubergine - 2<br />
Courgettes - 2 large<br />
Onions - 2 large<br />
Peppers - 2 ..roasted in oven while you are sauteeing veg - I use the red pointy ones..cheaper.<br />
Mushrooms..I use normal shrooms - 200g punnet We like them!!<br />
Garlic..chopped - 2 cloves<br />
Fennel Seeds..chopped - teaspoon<br />
Dried Parsley, Basil - teaspoon each<br />
Salt and Pepper - to taste<br />
Tetra pack of passata<br />
Squirt of tomato puree<br />
Bit of water to loosen if too stiff<br />
Olive oil for sauteeing the veg<br />
Tsp sugar<br />
Knob of marg/butter<br />
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<b><u>METHOD</u></b><br />
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<b>P</b>ut the peppers in the oven so the skins blacken a bit. Should take about 15/20 mins.<br />
<b>C</b>hop the veg up. I have them all roughly the same size.<br />
<b>F</b>ry up the aubergine, slowly in the oil. It soaks oil up really quickly, so add water if it gets dry.<br />
<b>A</b>dd the chopped fennel seeds. These really make a difference.<br />
<b>A</b>dd onions, then chopped garlic. Sautee for a few minutes to soften. Don't let it colour<br />
<b>A</b>dd courgettes and mushrooms. I like the courgettes to have a bit of a bite in the finished dish.<br />
<b>A</b>dd the dried herbs, salt and pepper. Stir for a few minutes.<br />
<b>A</b>dd the passata and a bit of water if it's too thick. I don't like my ratatouille too watery.<br />
<b>A</b>dd the tomato puree and stir in, with the sugar. Sometimes, tomato can be a bit tart, so that's why we add sugar...but you don't have to.<br />
<b>L</b>et it simmer for 10/15 minutes.<br />
<b>Meanwhile</b>....take the peppers out of the oven . The skins should be blackened. Pop them on a chopping board and the skins should come off easily. They will, obviously, be hot, so use a serrated knife and fork to get the skins off and scrape out the seeds. You don't want these in your finished dish. I know people say stick them in a pastic bag or cover with clingfilm so they steam up..but I think it's too much of a fiddle and the skins come off pretty easily <i>my way</i>...doing a Frank Sinatra here! lol<br />
<b>C</b>hop up the peppers roughly and add to the stew. (I know it's a faff, but the peppers taste differently done this way. Creamier. None of the burpy repeats, if you get my meaning, that you get with raw or braised? Raw pepper gives me that aftertaste! Yuk. )<br />
Add a knob of butter or marg..it gives it a bit of a creaminess.<br />
Adjust your seasoning and serve.<br />
<b><i>Don't have it boiling hot. Let it cool a tad. Tastes better then.</i></b><br />
We had ours on gnocchi with chopped up mozzarella cheese. <br />
I had some today with a 'buttered' mini baguette and some chunks of mozzarella plonked in the stew. (we had mozz that needed using up)<br />
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I suppose you could blend the stew, if you have any 'Bits of veg in my food' haters and use it as a sauce. lol I should think that you'd be able to freeze it. Put a freezer bag inside a plastic container. Pour in the Ratatouille and seal. Keep in the container. Put them in the freezer. When frozen you can take the bag out of the box and the bag containing the stew will stack up nicely in the freezer and you can use the box again. That way you get to store frozen stuff of the same size in nice portions. Easier to keep in the freezer in an ordered way. I hate it when you open the freezer door and stuff comes shooting out because everything is frozen in odd shapes.<br />
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Oh my God....I'm getting organised! lol...not enough to post a piccie, though. You all know what a bowl of ratatouille looks like, don't you?<br />
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<br />Minniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770118579029775245noreply@blogger.com0