tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009319315861558862024-03-19T21:27:06.669+00:00Lizzie's LifeLife is for living. Lizzie @ her homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18257339462096688164noreply@blogger.comBlogger1401125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-75229045535354261012020-07-17T17:40:00.001+01:002020-07-17T17:40:52.311+01:00My lifeMy wonderful husband has died. He was in hospital for some weeks but this was very unexpected. I won’t be reading or writing for the foreseeable future. Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-49068258367486801992020-06-15T08:32:00.001+01:002020-06-15T08:32:47.749+01:00Blogger problemsSo now it would appear I cant comment on my own blog. Sigh. <div>Normally i would uninstall and re-install everything but this is just live in the browser :(.</div><div>So I do feel a moan coming on but I have to remember that if this is all that i have to moan about then I am doing okay really.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I do have another moan. I thought I had hay fever but its been going on so long now that I am no longer sure. A week before lock down I started coughing and it still going on. Just a dry tickly cough. But over the weekend a few times I coughed until I was sick. Its very unsettling and so tiring as no chance of much sleep. I am going to call the doctor for an appointment although I have no idea how that works at the moment as I think they are also working form home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three weeks later!</div><div><br /></div><div>Still cant work out how to comment on my own blog but can comment on other people blogs but only if I read on my laptop. So the phone and ipad, which i normally use when not working, don't let me comment. But I can at least join in at some level which is very pleasing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well I did ring the doctor and this time she did phone for my appointment instead of ticking me off the list and saying I hadn't answered (we don't have a landline and the receptionist is a bit of a know-it-all and wont listen as i try to explain). The doctor agreed that its probably gastroesophagal reflux. In normal times this would mean an endoscopy and then treatment but endoscopies are not happening at the hospital at the moment (too much mucous, she said, yuk). Instead it is straight in with treatment. Oh my goodness I do feel better. Apparently the naproxen I take for my should impingement has made it worse. So i had to stop that but the pain in my shoulders is so bad that after a week I went back to it. SO now I do feel 100% better. I have had an xray of my chest every winter for last 3 or 4 years because of my endless cough. As that seem to imply a weakness in my chest I found that quite nerve wracking during the coronavirus outbreak. Coupled with my diabetes I could see that finishing me off! Anyway I am still staying in doors on the whole but more now because I don't want to pass it on to Fahed, with his heart problems or my dad. Dad is 92 and my sister and I are caring for him. He is strong and stubborn enough to beat the virus, maybe, but i would prefer not to put him in that position so we are all still on lock-down here. Thank goodness for Amazon. They might not pay their taxes but damn, they are fast at delivering all my various 'wants'. </div><div><br /></div><div>And so, life goes on, but I do feel a lot better. I had a lockdown birthday last weekend (very weird as no visitors and no going out but the food was great) and turned 58 (since you asked). However due to improving health and health management I think I feel better than I did a decade ago. I wish I had tried harder to find why I felt so awful but I just assumed it was age. </div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-36979325121040416562020-05-14T10:32:00.000+01:002020-05-14T10:36:09.814+01:00Whats going on????As we have discussed I can still read other peoples blog, and I do, every day, they're great. But when i try to comment I can type my message but it doesn't seem to 'go though'. So today when I logged into blogger to waffle on a bit I couldn't even type in there! I can see the older posts in the edit format but no way of commencing a new post. I am now wondering if i have some ancient old version of blogger that is quietly falling apart so I might see if I can update things and start joining in with everyone properly again.<div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, whats going on around here!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well Jamal was due an operation on his foot, which was cancelled 2 hours before we had to be at hospital, two days before the lock-down came in. He was fine and no problem with the cancellation but he has subsequently clipped it as he was walking and now its twisted and swollen. So he cant really walk. I think it could be some months before he gets his op. Hospitals being a bit busy right now, and all that. Also not a great time to be in a big building with lots of poorly people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fahed put his back out removing some ivy from the back garden. He is wearing his surgical corset from when he has his spine operation a couple of years back and pretty sure its the only thing keeping him upright but he has managed to clear the garden of all that horrid ivy and has built me a shed! He is felting the roof today and then it can go in position. Yay! Have to say though he is so grumpy, from the pain (giving him the benefit of the doubt) that I might just shut him in the shed once its safely in position.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recycling centre have opened this week in Hampshire so I am fairly hopefully we can clear the garden of all the old wood and lump of tree/ivy at some point. Although I don't want to make his back worse so maybe we should give it a few more days.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have been having lovely meals since lock-down. Time to plan and cook and everyone here at once to eat together. I haven't actually gained anything but we haven't been being as healthy as usual (home made flapjacks anyone???). So next week we are all trying to be more sensible.</div><div><br /></div><div>And lastly. I am thinking of buying a new bike. I have the chance to buy one through work which deducts the cost from salary pre tax, so i only pay 60% of bike cost.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I don't really have debts to worry about, except the mortgage and that's going away fairly well, then I have been concentrating on saving money to finish the old house in Crete. Its not hugely easy as Fahed is furloughed, which is 80% of basic but also misses out on all his 1 to 1 tuition payments, but as we cant go anywhere then we are definitely spending less. So maybe we progress!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are very lucky here. I wouldn't have wanted 8 weeks in doors in some of the places we have lived over the years. This house is not big but there is a garden and its close by the allotment. And we all get on (mostly, when no-one in pain!) so could be a lot worse.</div><div><br /></div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-17229152163218379432020-04-30T15:23:00.003+01:002020-04-30T15:23:57.852+01:00Stocks and stuffSo it could be an indication I have been at home too long or something else, I dont know. But i have started saving bones for stock again, like i used to. Top drawer of the freezer has three ziploc bags.<br />
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Bag 1 (they aren't actually numbered though, honest) Lamb bones, and random veg which would be good in stock<br />
Bag 2 Same but chicken bones<br />
Bag 3 - random veg which wouldn't be suitable for stock but would make a soup ( peppers, tomatoes, parsley, mushrooms)<br />
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I am assuming this is some sort of coping strategy which I am using to get through the madness but I have never been quite so old school in my food management.<br />
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I have had a failure though. I had some frozen loganberries from last year. A bit too seedy for jam so i made jelly. Then i dried the solids, which had been drained off, in my dehumidifier and then ground it in the spice grinder. Sadly, despite smelling and looking amazing, it tasted awful. Oh well, you cant win them all. I am going to try again with lemon zest. Not giving up yet! oh and the loganberry jelly was fantastic. I also made some ice lollies with Greek yogurt and the jelly, Wow!<br />
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I painted the sitting room ceiling (7 coats!!!) and now the marks have gone.<br />
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Keeping busy and do 'homey' type stuff is definitely helping me. I don't know if i would be coping so well if i wasn't also working form home full time. Also i cant concentrate enough to watch a film or anything complex, just cookery shows, youtube demos of things, easy watches. Cant even concentrate on a book. But no worries, whatever gets us through.<br />
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My lovely best friend now has COVID 19. She has been feeling rough for a couple of weeks but got her test results yesterday (front line health worker ). She kept saying to me 'i feel so lazy, i dont feel like doing anything'. And all the time she had the virus :(. Now he husband and son also have it. Its not great as they are both asthmatic but fortunately otherwise fit. Its a scary time. <br />
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<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-83918684502373824642020-04-28T18:30:00.001+01:002020-04-28T18:30:51.681+01:00Flour!Oh my gosh, I never thought i would be so excited to get hold of flour. The whole country appears to have decided to start baking. Flour and yeast are the two things you cant get anywhere! We have plenty of loo rolls now, plenty of most things but flour very scarce. However i have managed to buy some wholesale. Apparently there is plenty around if you are happy to have 16kg of it. They would normally sell to the restaurants, coffee shops etc that are closed. But they don't have the facility to bag the flour in 1kg bags. So anyway I now have 16kg of strong bread flour......and another 16kg of plain flour. Which is a lot of flour! Hopefully my yeast turns up soon.<br />
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Also our local farm , which sells raw Jersey milk, cream, their own eggs and various vegetables, even their own honey, have started a delivery service. So I might make some cheese this weekend if i can get a delivery in time.<br />
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The heatwave is over and we have rain. Which is lovely as it means not dragging endless buckets of water to the allotment for the French beans.<br />
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So tomorrow I have two lots of training, online off course. 2 hours each session. Hopefully not too much other work to do as training very tiring in this format.<br />
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Also hope to make a pie for lunch. Yay for flour.<br />
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And i think i should be thinking about making masks.<br />
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<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-43810541869559793352020-04-23T13:29:00.000+01:002020-04-24T09:40:00.086+01:00Back to basicsI am still working, from home, and still be paid, forever grateful for this. Fahed isnt working but should be getting furloughed hopefully at some point. Jamal and his girlfriend are living here during lock down.<br />
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So we have less money coming in but I am feeding more adults.<br />
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However I do have loads more time on my hands. Still working full time but not driving from place to place and wasting hours each week. So I have time to run through my budget and do a bit of sorting out. I'll crack on with that today.<br />
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I am not spending my pocket money on exercise classes, weekly lunch out with co-workers, new work clothes etc so I have more cash available.<br />
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Oh and still meal planning.<br />
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Monday - Leftovers (from carb fest day - even better). A few slices of HM pizza each and side of various salads.<br />
Tuesday - Freezer surprise! Using up a few things which had been frozen!<br />
Wednesday - Fahed has horta (steamed greens served cold with lemon and olive oil in the Greek way). Jamal and I had cauliflower cheese. Sam had a tin of soup as she isnt so much of a veg person.<br />
Thursday - Jamal made us chicken Kiev with chicken breasts. Had mine with sweetcorn and a jacket spud. It was more like just garlic chicken than Kiev, so a good excuse to practice more.<br />
Friday - Biftekia and oven potatoes<br />
Saturday-Lemon chicken (cant wait!)<br />
Sunday - Roast Beef, roast potatoes, mushy peas, broccoli, sprouts.<br />
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Fahed is spending the time to really sort out his shed, so that will mean he can find things instead of buying new for little jobs about the place. I am counting this as a win.<br />
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Take care all xxx<br />
<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-29089376532029682592020-04-23T08:51:00.000+01:002020-04-23T08:51:29.521+01:00Exercise under lockdownWe are allowed out once a day for exercise. Normally its a nice walk. Its fairly quiet around here and the woodlands pretty. especially now at bluebell time. And something to look forward to at lunchtime when I break from my 'working form home' fun!<br />
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And this is my friends dog swimming over to see her new friends at the Alpaca farm</div>
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<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-27125667506526531082020-04-21T09:42:00.002+01:002020-04-21T09:43:46.787+01:00New normalI was reading an article this morning about the various strains of coronavirus. In Europe we have the deadliest strain, which has made its way to New York. It seems to be an ever changing foe, as these new strains have evolved since it left China. I am not going to worry, its outside of my sphere of influence. Once upon a time I would have worried but I have got to the place where, on the whole, I cant step back if I cant do anything. Focus inside of your sphere of influence. For me I think feeding the family and taking care of dad is the centre of my current universe.<br>
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What will we be like after this? All back to normal? or changed for the better? or worse. Apparently China very much business as usual now. I would like to hang on to people knowing and appreciating the home at the centre of their lives, family, community, slowing down a bit, appreciating others. There are plenty of positives in our situation. And that's not to say that I don't think that the 16,000 death in the UK in unimportant because that's 16,000 grieving families. <br>
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Also masks! So we shouldn't use masks because it gives us a false sense of security, so we might get closer to someone than we should, unless they are surgical masks and we should leave those for medical people. But when we come out of lockdown then we might need to wear them. Some countries have it compulsory and some forbidden. As far as i can see they don't stop you catching the virus but they might stop you passing it on. So i think I might see if i can find some sensible online instructions. I assume the actual fabric does little and i shall need someway of inserting filters or...something.<br>
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And <a href="http://outmywindowtoday.blogspot.com/">Kim @outmywindow</a> I am still reading regularly but I cant comment anymore :(. So just wanted to say hi xx<br>
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Today Fahed is giving my bike a bit of a service, hopefully today. If there are no cars on the road then I might as well take advantage.<br>
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Lastly one of my favourite things at the moment is TV folk making programmes at home on their mobile phone or generally working from home. I missed this today but Martin CLunes forgetting he had an interview and rocking up in PJs and with his puppy for his interview is excellent!<div><img id="id_3718_5cd1_9a4a_4e11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jf7-uoO39LfNrRuJFwYO98Ae90dZbUm3rz4o9l2mg0idMRPm5cJ-0O5X69-nuVw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-36338252372300145232020-04-16T09:30:00.000+01:002020-04-16T09:30:23.727+01:00Three more weeks?Apparently the government will announce 3 more weeks of close down today. I suspect its like plane delays where they drip feed you with information but that's all fine with me. I would rather occasionally bored (news flash: I am not!) than dead.<br />
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Yesterday I decorated the sitting room! OK, that's an exaggeration but i touched up all the paint to give it a few more years. It look lovely. Today I am hanging picture in the alcove that most needed painting. I took them all down when the guys were fitting the new boiler a few months back but now its freshly decorated and I could hang them again. Today one of my plans is to do the same in the hall, stairs and landing area. Just touch up but refreshing. I have the same cream colour emulsion everywhere, with a few bright walls in between, so its fairly easy to keep track of the paint. Tomorrow the kitchen. Saturday any coloured areas ( minimal work there) and Sunday the bit I am avoiding, the ceiling of the sitting room.<br />
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Also today, my exercise, the period where we are allowed outside to keep fit, will be spent at the allotment planting raspberry canes, strawberry plant and maybe the beans.<br />
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Keeping busy, keeping some structure, keeping moving.Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-85893775626045332042020-04-15T10:09:00.004+01:002020-04-15T10:09:57.572+01:00FoodFor the first time ever we are successfully meal planning. Turns out all I needed for this to work is to be stuck indoors for a month with limited supplies! :)<br />
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The daily meal has become the centre of our world right now. We are mostly still working but everything is at home. So like almost everyone else there isn't much to think about doing. I am cleaning and decorating and all that but no exercise classes, swimming, working at other locations, all the things which make life fairly full, and actually fairly full on. But cooking is creative and keeps all of my senses busy so it has naturally become the centre of our little universe.<br />
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I dont think we are wasteful normally. Waste make me a cross. But at the moment I am determined not to waste a single lentil. So each meal must feed us exactly or be incorporated in a future meal. I am also feeding my dad on alternate days, so cant have anything too wild on those days. But that does mean that any single portions of freezable meals can go in the freezer for him.<br />
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Fahed has been going out each week to queue at the local ASDA to get what we need of fresh veg, fruit, dairy. He was gone for 3 hours last Friday for what would normally take about 45 minutes but he said it was actually really well organised and worked well. I think he has gone into hunter gatherer mode so feels he is actually contributing to our survival by going to do this. And he is, as shopping not half as easy as usual.<br />
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This weeks menu is:<br />
<b>Monday:</b> Chicken soup and burghal. Its actually a stew of potatoes, onions and tomatoes with chicken stock. Sometimes it has a little chicken in it for flavour but the veg is the star. Its serve don a bed of burghal (bulgar wheat). Took a portion to dad and also froze a portion for future.<br />
<b>Tuesday:</b>Fried Chicken and salads. Each person had a piece of chicken which i spiced, egg washed and dipped in cornflour, then fried it for a few minutes to crisp it up. Then into the oven for 40 minutes to cook through and also let the oil drain out. Served with home made coleslaw and lahanasalata, basically coleslaw but dressed with lemon and oil. That was a new way for chicken for us but very lovely. The salads will be good for a few days.<br />
<b>Wednesday: </b>Bangers and mash! Good old English tradition. Sausages cooked on the griddle, mashed potatoes, broccoli and i think there is also cauliflower cheese in the plan.<br />
<b>Thursday: </b>Lemon chicken. Chicken and potatoes cooked in the oven in lemon juice and garlic. There will be various leftover vegetables sides with this.<br />
<b>Friday: </b>Greek lamb and potatoes in the oven. Not sure what veggies yet.<br />
<b>Saturday: </b>Souzoukakia - Meat balls with tomato sauce<br />
<b>Sunday: Carb fest! </b>We can have what we like and no concern for healthy eating. At the moment it sounds like home made chips and home made pizza. I like my chips done in olive oil and sprinkled with oregano and feta. My mouth is now watering. I shan't need the cheese and tomato pizza if i can have that<br />
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Obsessed with food? Yes i think so. Far less likely to panic about everything if my focus is firmly inside the houseLizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-33057358250946322822020-04-12T10:36:00.001+01:002020-04-12T10:36:13.972+01:00Apparently it has been a while<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Just realised my last post was called 'it’s almost December'. So
actually now anyone who used to read has wandered off anyway, and i am just
writing for myself. But that’s ok, as it’s really a badly kept diary anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">So our new reality. Apparently
the threat of death, as a 'vulnerable' person, hanging over me is not as bad as
normal busy, busy, life. Since we have been sent home to self-isolate, and in
my case literally banned form the building, my blood pressure has returned to
the normal range for the first time in years. Its only day 6 but I am loving
being at home to work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">More time has passed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now been in doors for 3.5
weeks. My employer was quick off the mark and we were sent home with laptops etc.
about a week before lockdown came in. As a vulnerable person (I don’t feel
vulnerable, it’s just my diabetes) I am here for 12 weeks minimum, even if
lockdown ends before that. So in some ways that maybe makes it easier. I don’t
know. So Fahed was already at home. In fact he should have gone back to work
this week following his operation last November. He claims to be happier having
everyone home than he was for those first 3.5 months but I noticed his fuse is
a little short right now. Jamal was sent home a week after me and then
furloughed a week after that. However they still have a keeping in touch
conference call every morning, which takes up most of the morning but which
adds structure to the day. I suspect structure is what keeps us doing ok. Oh
and Jamal’s girlfriend has also moved in for the duration of lockdown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">So we have a structure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The three of us that are
working from home have coffee together first thing, then log on for work in
three different rooms. That works fine unless all have conference calls
together as the broadband can’t quite cope with that! So we do our four hours
morning work. Then all those who can walk (same three) go for our daily
exercise walk. Another four hours of work. Then, dinner all together. Then
Fahed watches TV or does something. I go to check on my dad, 92 and still
refusing to come and live with us. He likes the serenity of his own house and
likes gardening. The kids do some gaming or watch a movie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Thursday night at 8pm then we are out on the front step or hanging
out of the windows clapping for the carers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Weekends, we replace the daily exercise walk with an allotment
visit. Have to say the allotment has never looked better with so much attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We are very much trying to look on the bright side obviously. On
the whole its working. We will never get this much time together again. And for
Fahed and I then maybe its practice for retiring in a few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">But I miss my older son very, very much. We have a Sunday facetime
session with him, his partner and the boys. I am pleased to say they are loving
it too and the boys are enjoying Becky home schooling with them. They agree the
only downside, as long as we don’t look at the bigger picture, is that we don’t
see each other. I miss my sister and her family as well. And when we have
conference with my team I realise how much I miss them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">I watch the government press briefings every day at 5 but stop
before the journalist start asking their inane questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The main way we are managing, I think, is to just focus on here
and now, not the big picture or the future. That seems to be what works for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">If anyone is reading this then I hope you days are manageable.
Stay in doors and keep safe as best you can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-77996754776580497382019-11-30T10:04:00.003+00:002019-11-30T10:04:21.642+00:00Almost DecemberHow did that happen. I have been a bit wrapped up in things htis year and missed a year going swiftly by.<br />
<br />
Fahed has now had his operation. All went well and he is home but unable to walk, with crutches, any furtehr than the loo. Also somewhat dozy as he is on really strong pain killers. Good news though is that he seems to get some sort of sick pay which is really good. His first certificate runs until 2nd January, when he has his check up.<br />
<br />
The allotment is looking good. One of my big hobbies is the allotment that my youngest son and I have. We do the no dig method of <a href="https://charlesdowding.co.uk/">Charles Dowding</a>. At the moment we have lots of garlic in, all the herbs and the fruit. The fruit bishes are due for a prube tomorrow morning. Otherwise its all about preparing the beds for action in February.<br />
<br />
My house made cheese is still maturing but so far it looks fantastic. As soon as Fahed is vertical again we'll be making some more of both feta and camenbert. I am going on a day course in February to learn a bit more.<br />
<br />
Driving up to the hospital every night ( 60 mile round trip) has menat i have missed my exercise classes and got a bit behind on other stuff but now he is home then surely i can get on top of things!Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-24981288913454248912019-11-24T07:51:00.001+00:002019-11-24T07:53:45.224+00:00Life update: where things get a little more rosyI had a bit of a talk to myself about being so down and how it wasn’t really helping anyone etc etc. I also started taking St Johns Wort. Between the two I maybe turned a corner. Has anyone found St John Wort useful?<div>Fahed has been quite hard work since holiday because he had a date for his nasty knee operation. He is unsettled and doesn’t really get why and he doesn’t realise talking helps. Anyway, yesterday was knee op day. he had a tribal osteoporosis and the surgeon has said it all went very well. Also they videod the operation to use as a training film. Another doctor is seeing him today as they are studying him. I think because he had one knee down with a bone graft and one without. He’s enjoying that bit I think. He is in much pain but he can cope with that. The operation is behind him and he is the centre of medical attention, so perfect! The hospital is about 30 miles away. I’ll go up when visiting starts at 2 and stay until it closes.</div><div><br></div><div>I went on a cheese making course. It was only a single day but it was fantastic! I just want to be a cheesemaker now. I made a goodly chunk of feta and 3 Camembert. They are all maturing nicely. We also learnt about making labneh, which we already made and how to make it into a lovely Boursin type spread. Lastly she showed us how to make a Baileys Irish cream type drink. Well it wasn’t my thing but the family has gone mad for it so I shall be making that for plenty of people as a little Christmas gift.</div><div><br></div><div>Some cheesy photos. Checkout the venue. Very lovely. They provided us with induction hobs and pans which didn’t work with induction hobs. Pretty weird as it’s a purpose built cookery school. Short of a lot of equipment but lovely location and excellent tutor.</div><div><img id="id_cf84_2544_2e1f_ee11" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/KuL9rVPdhu8I3O03sLjuV0jgUezbYLln0db01jEhiD9B0LlFDpOUPIf71AI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_265d_4b0_205e_f748" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NZ5XZgmQ1k7sGxB_JnaW4Q8w02lUuv0gN_i4zCMXNr6SAhut0oLqs7JZkbk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_27cf_9e4b_19b3_202" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TCJ7T_bMsQx4l9j9Z3s0xRUs_apypFjOO6eFjjHbwoZAlCAby5WioaopP70" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7bc4_388b_d3d0_2c52" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/u0J8wrY_0ImvoEzEhGu9guhq8_Kn6VcYsnL9X-zwcRajRG82Dxa9gVQmrgM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_cb03_e38c_2c4e_d88" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/n583yfSmjeH7kB8GvxM4cUddh473ZRREFgb_tI40Kkg6zgilbRNBkPCDWK4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_177e_e72_6821_8b1c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pQMPH15FtF6hTAInEQhniv7rgGr3_QlIIM6azrAM4D1Shh1Fib62pLIdbK4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_eefc_e5a8_2595_3d56" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T4TZOkSQyoYfXiSqTHU9FzXRRwT8YOW_gAI_XD6mfhJs9ychQMi3ubyVGoc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-777007809477128952019-10-27T19:09:00.000+00:002019-10-27T19:09:16.472+00:00Autumn has arrivedI can tell as we have had rain pretty much non stop for so many days. And its getting colder.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_3057_9888_ce9e_86ca" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zx4k1bOuiype9b6AjsrSEJlqSDWvd-BEXSuZcij9IkOtnJyAPTa2y_Q45l4" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<br />
<b>Part 1:</b><br />
So obviously thats a great time to have my boiler changed! Which is why on a Saturday morning in late October I am sitting in my conservatory (sitting room is out of action) with no heating, gas, water or electricty. My office, which is aorund the corner of the house form the conservatory but open into it, is so tidy and lovely. I have been chucking stuff out and decluttering all morning. Very enjoyable! But I do need something to make it just a bit lovlier. I have a curtain I might hang over the bathroom door. Its a long and narrow room so i cant really move the furniture around. I dont like the flooring so maybe a rug would help. I have plenty of time to contemplate it as I sit here in the cold and gloom :)<br />
<br />
<b>Part 2:</b><br />
Boiler is in, water is back on, as is gas, power, heating(ah, lovely) and the wifi. I am always appreciative of these luxuries, especially since when we are at the other house the power and water often go off for hours at a time, but i'll be especially grateful today having been without them yesterday.<br />
<br />
My old boiler was about 30 years old. Gas Man Adam tells me that the new poiler is 98% efficient so my gas bill should plummet. So good for m y purse, good for the enviroment. I might allow the heating on more often too, so good for the rest of the family too!<br />
<br />
I am writing this from the conservatory still. We havent taken all the furntiure back in and cleared up properly yet. Its still not especially warm out here, and this is our largest room, so I am wondering if lining the curtains and remembering to shut them at night might be a good idea. I like to have some indoor projects to do during winter so maybe thats on my list, and also covering the chaors. The old fabric is not my favourite but I have some lovely fabric i brought back from Crete which would work.<br />
<br />
We cleared all of the shoes, boots, bags, coats and general clutter form the hallways yesterday to make it easier for the gasmen. It looks so good that we are trying to leave it relatively unlcuttered. I wonder how long that will last!<br />
<br />
So today is all about putting furniture and other bits back/away. The sitting room needs a bit of touch up to the painting in the but basically its ok, not much. The fireplace where the old back boiler was is going to be lined and framed off and used to store the sky box, games consules, surround sound and so on.<br />
<img alt="" id="id_6741_1dc2_a113_a52f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WtWCYoLFiEqJoCaMnPzQ31IDaYRgj6ZT9ZlD1sLN2sRHte7Yyj-5mo2pwC4" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<div>
The wall where the thermostt used to be is now clear of stuff so I plan to put a large miroor there. Oh and Jamal now has a wardrobe, the old airing cupboard but the tank is removed and the boiler is fairly small. I am sure he wont be any more tidy than he was before though.<br />
<br />
And Happy Diwali to all</div>
<div>
<img alt="" id="id_55cd_fdfe_c1a8_3dea" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Es8s3Eq7NoZhnTBSnbwc0fw0fdlEGFmg6-jYBzVedEEdYk1I77_kxKD-dX4" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-26958224268549336392019-10-19T21:29:00.002+01:002019-10-19T21:36:13.252+01:00Super SaturdayThats what the papers are calling today. First time parliament has sat on a Saturday for 37 years. However I wont be talking about that because I am heartily fed up with all of our politicians & with the B word.<br>
<br>
So instead!<br>
<br>
Its rained all week here. If i had anything still growing on the allotment then it would be very happy. Instead its raining and neither my garden nor the allotment really care. Doh!<br>
<img id="id_d425_5cb9_2ff1_4157" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kEqtMWymzEZp4fDdZshRvskhGPYasRZL2-FNeCSUE_hVYzXwm9pyCm06izs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>
Fahed and Jamal were working over there this week though on our new 'no dig' way of doing things.<br>
We'll be planting garlic and shallots in this bed at the end of the month.<br>
<br>
<br>
And today, as most Saturdays, I went out with my dad. We went to look at gas fires. And then for lunch at Wetherspoons.<br>
<img id="id_34a7_b6ed_78a4_a157" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xpssXpaDwvfk3VEcTl8U44F0-TgSofi3qbLbO2NT6PsXOEJARDLRcKwSv8U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_90a0_e2d4_794e_21c7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j-52sJy6YxCOZsS9U84-XDCcjYO8Azq4yYL_KZibzd5KhWlGnch4AxlZ6N0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>
<br>
This afternoon was back home to help in the garden. fahed is building what he calls a barbecue but what seems to be turning into an outdoor kitchen. But i love cooking in the garden so its all good with me :)<div><img id="id_6c8b_1441_8221_dc08" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G9HUujnXCQXynb6yOCw-Tc7bD_wvqEuRZxw5Vl5abx_8QnMxDQzmiG0YTag" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>
<br></div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-23127536720328501952019-10-12T10:22:00.000+01:002019-10-12T10:22:56.977+01:00Lets talk about something good!<br />
<ul>
<li>I went to the other house and it was lovely!</li>
<li><br /></li>
<li>My dad came with us, with my youngest son, for the first 5 days. Its his first time since losing my mum and he definitely had some sad moments, as did I, but overall he was happy he came and he did enjoy himself. My other son and his girlfriend stayed for another week after that. We had a great time but less holidayish and more work, work, work :). After they went we had a final 8 days with just Fahed and I, and that was even more work! But it was great and I love the progress we make in such a short time.</li>
<li><br /></li>
<li>I have a got done list!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Property registered. Everyone was telling me what a complete arse ache this was but because we accidentally had the property only in one name and because, although we have multiple houses (only one fit for purpose) they are all on one piece of land. On top of that the surveyor who legalised our land had already confirmed the GPS co-ordinates. So I was happy with this and it certainly didn't cost as much as these things normally seem to do!</li>
<li>Had an electric plan made of the old house which we can use to change the name on the electricity supply. It surprisingly hard to get the name change (hence 12 years later still in my neighbours late fathers name) but we have made progress.</li>
<li>We enquired about the old stone water tower which is behind and above our house, 5.5m sq and 3m high, and found that because it has been out of use for more than 15 years then it now belongs to us. We need to fit windows and doors but suddenly we have another potential rental property and at the very least, a way to gain an extra bedroom.</li>
<li><img alt="" id="id_9bae_ac5e_a9e0_187e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6q2nU_vbi5U9bdk6MDnTYlSqWPvnkA3yazh7imwHblvqQPubNYWPO_68Ebk" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_a627_bb21_bb18_5ffb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1kOAIl7LeQVt2rAPBwL1pUEV9NEWfv9_gIxGYN2Aqa9Ui4yA2zmrHDl6QOw" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_cb30_79bd_ed66_d624" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CyvmtEZlYhigx4W5L_T7aQnfdVXp8uu6NXrL-hmDjk0BLcUsE_ZZ6Vkk76c" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></li>
<li>I had three more cameras fitted at the house. We can see all sides from outside, one inside upstairs,one inside downstairs, and my favourite,. One that looks out from my balcony towards the sea :). So far the biggest problem with this is that it makes me homesick!</li>
<li><img alt="" id="id_4114_24de_cc0_a0fb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zb2_XQ3UC1OAvLD098eH3kwDuOqvtc_OCpNFv5zlBsn3HbgVUmceikSO-70" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></li>
<li>We re-purchased all of the goods that we had stolen so that the insurance company could have the receipts. I have submitted everything and am waiting on the cheque.</li>
<li>One of those re-puchases was for a plate compactor. Fahed fixed our drive, which is basically a road about 1590m long and the last 20 metres down tot he official road was awful, like driving off a cliff awful but now its smooth and lovely!</li>
<li><img alt="" id="id_f588_cf74_3223_6acf" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/t2yOXvwQ6H6bSCgxN-cNMcfI2IHYfAuKX-AtyeBLc-jU56ITIVKqjnPwBEM" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_d9ad_916e_ce6e_27c6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/L5BW_3wTyk35eotuUG2ffgKx2lxVHVNGGiS3c4FYQJFkBPbdDjwJlOHqCvc" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></li>
<li>He also started work on the garden. Got all the long grasses and weeds cut back, laid some membrane, laid 10 ton (yes, actual ten tons) of scalping's and compressed them into a sensible back yard where you can walk with falling over. We also surveyed the rest of the land, which is pretty difficult to climb around and found we have about 7 olives trees, numerous carob trees and a couple of figs trees. We need to take the chain saw out in spring and really sort the poor neglected old things out. We also need to sort out a watering system.</li>
<li><img alt="" id="id_b569_5e3_1abe_a780" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bDvJ9B3uDItNg7lWqsRc18sAhlb5Hk9Oxuv_W9ab-xzJISuPQL-UgBSf9RI" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_310b_194d_a470_d23b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YkhZvyU39nyl9DgU_TQgp3cCFoycyGlaNTK-GpuyO5svCbckATXdLf5t4yI" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_51a_d68e_4d53_13ff" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Diqqg2I2nBZRtgsnJI6SSJHICHVMD0mzQ30cboti6udph0gJj35Cp-DXj-M" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_72bd_7736_bc30_70a0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Vy7ubPXg1ozpMfQ0ee3sEuYv55YjNHUwEpelPY9Ld_f4fKKVknB0jjRsjDE" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_e90b_b3fb_73cf_1228" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-foKUj_vPApTXstx-YUO_3IlAbVqJXffAa40wYbMaVLPk5-23sXMlWgb7RI" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></li>
<li>The kids painted their bedroom and it looks so lovely that we now feel the need to paint everything else. We also identified that the windows on the side which butts up to a rock face have never been filled properly, so that needs doing before we paint the others.</li>
<li>We bought some wood and made shelves for their room, and they look fantastic.<img alt="" id="id_7a9f_d054_f87f_da51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XIKc_xYjX3h38WNOeGvVh6xUzfAMdDicGAt6YAcJ7pPeuZKDV4oUj8qCp6s" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_e4e8_6b10_70de_bcf4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nWg7vqXVs63lTOygcGBvJipJmB-iA-_Z-9Vc_ZB2P1OclaqTUAfKU72KWr4" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /></li>
<li>Fahed framed a wonderful abstract oil painted map of the world to hang in our room. </li>
<li>Today I am hoping we can make a plan of our spring 'to do' list.</li>
<li><br /></li>
<li>Now I need to try to add some phots!</li>
</ul>
Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-9562367736225910012019-09-03T14:01:00.000+01:002019-09-03T14:01:04.357+01:00More, just more of the sameI am sure anyone who reads will be sick and tired of my bad news stories but this week, or actually last week, is the worst.<br />
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I saw an email from work on Tuesday morning after bank holiday that said 'someone in finance has died over the weekend and we are making the announcement at ten,can we please ask you to keep the other teams away from us at ten and afterwards'. Apparently the email shouldn't have come to me. So y boss phones and before he can speak I say ' I saw the email, on my way to the office'. He was waiting for me and ushered me into a side room where I was told the bad news. One of our younger team members was killed the previous day. Such a lovely girl, just an absolute ray of sunshine. Only 27. She worked for me for many years before getting her current position in another part of the finance team. None of us could believe it, and I think perhaps we still cant. Although there is today a newspaper article naming her as the girl hit by an express train and killed outright on the bank holiday Monday..<br />
<br />
We had a few people in missing from the office so me and the other managers had to phone them as we were afraid they would see it on social media first and that's no way to hear about a friend. Then we realised we have someone missing and she then rings in the say husband has suffered a small stroke but is fine, having to get him comfortable and should be in later. We all spent the day at work together, no one wanted to go home and be alone and later got another call. Husband had deteriorated and life support would be switched off as soon as the transplant surgeons are ready. So by Wednesday morning at 6.30am its all over.<br />
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We are being offered grief counselling but I dont know if thats a help. At elast we all ahve each other to talk to. I think those who were away had it worst. Those poor families too. Just so awful.<br />
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I was so determined to post about good things but life is very much getting in the way.Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-50318441292389709262019-08-18T09:34:00.001+01:002019-08-18T11:26:41.998+01:00Summer RainThe middle of summer on the sunny south coast of England, and the rain is falling heavily enough to keep us indoors again. We were hoping to do some concreting in the back garden today so hopefully it does perk up.<br />
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My big black cat has just come in from the rain and looks so wet that he could be a river creature. He is purring like crazy as he washes himself dry so i guess he either loves the rain or loves no longer being out in it.<br />
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I bought Fahed a bottle of cola when i did the shopping last week. He used to have 8 bottles a week but I have been weening him off. When i went to put it in the boot of his car i found the last two weeks still in there. This is since ibought some of the 2l reusable water bottles. He fills them after use and puts them in the fridge. They are big enough to stay cold right through his swimming sessions if he wraps them in a towel. I am very pleased with him, Better for him, better for the environment and better for my shopping budget.<br />
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I made 5 jars of jam. Its not a lot but it took a bucket of plums, less the overripe and bug infested ones. I dont think I realised how little jam you can get from a bucket of fruit. So much for my idea to bottle Chinese plum sauce. The tree still has a little fruit but its really all to overripe. My jamming facebook group tells me that jam etc from them wont set. Dad cant pick the plums as his tree is on uneven ground but he got a couple of younger neighbours (i.e. one in her 80's and one in her 60's) to come in and help themselves to those which we failed to pick and use. But we ate loads. However very few were wasted so thats good. I roasted the plums for about half an hour, then made jam as usual but also inludes about 30g of fresh ginger. Its really there in the finished jam. Very lovely.<br />
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And look. I made labels! Well i used an online thing to make them and printed them at work so y'know, i sort of made them.<br />
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Talking about facebook groups. I have joined one for jams and stuff, one for fermenting and one for cheesemaking. Added to that I have unfollow nearly everyone I know plus all news sites, suddenly the world is a much happier place.<br />
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Have a lovely week everyone out there and dont get bogged down in the nasty stuff.Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-74218123652825101742019-08-10T10:01:00.000+01:002019-08-10T10:01:01.805+01:00A very windy SaturdayBBC news this morning says a million people were without power during the night. We seem to have been quite lucky here. Very wet on and off and very windy but we appear to have survived unscathed.<br />
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Today I am off out with my dad to the garden centre, and then fr lunch We don't need anything but we need something to do which isn't too taxing but he finds interesting.<br />
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If there are any plums left on his tree then i am going to collect a bucketful. I am planning plum and ginger jam and a Chinese plum sauce. I do enjoy making preserves, even if they arent good for me to eat.<br />
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The lady who made my sofa covers came to fit them mid week. Sadly they didn't fit so she took them away again and will be back in a month. I have the seat cushions and back cushions in a lovely new hard wearing blue fabric. The rest is still the cream fabric of the sofa but its a start!<br />
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Hope the weather improves tomorrow as we are mixing concrete for garden work there is a ton each of sand and gravel and 200kg of cement I guess we are doing quite a lot!<br />
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These are the recipes I have been given:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Chinese Plum Sauce Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 50 mins Chinese plum sauce is the perfect recipe to preserve summer plums into a lightly sweet, lightly tart, and lightly spiced condiment that has many uses. Yield: roughly 1 cup of sauce* Course: Condiment Cuisine: Asian, Chinese Keyword: jam, plums, preserving Servings: 8 (2 Tbsp) servings Author: Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere Ingredients 1 lb plums, pitted and chopped ¼ c apple cider vinegar ½ c brown sugar 1 Tbsp soy sauce 1 ½ Tbsp fresh ginger, minced 1 clove garlic, minced ½ star anise 1/8 tsp dried chile flakes Instructions Combine pitted and chopped plums with the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until the plum skins are very soft, 20 min. Remove the pan from the heat and remove the half star anise. Puree the mixture with a stick blender until smooth. (Or, let the mixture cool slightly and transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth). Return the mixture to the heat and bring it to a hard simmer over medium high heat, stirring often to prevent sticking. Cooking until the sauce is thick and jammy, roughly 20 minutes.* Remove from heat and let cool if refrigerating for up to 3 weeks. If canning your sauce, can while the sauce is hot using the boiling water canning method. Recipe Notes *Actual cook time and yield will vary depending on the juiciness of your plums and your desired thickness for your sauce.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Read more at Curious Cuisiniere: Chinese Plum Sauce </span><a href="https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/chinese-plum-sauce/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e73be; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/chinese-plum-sauce/</a></i></span><br />
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<br />
and this one. Which is plum chutney even thought i thought we decided on plum and ginger jam. Never mind<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Plum chutney</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This is Pam Corbin's (or "Pam the Jam" as we call her around
these parts) recipe for plum chutney, and the perfect way to preserve some of
the summer glut into the winter. It's delicious with cold meats. Makes 10-11
340g jars.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1kg plums, quartered and stoned</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1.5kg apples or pears or a mixture, peeled, cored and diced</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">500g shallots</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">250g stoned prunes, roughly chopped</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">500g soft light brown sugar</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">600ml cider vinegar or white-wine vinegar</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Salt</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For the spice bag</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">50g fresh root ginger, bruised</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 tsp mustard seeds</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 tsp black peppercorns</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Make your spice bag by tying up the spices in a 20cm square of muslin.
Put this into a preserving pan with all the other ingredients and bring slowly
to the boil, stirring occasionally. This will take a while, but don't hurry it.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Let the mixture simmer, uncovered, for 2½-3 hours. Keep an eye on it and
stir regularly to ensure it doesn't burn. It's ready when it's thick and
glossy, rich in colour and well reduced, but still with chunks of fruit
discernible. It is thick enough if, when you draw a wooden spoon through, the
chutney parts to reveal the pan's base for a few seconds.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Pot the chutney while warm in warm, sterilised jars. Pack down with the
back of a spoon to remove any air pockets. Seal with vinegar-proof lids. Store
in a cool, dark place and leave for a couple of months to mature before using.
Use within two years.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-62273115574065949652019-08-04T08:57:00.004+01:002019-08-04T10:55:23.175+01:00Whats new??I lost 4kg :) (only another cazillion to lose but lets not dwell on that)<br>
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We booked our autumn trip to the Crete house. Jamal will be here at home to take care of the house and animals except for a short break for him when my lovely next door neighbour will come in.<br>
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We had a revelation abut how Fahed's working all day Saturday and then being s tired that dinner is followed swiftly by bed time is just not fun. He loves his job though so we don't want to stop the service to the kids. So clever Lizzie realised that Tuesday night could be an option. He couldnt use the pool on Tuesday night previously but now he can so we are moving everyone over, assuming they wish to go. That means short days Monday, Friday and 1/2day Saturday. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday home about 9 or 10pm. Plenty of hours work but still some time to do other things. Lets see how that works out.<br>
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I have ordered new fence panels and concrete gravel board to be delivered next week for the fence of hours which is currently falling to pieces. I went to 4 different places to price it up (gives me and dad something to do on a Saturday) and also checked online. The ones we have gone with are not the cheapest but they are the best quality for the money. They are all pre treated (pressure treated with preservative) and have 25 year guarantee. Oh and free delivery because of the amount spent.<br>
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Next weekend is our weekend of concrete, assuming it doesnt rain. Fahed has to order the delivery of ton of sand and another of pea shingle on Monday or we wont be making concrete.<br>
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Wednesday the lady who is making my sofa cover (I tried to do it myself, i really did) is coming to fit it. Very excited.<div><br></div><div>What’s new with you?<br>
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<br></div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-59878649108234185492019-07-30T14:11:00.001+01:002019-07-30T14:11:20.717+01:00Mid week post!Go me!<br />
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I still don't know why I don't get notified of comments but I have worked out how to comment on the posts of others again. Or I haven't exactly but if I read blogs on my laptop then I can, even though the ipad and phone version still evades me. Nonetheless it progress!<br />
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This week I have to order 5 fence panels and 7 concrete gravel boards for one side of the garden. Fahed is ordering sand, cement and something else i have forgotten. A lady is coming to fit my new sofa covers. Its all go here.<br />
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The shed looks great. We were merciless in our de-cluttering. At least I was. I wouldn't be surprised to find that Fahed was sneaking things back in. He is such a squirrel. We enjoyed him being off from Saturday lunchtime during the 'toe injury period' that we are going to try to move his students from Saturday pm to Tuesday evening, Fingers crossed. If it works it will be great. I am used to spending Saturday on my own, and with my dad of course, but it feels like every week is a holiday when we are both home.<br />
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And today we went over to the allotment at about7.30am and picked loads of beans, dig potatoes, pulled our shallots and garlic (which were rubbish!) so feeling very pleased with ourselves. We have fruit to pick as well but not when its raining.<br />
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Now for some blog reading, since I have worked out how to do it properly again!<br />
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<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-12397897246843427962019-07-28T10:00:00.001+01:002019-07-28T10:00:58.413+01:00CommentsBlogger has stopped messaging me to tell m e when someone comments. Anyone know what I have done?Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-21176373180431247072019-07-28T09:59:00.000+01:002019-07-28T09:59:24.965+01:00A weekend at homeFahed cut his foot in the garden last week. Right down to the bone. Eek. He did it with a sharpened spade. So it all became infected as you would expect. Half of his work is poolside and the other is in the water. So for two weeks he could do only poolside. That's his actual job, the lessons int he pool are private so although we shan't have much money next month he doesn't get into trouble for missing work. So all this is leading to... he has been home with me a lot more in the evenings and Saturdays. So we have being doing all our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Life_(1975_TV_series)">The Good Life</a> thing plenty. With the allotment now producing and stocking up with veg at the Asian supermarket we have been preserving and fermenting like crazy. We haven't got round to using the the fathers day gift of a smoker yet though.<br />
<br />
With all this extra home work time we have all the wood ready for the next stage of the BBQ (for BBQ in this instance read;outside kitchen. It has a BBQ, sink and oven and takes up about 4 metres of my tiny garden.). So now we just need to order a ton of sand and another of gravel to get mixing for the concreting. We have the kids all here to help two weeks today, assuming that the temperature doesn't go back up.<br />
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Yesterday he did his four morning hours and was already working outside when i got back from lunch with my dad. He decided his shed/workshop is too over crowded and messy but he isnt really good at getting rid of things. Luckily I am! All the wood which was actually junk went on the bonfire with the garden waste. I have a pile of stuff to be completed. A pile for the dump and a pile for giving way on Facebook. We kept busy until time to go back to dads at around 7pm, so I feel like we already had our Sunday at home, and here I am, coffee in hand planning our Sunday of pottering about doing stuff.<br />
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So I am sorry Fahed's toe was painful and infected, sorry we missed out of two weeks of extra money from one to one lessons and all that but I had a couple of lovely busy home loving weekends, so yay!<br />
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And he is a random picture of the sausages we made (hopefully)<br />
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<br />Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-87788191835263854902019-07-27T08:04:00.001+01:002019-07-27T08:04:32.229+01:00And now July and not long until AugustI have been getting back into my routines but apparently not my blogging routine. Oops.<div><br></div><div>Last time I think I mentioned my blood sugar had gone bonkers lately. The doctor said it was stress, sent me for grief counselling (I didn’t go, don’t tell him) and quadrupled my medication. There is a slight improvement when they check it this month. However in my diabetic review my blood pressure was waaaay up. Enough for the nurse to run for the doctor and I left with new medication and an appointment for four days later. All this tells me it’s time to lose weight and exercise more. Monday I’m back on the ultra low calorie diet which works so well with type 2 diabetes. Also walking to work and generally fitting exercise into my routine again. All I do atthe moment is work and go to dads. I need to balance taking care of dad with taking care of me.</div><div>One lot</div><div>Of</div><div>Exercise I am</div><div>Getting is working on the allotment ( rented vegetable patch if not familiar). Jamal and I work there for a few hours each week</div><div>And always my legs ache and my</div><div>Tummy feels like I have been doing sit up. So that’s a good thing, right? Also means I have got to that age where any sign of rain has me saying ‘oh lovely, just right for the garden’. This week we had three days of 33 degrees so some rain would definitely be welcome, although temperature has broken today and should be mid 20s.</div><div>We have been doing all sorts of fun things lately, making sausages, making kimchi and pickles. I made jam with dad’s loganberries. It’s all very ‘The Good Life’ and I am Barbara!</div><div>I guess it’s time to move. I can’t sit in bed reading, writing, surrounded by kitty cats and drinking coffee all day. Can I?</div>Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300931931586155886.post-74145366009199175262019-06-22T10:56:00.002+01:002019-06-22T10:56:17.426+01:00June already - how did that happen!Gosh but my posts are so intermittent. The thing is i really love writing and I always feel because the blog can be read by others it makes me slightly more accountable, anybody out there reading this, you are my accountability person! Thank you :). So that what stops me from stopping.<br />
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I need a new routine.<br />
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However I am slowly getting my act together. I feel it might be time for a 'line in the sand' update on stuff. It makes me feel like I have achieved some things, which i can miss in the every day course of events.<br />
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<b>Greek House</b><br />
All legal now! All taxes paid for this year and the deficit from when the German guy who used to be my agent sorted out my admin. I have a Greek accountant now, which you have to have anyway to complete tax forms, but also i think the problem with the other guy must have been a language issue. We had cameras and alarms fitted, which i will finish paying for by next month, after the second burglary. Mind you when i scan the pictures every day i get really homesick for my little house in the sun.<br />
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<b>Allbrook House</b><br />
New carpets and mattress all sorted. I also had a large rug for the sitting room made from the leftovers. Had another massive clear out and actually really like the house now. I have a cleaner (get me!) for 2 hours each week. I still go to dads every evening and at the weekend so house was starting to look pretty bad, but Wendy is making a huge difference. And what she can do in 2 hours would take me five, shes a machine. In a good way. A few things still need to be done here but we are on schedule to do everything this year.<br />
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<b>Old Greek House</b><br />
When we finish outstanding here then i plan to save £20k a year for two years to renovate the old house. We could do with some extra income when we retire and hopefully this is our safety blanket.<br />
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<b>Travel</b><br />
We have been to our Greek house once so far this year and hope to go out with the whole family in autumn. I have a week in Mallorca with by bestie. We have had a weekend in France with Dad, Sis etc and are having another one next weekend. dad loves it. i also have a week in Madeira booked for February. All done on a shoestring. I have been doing some serious bargain hunting! I love travel but luckily so do the whole family so gives us plenty to talk about too. Which is lucky since we spend sooo much time together since losing mum.<br />
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<b>Lifestyle</b><br />
Eating quite well but my blood sugars are still high i think. I have stopped testing them as doc said it was probably adding to my stress but i have a raft of tests at tend of the month apparently, so we shall know how i am overall. I am trying to be active and definitely move about much more but i haven't attended classes in ages. I need to get back to that and i do have a plan in place (honest!)<br />
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There are more categories for certain but i have maybe soul searched enough for one dayLizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.com0