Another needless death of a child has occurred, after being mauled by a rottweiler, all due to the stupidity of the owner. These cases really annoy me as they damage the reputation of all rotties and their owners irrespective of whether they are responsible or irresponsible owners.
As the reader may be aware I have two rotties myself, one is as soft as anything and although capable of making some fearsome noises he would certainly lick someone to death as opposed to biting them, the other is more serious, she's a real princess, loving and obedient but can be very protective when needed. Having said all of this I am pretty sure neither would attack anyone BUT I am a responsible dog owner. Being a responsible dog owner means that I would not risk a chance of anything happening and so we shut them away when our grandchildren are visiting or indeed any other children. I also muzzle them whenever we go out to places with crowds (just in case). They have NEVER attacked or tried to attack anyone but I love my dogs like my children and I would not want anything to happen to them just because someone was perhaps being an idiot around them.
So, sorry as I am to hear of the attacks I think the blame has to be put firmly at the owners' feet. As an owner you know your dogs inside out and if one is not quite 'right' you are aware, these dogs have to be kept under careful watch and if you find that a dog is showing aggressive tendancies you MUST seek professional help and advice. If you lose control of a dog this size the consequences are always tragic, but it rarely 'just happens'. Looking back there will be telltale signs that have be noticed and ignored on the way.
I had a young rottie some years ago who was a loving and adorable small pup, but even at 5 months of age he was already showing signs of being protective towards me, he would not allow anyone to approach the car when we were in it, he was challenging our older dogs at 7 months and was being kept in line by our rottie bitch. Every now and then he would get a sort of vacant look in his eyes which I hadn't seen before, I took him for a check-up and the vet said there was nothing wrong, he allowed the vet to examine him without probs. We had him castrated and it seemed to calm him a bit but I knew something was not qute right and muzzled him when out etc then one day when he was 13months old he was growling under the table that we were all sitting round, I went to stroke him and he bit my hand! To say this was a shock is an understatement, I was devastated, he seemed ok and contrite when he was told off but I was uneasy, later that evening he began 'controlling traffic' through doorways and then started growling every time I tried to move off the settee. I thought he had a brain tumour or something and took him to the vet the next morning but as soon as we got in there he went mad trying to bite the vets and so I was persuaded to have him humanely euthanised.
The vet explained to me that he had something called 'rage syndrome' and there was nothing that could be done it was a definite temperament disorder due to some sort of brain damage probably during birth and you could never be sure when it would manifest but between 11 and 15 months it was most commonly seen. Tragic as that was I could not have a dog I could not trust, bless him, he was a disaster waiting to happen.
So again, dog owners out there take responsibility for your dogs and stop giving other decent rottie owners a bad name!
Monday, 31 December 2007
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
All over again for another year............
I shopped for, catered for and fed the 5,000 yesterday! or at least that 's what it feels like! Thankfully, I didn't have to do the washing up afterwards, courtesy of combined effort from MY mum and hubby. Each year for the last few years I've hinted at how welcome I would receive an invitation to one of my offsprings homes for a family Xmas dinner, but it has never really hit home - this year I did something different - I announced that next year we would be spending the festive season in a Hotel in North Cyprus. Then our eldest son issued the invitation I have so longed for, he and the wife had already discussed it and wanted to have everyone to their's next year. I quickly accepted the invitation, and have told hubby to book for the New Year in Cyprus instead of Xmas.
So, already now I'm beginning to look forward to next Xmas - so much for living in the present eh?
Today, the daughter and her boyfriend have hit the sales, they've gone to MK's Ikea! They are moving into a new apartment early in the new year so they are busy trying to organise furniture. I'm really happy for her, it is such an exciting time when you're just starting out in life. Truth be known though, I'm also very happy for me/us too because it means we get our home back, I never realised how important this was before she left home originally (last year). But since she returned home a few months ago I began to realise how precious the 14 months had been when I only had to clear up after myself and hubby. Things stayed where they were put, we could find all of the remote controls and they all had batteries in, my deoderant, perfume and make up were found where I'd left them, there were no clothes on the floor, no hair tongs and stillettos left to fall over, my laptop, the washing machine and dryer were not in constant use and my utility bills were so reasonable our direct debits were being reduced!!! It's very true to say that you don't miss a thing until it's gone and I don't think I ever really appreciated my freedom, but everything happens for a reason and once the daughter moves into her new place I'm going to make sure I appreciate my freedom - empty nest syndrome? - gimme, gimme, gimme....................
So, already now I'm beginning to look forward to next Xmas - so much for living in the present eh?
Today, the daughter and her boyfriend have hit the sales, they've gone to MK's Ikea! They are moving into a new apartment early in the new year so they are busy trying to organise furniture. I'm really happy for her, it is such an exciting time when you're just starting out in life. Truth be known though, I'm also very happy for me/us too because it means we get our home back, I never realised how important this was before she left home originally (last year). But since she returned home a few months ago I began to realise how precious the 14 months had been when I only had to clear up after myself and hubby. Things stayed where they were put, we could find all of the remote controls and they all had batteries in, my deoderant, perfume and make up were found where I'd left them, there were no clothes on the floor, no hair tongs and stillettos left to fall over, my laptop, the washing machine and dryer were not in constant use and my utility bills were so reasonable our direct debits were being reduced!!! It's very true to say that you don't miss a thing until it's gone and I don't think I ever really appreciated my freedom, but everything happens for a reason and once the daughter moves into her new place I'm going to make sure I appreciate my freedom - empty nest syndrome? - gimme, gimme, gimme....................
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Pet hates............................
Before I begin, I want to say, No, I'm not a Victoria Meldrew!!! Certainly not, I am far more likely to see the good in things than the bad and I see my cup as always half full as opposed to half empty. But there are some things that rile me and I shall share these with you, dear reader and wonder what your own views are? Do let me know..............
Zebra Crossings - a Godsend on a busy road, but why don't people teach their children how to use them correctly? When I was a small child I would go out with my mother and I remember having to hold her hand walking along the pavements up to the shops and home again and there was a zebra crossing on the main road. We would walk to the crossing and wait on the kerb and look Right, Left and Right again and then only IF clear OR IF the cars had stopped would we venture out onto the crossing, thanking the drivers on both sides of the road with a wave as we walked directly to the other side of the road.
I was always told that it was a courtesy for cars to stop for me as they had rights on roads and pedestrians had rights on pavements. I was also told that if drivers did the courtesy of allowing me to cross then I had to show my appreciation by being courteous and saying thank you to them.
How difficult is that? How many have you noticed that consider it normal to walk straight out on a crossing, and even when you have waved them over they don't even give you the courtesy of a nod let alone a thanks! They are sometimes also so busy meandering all over the road in their groups especially just coming out of school that I'm sure I've seen more appreciation in the eyes of sheep and goats that I have stopped the car for in Cyprus than the beings that flood the road in front of me on some of our crossings.
Another pet hate of mine is the pronounciation of the letter 'H' - so many say it wrongly and seem to delight in doing so. I suppose I can't blame them as young people as a lot of their teachers have taught them wrongly. But I have to say this is AT HOME - the letter 'H' is actually spelt 'AITCH' and not as some erroneously think spelt 'haitch' - I encourage the looking up of the spelling in the dictionary in case they think it's just down to an eccentricity of mine, but there again maybe my insistance is.....
Why do so many english speaking Brits get mixed up with the words 'bought' and 'brought'? and the verbs to Lend and to Borrow and - I hear young people saying "I've bought it with me" or "can I lend a tenner off you". I'd best not get started on the difference between your and you're...............
Zebra Crossings - a Godsend on a busy road, but why don't people teach their children how to use them correctly? When I was a small child I would go out with my mother and I remember having to hold her hand walking along the pavements up to the shops and home again and there was a zebra crossing on the main road. We would walk to the crossing and wait on the kerb and look Right, Left and Right again and then only IF clear OR IF the cars had stopped would we venture out onto the crossing, thanking the drivers on both sides of the road with a wave as we walked directly to the other side of the road.
I was always told that it was a courtesy for cars to stop for me as they had rights on roads and pedestrians had rights on pavements. I was also told that if drivers did the courtesy of allowing me to cross then I had to show my appreciation by being courteous and saying thank you to them.
How difficult is that? How many have you noticed that consider it normal to walk straight out on a crossing, and even when you have waved them over they don't even give you the courtesy of a nod let alone a thanks! They are sometimes also so busy meandering all over the road in their groups especially just coming out of school that I'm sure I've seen more appreciation in the eyes of sheep and goats that I have stopped the car for in Cyprus than the beings that flood the road in front of me on some of our crossings.
Another pet hate of mine is the pronounciation of the letter 'H' - so many say it wrongly and seem to delight in doing so. I suppose I can't blame them as young people as a lot of their teachers have taught them wrongly. But I have to say this is AT HOME - the letter 'H' is actually spelt 'AITCH' and not as some erroneously think spelt 'haitch' - I encourage the looking up of the spelling in the dictionary in case they think it's just down to an eccentricity of mine, but there again maybe my insistance is.....
Why do so many english speaking Brits get mixed up with the words 'bought' and 'brought'? and the verbs to Lend and to Borrow and - I hear young people saying "I've bought it with me" or "can I lend a tenner off you". I'd best not get started on the difference between your and you're...............
Friday, 21 December 2007
And so back to UK again.....
We decided to get our shopping done BEFORE partaking of a little 'light' refreshment (Gluhwein)! So on the Sunday (last day in Cologne) we trekked to the Christmas market, having enjoyed a large breakfast of mixed fresh fruit to begin, followed by a choice of cooked food, followed by cakes, and really anything else you wanted to help yourself to there and of course washed down with 'lashings' of fruit juice/teas/coffee.
Unsurprisingly, we got the shopping done in quite a short time and I'm sure it was not because we were anxious to sample a little mulled wine. Still, with that out of the way we felt we could relax and join our fellow shoppers in enjoying the traditional food and drink. The remainder of the day seemed to go by so quickly and before we knew it we were makeing our way back to the Hotel as it was beginning to get dark and it was bitterly cold.
The next morning we were down for brekky at 06.30 and once again on the coach at 07.00 for the home journey. As we were leaving Cologne the daughter remarked on how busy the roads were, there were so many cars, but the odd thing that we both noticed is that it was all moving quite freely, and so we made our journey back to Calais without disruption. The daughter wondered why so many people were up so very early in the morning which gave me the chance of explaining how we used to work 'flexi- hours' in Germany. This entailed being able to begin our work anytime from 06.30 am and finish by 20.30 an as long as we worked the set hours we were paid for during the month we had the freedom of choice of what would suit us best. I don't need to say that this was so much better for everything, appointments, shopping, hangovers! etc. A far better way to go on altogether.
We boarded the ferry and arrived in Dover at 16.30. By the time our cases had been transferred and we found the feeder coach that would take us up to Northampton it was 17.30 and we began the last leg of the journey. Of course in England when there is a lot of traffic it is NOT free moving, no, we Brits who like queuing so much also seem to favour being gridlocked on our roads for hours on end and so the journey just to Northampton took us almost double the time it took on the way down!! Glad to be back? Erm, why yes of course..............
Unsurprisingly, we got the shopping done in quite a short time and I'm sure it was not because we were anxious to sample a little mulled wine. Still, with that out of the way we felt we could relax and join our fellow shoppers in enjoying the traditional food and drink. The remainder of the day seemed to go by so quickly and before we knew it we were makeing our way back to the Hotel as it was beginning to get dark and it was bitterly cold.
The next morning we were down for brekky at 06.30 and once again on the coach at 07.00 for the home journey. As we were leaving Cologne the daughter remarked on how busy the roads were, there were so many cars, but the odd thing that we both noticed is that it was all moving quite freely, and so we made our journey back to Calais without disruption. The daughter wondered why so many people were up so very early in the morning which gave me the chance of explaining how we used to work 'flexi- hours' in Germany. This entailed being able to begin our work anytime from 06.30 am and finish by 20.30 an as long as we worked the set hours we were paid for during the month we had the freedom of choice of what would suit us best. I don't need to say that this was so much better for everything, appointments, shopping, hangovers! etc. A far better way to go on altogether.
We boarded the ferry and arrived in Dover at 16.30. By the time our cases had been transferred and we found the feeder coach that would take us up to Northampton it was 17.30 and we began the last leg of the journey. Of course in England when there is a lot of traffic it is NOT free moving, no, we Brits who like queuing so much also seem to favour being gridlocked on our roads for hours on end and so the journey just to Northampton took us almost double the time it took on the way down!! Glad to be back? Erm, why yes of course..............
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Deutschland, Deutschland uber alless.......
So goes the beginning of the banned song from the days of the Third Reich. But such was the happy mood of the people and the orderly way of life of course served up 'with lashings of ' Gluhwein. The daughter and I found it very cold and so almost as soon as we arrived at the market (about a 15 minute walk from our Hotel) we decided to 'warm ourselves up' with a mug of the traditional mulled wine. It really did help to warm us up and we noticed that most people were drinking theirs as they browsed around the hundreds of stalls. Another thing we quckly noticed is that about every 10th stall (or so) was another Gluhwein stall and so we were never without a cup of the delicious hot spiced wein that slid so easily over the tongue and down the back of the throat! I was telling the daughter about the years we spent living and working in Germany and the fun we had there and she understood more how we could have settled so well into the German lifestyle. After chatting and eating and drinking our fill we felt it would be better to wait until the next day to do our shopping and so made our way back to our Hotel, arm in arm.
Something else we noticed was how many of the young adults were enjoying themselves but there was so nastiness, no swearing, no fighting, no threatening behaviour that we all know so well from our own groups of youths. Of course not all our youths are to be tarred with the same brush but I know I would not have felt as comfortable in UK walking around with my daughter in amongst crowds of people like that.
A word here should be said about the state of the public toilets - have you ever been to mobile loo's at a funfair, festival etc? I don't if ever I can help it but the daughter has described the dreadful state of them to me, enough to make me heave at the very thought....but I have to say, the mobile loo's were so clean, an attendant collected 30 cents and went in to wipe the seat, floor and make sure everything was kept spotless after EVERY person. Altogether an enjoyable experience.....they certainly know how to live.
Something else we noticed was how many of the young adults were enjoying themselves but there was so nastiness, no swearing, no fighting, no threatening behaviour that we all know so well from our own groups of youths. Of course not all our youths are to be tarred with the same brush but I know I would not have felt as comfortable in UK walking around with my daughter in amongst crowds of people like that.
A word here should be said about the state of the public toilets - have you ever been to mobile loo's at a funfair, festival etc? I don't if ever I can help it but the daughter has described the dreadful state of them to me, enough to make me heave at the very thought....but I have to say, the mobile loo's were so clean, an attendant collected 30 cents and went in to wipe the seat, floor and make sure everything was kept spotless after EVERY person. Altogether an enjoyable experience.....they certainly know how to live.
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
On the outward journey of our 4 day trip to Germany..........
Last Friday (14th) the daughter and I travelled by coach to Cologne in Germany to visit the delightful Christmas Market there. This was not our first trip there, in fact it was our third, but I am determined never to go again by coach again. Time is a great healer and my memory must have dimmed about the last two trips. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about Germany or Cologne or the Hotel or indeed the markets, in fact as you will see by the next few posts I can't speak highly enough of Germany, the people, Hotel, food and not least the Gluhwein!!! No, it's the coach trip experience that I have 'beef' with.
We boarded our coach at 09.40 on 14th at a pick up bus stop near home, no probs. The crew were not very friendly (Scottish - that's certainly not why) but of course it was a 'feeder' coach so the crew didn't HAVE to be nice to us as we were not the ones who would be giving any tips to them. It was cramped and we were only offered one drink in the 3 hour journey down to Dover. The lack of leg room was really annoying but I'd upgraded us for the main journey so I wasn't too worried.
The reason we had travelled by coach was because I thought it would be good for the daughter and me to have some good bonding time together as what with work and life in general we rarely spend much time with each other without anyone else around. Anyway we were both really enthusiastic about the trip. We arrived in Dover at the designated time and without probs. We then transferred to our main trip coach and boarded the ferry on that with our new crew who were far friendlier (Scottish - I told you so!!!) and had an uneventful ferry ride to Calais, where we disembarked on the main body of the journey to our Hotel in Cologne (Germany).
About 10 minutes into the drive on the other side one of the crew decided to go through some 'rules' whilst on the coach, the main of which were sensible health and safety matters and perfectly understood. However, (you knew this was coming didn't you?) it seems our crew were not happy if anyone wanted wanted to make use of the onboard WC...... he explained that we would be given the chance to visit the loo's on various scheduled stops and we were told in no uncertain terms that we were to make use of the toilets there so that we didn't need to 'go' on the coach. He saw people look around at each other and then said it would be ok IF it was a DIRE emergency and someone COULDN'T wait any longer BUT whilst depositing 'coffee' was frowned upon, 'Do'nuts' would HAVE to be saved for the next scheduled stop.
By this time I was wondering whether I or my fellow passengers would have to stick their hands up IF they wanted to 'go', or if we would have to resort to a 'special forces' type operation.
We were offered a drink and of course I don't think I was the only one wondering if I should forego my hot chocolate this time round in case I'd need to 'GO'! I felt myself and the other passengers were experiencing obsessive thoughts about our basic bodily waste management. Suddenly a passenger stood up, two seats in front, there was an almost audible s.i.o.b. (sharp intake of breath) by an elderly lady opposite which she deftly turned into a coughing fit, but it was a false alarm because the chap reached up into the overhead area and got a book from his bag. Then a couple got out of their seats and headed towards the rear of the vehicle and sat in the lounge area there (I suspect only so they got a better view of who would be using the loo!).
A northern bloke a few seats behind belched every now and then, it wasn't very nice and I wondered how his wife stood for his rude and embarassing behaviour. I could only be glad that it wasn't issuing out from the other end - but then I guess I couldn't really know if it was!
A couple of rows behind them was a rather 'posh' couple and their daughter. The woman had such a loud voice and we were privvy to most of her conversation, about how fortunate they were that their daughter had broken up from her 'private' school and so was able to partake of the trip whilst mo0st other children were still at school, and how she was going to have to look out her breadmaker again as she didn't think she could survive Christmas without 'proper' bread (?)
An elderly lady in front got up, she manouvered into the aisle and headed toward the rear, then I noticed the red 'engaged' light at the front of the bus above the driver, I wondered whether she hadn't heard and also if the crew had noticed...... after she returned to her seat two more got up and followed suit. The passengers seemed to take on an air of relief, people chatted, sounding relaxed, I forgot I was wondering IF I wanted to 'go' and knew that I didn't really it had just been a bit of mass hysteria setting in.
A services break was announced, for which I was quite pleased, when as we were driving in 'burping Billy' got up and went into the onboard loo! Surely he could have waited two more minutes? but I rather think it was by design because after our 30 mins there we'd only just started off again when he 'went' again. I had an uncomfortable thought about 'what if...' the crew challenged him over his behaviour? But then of course they surely wouldn't do that and risk a 'do nut' deposit, or?......
We boarded our coach at 09.40 on 14th at a pick up bus stop near home, no probs. The crew were not very friendly (Scottish - that's certainly not why) but of course it was a 'feeder' coach so the crew didn't HAVE to be nice to us as we were not the ones who would be giving any tips to them. It was cramped and we were only offered one drink in the 3 hour journey down to Dover. The lack of leg room was really annoying but I'd upgraded us for the main journey so I wasn't too worried.
The reason we had travelled by coach was because I thought it would be good for the daughter and me to have some good bonding time together as what with work and life in general we rarely spend much time with each other without anyone else around. Anyway we were both really enthusiastic about the trip. We arrived in Dover at the designated time and without probs. We then transferred to our main trip coach and boarded the ferry on that with our new crew who were far friendlier (Scottish - I told you so!!!) and had an uneventful ferry ride to Calais, where we disembarked on the main body of the journey to our Hotel in Cologne (Germany).
About 10 minutes into the drive on the other side one of the crew decided to go through some 'rules' whilst on the coach, the main of which were sensible health and safety matters and perfectly understood. However, (you knew this was coming didn't you?) it seems our crew were not happy if anyone wanted wanted to make use of the onboard WC...... he explained that we would be given the chance to visit the loo's on various scheduled stops and we were told in no uncertain terms that we were to make use of the toilets there so that we didn't need to 'go' on the coach. He saw people look around at each other and then said it would be ok IF it was a DIRE emergency and someone COULDN'T wait any longer BUT whilst depositing 'coffee' was frowned upon, 'Do'nuts' would HAVE to be saved for the next scheduled stop.
By this time I was wondering whether I or my fellow passengers would have to stick their hands up IF they wanted to 'go', or if we would have to resort to a 'special forces' type operation.
We were offered a drink and of course I don't think I was the only one wondering if I should forego my hot chocolate this time round in case I'd need to 'GO'! I felt myself and the other passengers were experiencing obsessive thoughts about our basic bodily waste management. Suddenly a passenger stood up, two seats in front, there was an almost audible s.i.o.b. (sharp intake of breath) by an elderly lady opposite which she deftly turned into a coughing fit, but it was a false alarm because the chap reached up into the overhead area and got a book from his bag. Then a couple got out of their seats and headed towards the rear of the vehicle and sat in the lounge area there (I suspect only so they got a better view of who would be using the loo!).
A northern bloke a few seats behind belched every now and then, it wasn't very nice and I wondered how his wife stood for his rude and embarassing behaviour. I could only be glad that it wasn't issuing out from the other end - but then I guess I couldn't really know if it was!
A couple of rows behind them was a rather 'posh' couple and their daughter. The woman had such a loud voice and we were privvy to most of her conversation, about how fortunate they were that their daughter had broken up from her 'private' school and so was able to partake of the trip whilst mo0st other children were still at school, and how she was going to have to look out her breadmaker again as she didn't think she could survive Christmas without 'proper' bread (?)
An elderly lady in front got up, she manouvered into the aisle and headed toward the rear, then I noticed the red 'engaged' light at the front of the bus above the driver, I wondered whether she hadn't heard and also if the crew had noticed...... after she returned to her seat two more got up and followed suit. The passengers seemed to take on an air of relief, people chatted, sounding relaxed, I forgot I was wondering IF I wanted to 'go' and knew that I didn't really it had just been a bit of mass hysteria setting in.
A services break was announced, for which I was quite pleased, when as we were driving in 'burping Billy' got up and went into the onboard loo! Surely he could have waited two more minutes? but I rather think it was by design because after our 30 mins there we'd only just started off again when he 'went' again. I had an uncomfortable thought about 'what if...' the crew challenged him over his behaviour? But then of course they surely wouldn't do that and risk a 'do nut' deposit, or?......
Sunday, 9 December 2007
My little piece of heaven...........
I just uploaded my photos to my PC and I thought I'd add this one to my Blog as it will be the view that will greet me each morning when I retire. I need to remind myself that we really do have a place that is serene and relaxing to be in. These views are what I am yearning for and the tranquility and peace that comes with them. I look forward to growing our own fruit and vegetables and to keeping a few animals there. I haven't as yet decided what to call the place so any suggestions will be considered.
I am so pleased that the builders respected my wishes about not removing any of the lovely olive trees we have. I understand we shall have olives and olive oil that will last us the whole year - brilliant! Can't wait to plant an orchard on the other side of the house (mountain side) and hope we shall spend many evenings sitting on the patio watching the sun slide lower and lower until it's out of sight - pure magic! Yes, I thought of this as I inched my way into the carpark at Tesco today. It took me over half an hour to get parked then after battling my way through the hoards of people I queued for ages at the checkouts only to be behind a person who forgot THREE items! - I've forgotten things before, did I hold everyone else up? No, I waited til I went shopping next time to get whatever it was. Give me Lemar or Astro any day!
I really don't like the idea that the way of life in UK now is almost forcing me to live in the future instead of in the present, but honestly speaking there is not much that I truly enjoy in UK anymore.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Bin Collections.......
Hooray, Yippee.................! As from Tuesday (our bin day) we shall have weekly household waste collections EVERY week, Yes, that's EACH and EVERY week until the end of January 2008. How marvellous to experience normality again even just for 6/7 weeks.
I fail to understand which 'bright spark' in the Council came up with fortnightly collections, I mean we are supposed to be a civilised country (I suppose it's a matter of opinion) and let's face it even in Northern Cyprus our rubbish is collected at least twice a week! Now please don't anyone make the mistake of thinking it's much hotter out there than it is here because there is not all that difference in the temperatures for much of the time nowadays.
It's so good to think that I won't have my freezer space taken up with leftovers of fish meals, shellfish, chicken carcasses etc for a while at least. I freeze these things so that my bin doesn't stink my patio or garden out but OMG the times when I have forgotten to get the stuff out of the freezer in time for the bin collection! I used to use my freezer to stock up with food for different meals over the weeks, month but in the last couple of years the buying of fresh meats/chicken/fish has to be weighed up against what room I need to house the waste.
I also understand that there are 'bin police' who will slap a fine on you if the wrong waste is put into the wrong bin, now the daughter can be a bit scatterbrained at times and I live in fear in case she drops paper in the household waste, or in the plastics/tins box, or heaven forbid glass! Of course it isn't too difficult in the main, you just have to be totally aware when chucking anything out, but the daughter has raised a few questions - What if the paper is greasy/wet/dirty/got snot on etc? What if the cans have labels on (most do), are we to take them off? What if the plastic bottles have labels on that are paper? Why are plastic milk bottles allowed but not the plastic tops? What's wrong with plastic Yoghurt pots? - I can see her point, I have questions of my own; Cold ash is allowed in my brown bin along with garden waste but I put my cold ash in a plastic bag to stop it flying in the eyes of the bin men will I get fined for that or sued for someone going blind?! If I can put all garden waste in the brown bin why can't I put vegetable/fruit peelings in there too? this list could go on and on, so I no longer complain at the daughter I just keep checking (quietly) and hoping the choices I make will be the right ones!!!
And I live in hopes that common sense will prevail and weekly collections will be reinstated to lessen the stench of the bins that are often heaving with maggots. What's happening to a once proud nation and is it any wonder how young people will turn out when forced to live in 3rd world conditions, what pride can they ever have when walking down a tree lined avenue that stinks to high heaven!
I fail to understand which 'bright spark' in the Council came up with fortnightly collections, I mean we are supposed to be a civilised country (I suppose it's a matter of opinion) and let's face it even in Northern Cyprus our rubbish is collected at least twice a week! Now please don't anyone make the mistake of thinking it's much hotter out there than it is here because there is not all that difference in the temperatures for much of the time nowadays.
It's so good to think that I won't have my freezer space taken up with leftovers of fish meals, shellfish, chicken carcasses etc for a while at least. I freeze these things so that my bin doesn't stink my patio or garden out but OMG the times when I have forgotten to get the stuff out of the freezer in time for the bin collection! I used to use my freezer to stock up with food for different meals over the weeks, month but in the last couple of years the buying of fresh meats/chicken/fish has to be weighed up against what room I need to house the waste.
I also understand that there are 'bin police' who will slap a fine on you if the wrong waste is put into the wrong bin, now the daughter can be a bit scatterbrained at times and I live in fear in case she drops paper in the household waste, or in the plastics/tins box, or heaven forbid glass! Of course it isn't too difficult in the main, you just have to be totally aware when chucking anything out, but the daughter has raised a few questions - What if the paper is greasy/wet/dirty/got snot on etc? What if the cans have labels on (most do), are we to take them off? What if the plastic bottles have labels on that are paper? Why are plastic milk bottles allowed but not the plastic tops? What's wrong with plastic Yoghurt pots? - I can see her point, I have questions of my own; Cold ash is allowed in my brown bin along with garden waste but I put my cold ash in a plastic bag to stop it flying in the eyes of the bin men will I get fined for that or sued for someone going blind?! If I can put all garden waste in the brown bin why can't I put vegetable/fruit peelings in there too? this list could go on and on, so I no longer complain at the daughter I just keep checking (quietly) and hoping the choices I make will be the right ones!!!
And I live in hopes that common sense will prevail and weekly collections will be reinstated to lessen the stench of the bins that are often heaving with maggots. What's happening to a once proud nation and is it any wonder how young people will turn out when forced to live in 3rd world conditions, what pride can they ever have when walking down a tree lined avenue that stinks to high heaven!
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
How many doors does a small car have?...............
The bungalow opposite mine is being rented out. The tennants are a pleasant young couple, when I say young I mean mid twenties or thereabouts. The majority of the neighbours are elderly and it's lights out at about 21.00 in most of the surrounding properties, generally a very quiet neighbourhood.
I look at the clock, it's 02.23 a car has stopped opposite, the engine dies along with the strains of 'um-ber-rella, ella, ella, eh, eh eh'. Here we go,... a car door opens and is banged shut, then another, but hang on the bang wasn't very loud, I hear it open again and yes, this time there's a definite bang! There's a pause of about 5 seconds and I hear a car door opening (again) and it is banged shut almost at once, then amazingly another door sounds like it's being opened and I'm trying desperately to determine how I can have failed to spot this limo of my neighbour's when a loud bang confirms that it too has been shut. I'm wondering if they have guests staying, but would they be shutting the door in their faces? I'm tempted to get up and look out but its all been done before and it is only ever the two of them, anyway I don't want to be known for 'twitching curtains', there are enough of those round here without me joining them.
OMG, I can hear the door being opened again, or no, sounds more like the boot; I find myself counting "0ne thousand, two thousand, three thousand...." BANG! I'm holding my breath now because I'm longing to hear the beep of the central locking and that will mean peace for the rest of the night, if I miss this crucial sound I know I shan't rest properly......just in case..
I look at the clock, it's 02.23 a car has stopped opposite, the engine dies along with the strains of 'um-ber-rella, ella, ella, eh, eh eh'. Here we go,... a car door opens and is banged shut, then another, but hang on the bang wasn't very loud, I hear it open again and yes, this time there's a definite bang! There's a pause of about 5 seconds and I hear a car door opening (again) and it is banged shut almost at once, then amazingly another door sounds like it's being opened and I'm trying desperately to determine how I can have failed to spot this limo of my neighbour's when a loud bang confirms that it too has been shut. I'm wondering if they have guests staying, but would they be shutting the door in their faces? I'm tempted to get up and look out but its all been done before and it is only ever the two of them, anyway I don't want to be known for 'twitching curtains', there are enough of those round here without me joining them.
OMG, I can hear the door being opened again, or no, sounds more like the boot; I find myself counting "0ne thousand, two thousand, three thousand...." BANG! I'm holding my breath now because I'm longing to hear the beep of the central locking and that will mean peace for the rest of the night, if I miss this crucial sound I know I shan't rest properly......just in case..
Monday, 3 December 2007
Employers or budding tyrants?
What is it about certain people? Give them a bit of power and they become absolute tyrants. When the daughter was at college doing her A levels she had a little evening and weekend job doing telephone sales for a kitchen firm (no names). She had worked there for a few weeks when she rang me soon after I had dropped her off to collect her again as there were no seats available for the shift she was given. This happened a few times and necessitated either me having to turn around, go back into town and collect her again or if I was at work she would have to go and wait for a bus back home and be out of pocket not just for the fare to the place but also then back home again.
I knew this state of affairs was not right but she would not allow me to speak to the manager (extremely uncool thing to do!) The reason for what was happening was that a couple of them did not find a seat for their shift so they returned really early for the next shift and so this had a knock on effect for the following shifts.
The daughter worked there for a while but after she left she then told me other unacceptable practices that went on there but that no one dared to complain about or they would get 'fined' - these fines were implemented for a variety of things such as £10 fine for not enough 'hits' (a 'hit' was a person who agreed to receive further information about the product) during a shift which forced some of the young people to beg the person on the other end of the phone just to say they were interested so that they didn't get fined!
If anyone outside asked any questions about what was going on there then they were in danger of the whole of their wages being forfeited. Also when she applied for a P45 after finishing she was told she was 'self-emplolyed' and so didn't need one. The most annoying thing she found was that one particular track would be played over and over until every one of them got a hit - I think this could actually become a form of torture (depending on the artist I suppose).
The daughter has also been told that if she wants to take holiday she is owed then she must resign!!! (which she has done not because of the holiday but because she has got herself a better job). It amazes me how these employers feel they can get away with this sort of behaviour - I suppose because they can. It's not only employers of young people but also the attitude of bank tellers, people at the council, Doctors receptionists (I'll write a whole new blog on them one day!), they all think that just because a person is under 21 they can treat them like as though they are somehow inferior.
The daughter may be young but she's a chip off the old block and she is learning how to assert heself and insist on her rights, slowly but surely, thankfully........
I knew this state of affairs was not right but she would not allow me to speak to the manager (extremely uncool thing to do!) The reason for what was happening was that a couple of them did not find a seat for their shift so they returned really early for the next shift and so this had a knock on effect for the following shifts.
The daughter worked there for a while but after she left she then told me other unacceptable practices that went on there but that no one dared to complain about or they would get 'fined' - these fines were implemented for a variety of things such as £10 fine for not enough 'hits' (a 'hit' was a person who agreed to receive further information about the product) during a shift which forced some of the young people to beg the person on the other end of the phone just to say they were interested so that they didn't get fined!
If anyone outside asked any questions about what was going on there then they were in danger of the whole of their wages being forfeited. Also when she applied for a P45 after finishing she was told she was 'self-emplolyed' and so didn't need one. The most annoying thing she found was that one particular track would be played over and over until every one of them got a hit - I think this could actually become a form of torture (depending on the artist I suppose).
The daughter has also been told that if she wants to take holiday she is owed then she must resign!!! (which she has done not because of the holiday but because she has got herself a better job). It amazes me how these employers feel they can get away with this sort of behaviour - I suppose because they can. It's not only employers of young people but also the attitude of bank tellers, people at the council, Doctors receptionists (I'll write a whole new blog on them one day!), they all think that just because a person is under 21 they can treat them like as though they are somehow inferior.
The daughter may be young but she's a chip off the old block and she is learning how to assert heself and insist on her rights, slowly but surely, thankfully........
Sunday, 2 December 2007
More on the 'little corner of heaven'................
We have just returned from the TRNC (again) and it is definitely Winter'ish. I say this because though we had a couple of days of rain, the rest were gorgeous, sunbathing weather, although not really swimming weather due to a certain nip in the air if/when the sun went behind a cloud. The nights were most definitely cold and we were thankful for the goosedown duvet we took out in anticipation of the temperature drop.
Within a couple of days of rain everywhere was looking greener and fresh. How wonderfully close to nature it is watching the lightening out at sea, feeling the wind whip up around you, finally hearing the thunder and waiting for the rain to begin. I sat out on the balcony for more than half an hour feeling quite humble as a mere human being in the midst of this incredibly powerful show of nature, I was excited and totally in awe of the forces around me. At last when the rain did come it was no disappointment, great large blobs fell, each one splattering a couple of inches in diameter. How satisfying, the feeling of being able to slide my doors shut against the elements but still be able to see it all from the warmth and safety of my home.
This time out there we decided to have gas central heating fitted in the new house as we rely on a calor gas heater and the aircon unit which can also blow warm air - obviously due to the power cut that was not working. Most people I have spoken to say that central heating is unnecessary as it's only cold at night but maybe it's due to the stage of life that we're in, I just feel I'm too old to start suffering from a cold house even if it is only for 3 months of the year. I am not cold in Winter in UK so why should I be in Cyprus?
The house is coming on a treat, the roof is on now and the channels for the central heating pipes have been dug into the walls, the door frames have been fitted and the electrician is starting next week. We also had very good news about the well we had dug. While we were there a month ago it was dug but no water was found. As luck would have it when we went this time (before the rains) we thought we'd check and there was quite a bit of water in it - we got a pump to remove it and a couple of tons of water was taken out - this is such good news for us because without a well we would not have been able to have a pool or keep the orchard watered etc., not to mention the livestock I'm planning on keeping. I am so thankful for this water which may seem odd to anyone reading this in a country where it is taken for granted so much that we all waste far too much of it, and I am mindful of those less fortunate who are without this precious commodity.
We shall go out again in a couple of months to see the progress, but so far so good, it is all well ahead of schedule and excellent workmanship. Once bitten, twice shy as the saying goes with this build (our final home) we are determined to follow it very carefully to make sure everything is as it should be.
Within a couple of days of rain everywhere was looking greener and fresh. How wonderfully close to nature it is watching the lightening out at sea, feeling the wind whip up around you, finally hearing the thunder and waiting for the rain to begin. I sat out on the balcony for more than half an hour feeling quite humble as a mere human being in the midst of this incredibly powerful show of nature, I was excited and totally in awe of the forces around me. At last when the rain did come it was no disappointment, great large blobs fell, each one splattering a couple of inches in diameter. How satisfying, the feeling of being able to slide my doors shut against the elements but still be able to see it all from the warmth and safety of my home.
This time out there we decided to have gas central heating fitted in the new house as we rely on a calor gas heater and the aircon unit which can also blow warm air - obviously due to the power cut that was not working. Most people I have spoken to say that central heating is unnecessary as it's only cold at night but maybe it's due to the stage of life that we're in, I just feel I'm too old to start suffering from a cold house even if it is only for 3 months of the year. I am not cold in Winter in UK so why should I be in Cyprus?
The house is coming on a treat, the roof is on now and the channels for the central heating pipes have been dug into the walls, the door frames have been fitted and the electrician is starting next week. We also had very good news about the well we had dug. While we were there a month ago it was dug but no water was found. As luck would have it when we went this time (before the rains) we thought we'd check and there was quite a bit of water in it - we got a pump to remove it and a couple of tons of water was taken out - this is such good news for us because without a well we would not have been able to have a pool or keep the orchard watered etc., not to mention the livestock I'm planning on keeping. I am so thankful for this water which may seem odd to anyone reading this in a country where it is taken for granted so much that we all waste far too much of it, and I am mindful of those less fortunate who are without this precious commodity.
We shall go out again in a couple of months to see the progress, but so far so good, it is all well ahead of schedule and excellent workmanship. Once bitten, twice shy as the saying goes with this build (our final home) we are determined to follow it very carefully to make sure everything is as it should be.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Politically correct - or have they just lost the plot?
I have just had a conversation courtesy of msn with a very good friend in the TRNC, she is a wonderful lady and heavily involved in the childens charity SOS out there. She just told me that they are busy planning and making arrangements for a Santa and presents for the children being looked after by the charity. This prompted me to write my blog because at this time there are a few councils who are 'worried' about the effect of our (British) traditional celebrations such as Santas, decorations, public holidays (religious ones), the public singing of carrols and many more equally pathetic examples. Their concern? Well, apparently just in case muslims and other non christians are offended! Please note it's not the non christians who are complaining by the way, it's the brits in the council who are coming up with these totally ridiculous objections. Why, when there is so much 'real' suffering going on in the world do they expend their energies dreaming up these ideas? Would I think about complaining about the celebrations of Bayram and Ramadan in a muslim country? or in fact even in my own country! Surely the human rights issue here is that people should be free to celebrate their traditions freely. So why are we being forced to drop our form of celebrations, don't our human rights matter anymore?
So, it was a 'breath of fresh air' to learn about the Santa that the British expats are organising for the children of the TRNC, well done to them all and I look forward to the time I can join them and work alongside to help. It's just a shame I think that I have to look forward to my retirement so that I can leave my country due to the fact that nearly everything about it is fast becoming so alien to us. I'm sure the brave men who lost their lives fighting for freedom for our country and people in the wars are turning in their graves. Not to mention our lads out in Iraq and Afghanistan - what are they fighting for? - Don't get me started on that, I need to take the dogs for a walk!
So, it was a 'breath of fresh air' to learn about the Santa that the British expats are organising for the children of the TRNC, well done to them all and I look forward to the time I can join them and work alongside to help. It's just a shame I think that I have to look forward to my retirement so that I can leave my country due to the fact that nearly everything about it is fast becoming so alien to us. I'm sure the brave men who lost their lives fighting for freedom for our country and people in the wars are turning in their graves. Not to mention our lads out in Iraq and Afghanistan - what are they fighting for? - Don't get me started on that, I need to take the dogs for a walk!
Monday, 12 November 2007
The joys of Winter.............
As the nights are drawing in and the weather getting unmistakably colder I take delight in our evenings in front of our big open fire. Years ago we did all we could to get central heating and a fake gas open fire with glowing 'coals' so that we could pretend we had a real fire but without the mess of ash to clear out each morning. The thing is, it was never quite as cosy as we remembered the old real fires when we were kids.
So when we moved last year and we found the real fireplace that was hidden by a hideous old gas appliance we were absolutely delighted and (like now) spend our evenings in the beautiful warm glow of our blazing fire. It's no problem to clean out, I do this each morning and lay the fire ready to be lit when the temperature starts dropping rapidly outside (around 5.00pm ). We all look forward to the ritual of lighting it and locking the doors against the elements and the outside world.
It's a sort of primitive instinct, the feeling of warmth, safety, security and I am thankful for being able to enjoy such simple pleasures in life when so many are unable to. I also remember my Grandmother who had such a hard life in bringing up her 6 children single handed after my Grandfather died in the war. My mother tells me of how nan had to sew by candlelight to help pay the bills. It must have been so difficult to keep everyone fed and clothed. When they were evacuated nan joined them in a little village called Great Glen where she became a housekeeper at 'the big house'. In those days they had fires alight all day. In fact I also remember during my school days when I started at my secondary school at 11 years old we had a coal fire in the corner of each classroom and in Winter these were always lit before we got in and we would all gather round the fire before the teacher came in. Memories.................
So when we moved last year and we found the real fireplace that was hidden by a hideous old gas appliance we were absolutely delighted and (like now) spend our evenings in the beautiful warm glow of our blazing fire. It's no problem to clean out, I do this each morning and lay the fire ready to be lit when the temperature starts dropping rapidly outside (around 5.00pm ). We all look forward to the ritual of lighting it and locking the doors against the elements and the outside world.
It's a sort of primitive instinct, the feeling of warmth, safety, security and I am thankful for being able to enjoy such simple pleasures in life when so many are unable to. I also remember my Grandmother who had such a hard life in bringing up her 6 children single handed after my Grandfather died in the war. My mother tells me of how nan had to sew by candlelight to help pay the bills. It must have been so difficult to keep everyone fed and clothed. When they were evacuated nan joined them in a little village called Great Glen where she became a housekeeper at 'the big house'. In those days they had fires alight all day. In fact I also remember during my school days when I started at my secondary school at 11 years old we had a coal fire in the corner of each classroom and in Winter these were always lit before we got in and we would all gather round the fire before the teacher came in. Memories.................
Sunday, 11 November 2007
On corruption and principles...............
Someone mentioned to me recently that she would not be happy to live in a country where corruption went on daily and though everyone know's about it no one DID anything to stop it, I said where on earth did she live then (as I was under the impression she lived in UK). "Yes", she said, "of course I live in the UK", "and there's no corruption going on here?" I asked, "well, maybe a bit, but certainly not on the large scale that it is elsewhere" she conceded.
It boiled down to the fact that she was miffed after her last trip abroad where in a hot and stuffy airport she saw some passengers go from the rear of the long queue straight up to the barrier where they were warmly greeted by an immigration official and let through without waiting.
I think we have all witnessed similar ocurrences to some degree and possibly thought how unfair it seems, or maybe how lucky those passengers are? (if we're being honest?). So yes, I sympathised a little BUT to say that there is no corruption going on in the UK? This is not just naive it's stupid! The coverups that go on in policing, government, the royal family, the nhs, social services, education, not to mention if you have cause to sue a person then a barrister will ask if they could be a member of the Freemasons, as it's not worth it, because the case will not be successful!
Weighing it all up against the above I yearn to live in a place where I may get a little frustrated due to waiting in line, after all if I were in their place would I really say "no, it's ok, I prefer to wait here for the next 45 minutes rather than passing all these other people!" - I do have principles, I'm being honest!!!
Wherever we choose to live in this world I think we have to realise it's very much WHO you know not WHAT you know that matters EVERYWHERE however flawed that may seem to the idealist.
It boiled down to the fact that she was miffed after her last trip abroad where in a hot and stuffy airport she saw some passengers go from the rear of the long queue straight up to the barrier where they were warmly greeted by an immigration official and let through without waiting.
I think we have all witnessed similar ocurrences to some degree and possibly thought how unfair it seems, or maybe how lucky those passengers are? (if we're being honest?). So yes, I sympathised a little BUT to say that there is no corruption going on in the UK? This is not just naive it's stupid! The coverups that go on in policing, government, the royal family, the nhs, social services, education, not to mention if you have cause to sue a person then a barrister will ask if they could be a member of the Freemasons, as it's not worth it, because the case will not be successful!
Weighing it all up against the above I yearn to live in a place where I may get a little frustrated due to waiting in line, after all if I were in their place would I really say "no, it's ok, I prefer to wait here for the next 45 minutes rather than passing all these other people!" - I do have principles, I'm being honest!!!
Wherever we choose to live in this world I think we have to realise it's very much WHO you know not WHAT you know that matters EVERYWHERE however flawed that may seem to the idealist.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
On communal living........
Back in 1971 I travelled Europe with hubby (though he wasn't at that time). We spent a few months in West Germany and really enjoyed ourselves, literally working for food, beer and ciggies, we were young, and carefree and it was certainly a character building experience. I'm not sayng we didn't have some difficult times but all in all it taught us a lot about life and how to appreciate stuff. We decided to go through from Germany to Turkey and managed to get a lift through Austria, (the then) Yugoslavia, Bulgaria to Turkey. We stayed in the magical city of Istanbul with all it's hustle and bustle of life, a true 24 hour city. We met up with many friends along the way and thought about going on to Israel to work on a Kibbutz for a while. Instead we headed off from Turkey to Cyprus on a ferry (it's only 40 miles away), we got married there and spent 3 months working. I packed grapes biound for the UK and hubby dug holes for telegraph poles. The hours were long the pay minimal but we could even afford to go into town on a Saturday night.
In all of our times of hardship, neither of us did anything illegal nor claimed any benefits, it just didn't enter our heads to.
I often wonder what would have happened if we had decided to go to the Kibbutz instead and I must say the thought of communal living has always appealed to me, not so to hubby though. But I would love to live on a large farm or such where all friends and family that were like-minded could live and work and be totally self-sufficient.
How good it must be to prepare meals for so many with home produced veg etc and sit at a massive table (or tables) sharing the meals. To be able to bring children up in a safe environment with trustworthy people - of course it's only a dream to me now. Maybe in my next life................
In all of our times of hardship, neither of us did anything illegal nor claimed any benefits, it just didn't enter our heads to.
I often wonder what would have happened if we had decided to go to the Kibbutz instead and I must say the thought of communal living has always appealed to me, not so to hubby though. But I would love to live on a large farm or such where all friends and family that were like-minded could live and work and be totally self-sufficient.
How good it must be to prepare meals for so many with home produced veg etc and sit at a massive table (or tables) sharing the meals. To be able to bring children up in a safe environment with trustworthy people - of course it's only a dream to me now. Maybe in my next life................
Monday, 5 November 2007
Heavy stuff..........................
This post should maybe have been titled 'On reincarnation and Group souls....' but I thought it might sound a bit heavy, so I decided to call it just that.....
I am not trying to persuede anyone to change their personal beliefs so I want to begin by stating that this blog is all from a personal perspective - it's MY ramblings from MY Autumn years. As always, take what you want and leave the rest!
Throughout my life I have given a great deal of thought to 'the meaning of life', as you do. The theory that best makes sense to me is that of reincarnation where we go through many lifetimes, learning and evolving spiritually in each of them until there is no more to learn - but what then? this I'm not sure of but I'm quite happy to go along with the general idea that we choose the life we are going to live according to what lessons we need to learn. This could be in direct relation to what we have experienced in previous lives and I think on our journey we atone for whatever wrongs we have done. Therefore the 'what goes around, comes around' feels right and it allows us the ultimate self-responsibility in that if you are aware that your actions will determine what happens in your own life you are more likely to make wise choices. This is in line with the universal law of 'cause and effect'.
Along with my theory of reincarnation I believe that our existence in bodily form is not a solitary one, I think we belong to a 'soul group' in which we meet up time after time with the same souls in all different relationships with each other. This I find best explains how sometimes you can meet a person with whom you have an instant bond, regardless of what age difference, colour, creed or nationality. You each recognise that there is 'something' very deep between you, of course to the more enlightened of us we know what it is and accept it at once. This theory also explains how some couples get together even though they live thousands of miles apart and stay together despite overwhelming odds, I think it also explains how complicated some relationships are in families at times too.
Anyway, I think I've rambled on enough for one day.
I am not trying to persuede anyone to change their personal beliefs so I want to begin by stating that this blog is all from a personal perspective - it's MY ramblings from MY Autumn years. As always, take what you want and leave the rest!
Throughout my life I have given a great deal of thought to 'the meaning of life', as you do. The theory that best makes sense to me is that of reincarnation where we go through many lifetimes, learning and evolving spiritually in each of them until there is no more to learn - but what then? this I'm not sure of but I'm quite happy to go along with the general idea that we choose the life we are going to live according to what lessons we need to learn. This could be in direct relation to what we have experienced in previous lives and I think on our journey we atone for whatever wrongs we have done. Therefore the 'what goes around, comes around' feels right and it allows us the ultimate self-responsibility in that if you are aware that your actions will determine what happens in your own life you are more likely to make wise choices. This is in line with the universal law of 'cause and effect'.
Along with my theory of reincarnation I believe that our existence in bodily form is not a solitary one, I think we belong to a 'soul group' in which we meet up time after time with the same souls in all different relationships with each other. This I find best explains how sometimes you can meet a person with whom you have an instant bond, regardless of what age difference, colour, creed or nationality. You each recognise that there is 'something' very deep between you, of course to the more enlightened of us we know what it is and accept it at once. This theory also explains how some couples get together even though they live thousands of miles apart and stay together despite overwhelming odds, I think it also explains how complicated some relationships are in families at times too.
Anyway, I think I've rambled on enough for one day.
What's wrong with our society?
Over the last week or so we have been subjected to sporadic bursts of fireworks and I am sure if past years are anything to go by it will go on for the next week or so. I'm all for tradition and cultural bonding but what I fail to comprehend is why these 'fun-loving' people have to leave all their litter behind them!
I have given much thought to this 'situation' in our country and I think it boils down to a lack of decent education AT HOME - why blame the schools? I have brought up 3 children and certainly not with a rod of iron or anything like it. But I am proud of each of them and their lifestyles, they are decent, honest, confident, hard working people. When they were children I never said 'No' to them without explaining the reason behind it. If they made mistakes or did anything wrong (don't we all at times?) I taught them to come to me and 'fess up so that we could sort it out and that way they learnt honesty, they learnt not to lie, they learnt to hold their hands up and say 'sorry, that was me' and it taught them respect - for themselves and honour. My children grew to value the basic decencies which are the foundations of civilisation.
So why is there such an undercurrent of disrespect, dishonesty, and a totally apathetic attidtude in so many of our young people? My opinion? Because they have not been taught the values of decency at home - we wonder why the young are so violent , could it be because they have so much frustration pent up in them due to not really being happy with their lives? They don't know the feeling of pride and this is so very sad, is it any wonder they feel so much apathy?
Education not only begins at home but is always ongoing at home by parents, grandparents, as I've said before the day I stop learning is the day I die I hope it will be the same for my kids and grandkids.
I have given much thought to this 'situation' in our country and I think it boils down to a lack of decent education AT HOME - why blame the schools? I have brought up 3 children and certainly not with a rod of iron or anything like it. But I am proud of each of them and their lifestyles, they are decent, honest, confident, hard working people. When they were children I never said 'No' to them without explaining the reason behind it. If they made mistakes or did anything wrong (don't we all at times?) I taught them to come to me and 'fess up so that we could sort it out and that way they learnt honesty, they learnt not to lie, they learnt to hold their hands up and say 'sorry, that was me' and it taught them respect - for themselves and honour. My children grew to value the basic decencies which are the foundations of civilisation.
So why is there such an undercurrent of disrespect, dishonesty, and a totally apathetic attidtude in so many of our young people? My opinion? Because they have not been taught the values of decency at home - we wonder why the young are so violent , could it be because they have so much frustration pent up in them due to not really being happy with their lives? They don't know the feeling of pride and this is so very sad, is it any wonder they feel so much apathy?
Education not only begins at home but is always ongoing at home by parents, grandparents, as I've said before the day I stop learning is the day I die I hope it will be the same for my kids and grandkids.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
The grass is always greener..............
The older I get, the more apparent it becomes to me that the old sayings are so very true; 'a problem shared is a problem halved', 'give an inch, they'll take a mile', more haste less speed', and of course 'the grass is always greener on the other side', etc., etc., but talking of which I am in a bit of a quandry with the latter saying. I have always tried to be satisfied with my life rather than wasting energy on wishing it to be otherwise and thinkig that if you are unhappy with your life then you must be ungrateful, restless souls. However, on examining these thoughts I feel if we were always satisfied with our lives then there would be no reason to move house, change jobs, move up the ladder, motivate our kids and surely that would be a state of boring tedium and apathy - certainly not conducive to a happy life. So next time I am in the place that I yearn to be in I shall be able to tell myself that in fact, even though I really am happy and satisfied to be there, I can also start off a new project because the day I stop learning and working will surely be the day I die.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
A little bit of advice........
We're back from TRNC having checked on progress of our new build. It is well ahead of schedule and all controls (building inspections by our civil engineer) have been passed at each stage of the build so far.
We returned a couple of days ago and I received a comment from someone who has had a bad experience with their builder over there which seems to have tarred his view of the place. This has prompted me to publish some notes of advice on the subject.
Advice is not something I like to give because I believe that everyone is entitled to make their own decisions and indeed is responsible for those decisions whatever the outcome happens to be.
I am aware that there are cases of people having lost money on projects that they have agreed to and I am not about to criticise anyone else for their actions, what I am going to do is write about our first building experience in the TRNC back in 1990 in which we lost an awful lot of hard earned money.
I am not blaming anyone else for our predicament, we ought to have been more sensible, we should have insisted on independant checks, and we should have realised that what seemed too good to be true was exactly that!!!
We ended up spending three times as much as we were quoted for the house, in the first rain of the year we had water coming through the walls, pouring under the doors because the balconies were all slightly slanted towards the house, we had sewage seeping into some walls due to faulty plumbing and numerous other disastrous happenings. The most amazing thing is that the person who was entrusted as the contractor for the build was actually building on top of his house at the same time and guess what? each time we went there I was amazed to see that he had chosen the same tiles, the same windows, the same doors - I'm sure you get the idea - but do you know something? I didn't, of course when I look back I can hardly believe how stupid it was of us not to suspect it but we didn't!
So this time, we have done our homework, steered clear of the 'big boys' who were trying to sell off plan (definite recipe for disaster) and bought our land, engaged an architect, civil engineer, got plans passed and permission to build, etc. then we went to see examples of the builders work and spoke to the people in those houses to see what their experience had been and had everything written into the contracts including that the last payment will be kept back until after we move in and are happy with the whole house.
So people this is the way to buy and build ANYWHERE. Again, I refuse to blame anyone else but once bitten, twice shy and so we are now doing the sensible thing which we should have done in the first place.
As I said in my answer to the comment - the TRNC is still a corner of heaven but the inhabitants are not all angels!
We returned a couple of days ago and I received a comment from someone who has had a bad experience with their builder over there which seems to have tarred his view of the place. This has prompted me to publish some notes of advice on the subject.
Advice is not something I like to give because I believe that everyone is entitled to make their own decisions and indeed is responsible for those decisions whatever the outcome happens to be.
I am aware that there are cases of people having lost money on projects that they have agreed to and I am not about to criticise anyone else for their actions, what I am going to do is write about our first building experience in the TRNC back in 1990 in which we lost an awful lot of hard earned money.
I am not blaming anyone else for our predicament, we ought to have been more sensible, we should have insisted on independant checks, and we should have realised that what seemed too good to be true was exactly that!!!
We ended up spending three times as much as we were quoted for the house, in the first rain of the year we had water coming through the walls, pouring under the doors because the balconies were all slightly slanted towards the house, we had sewage seeping into some walls due to faulty plumbing and numerous other disastrous happenings. The most amazing thing is that the person who was entrusted as the contractor for the build was actually building on top of his house at the same time and guess what? each time we went there I was amazed to see that he had chosen the same tiles, the same windows, the same doors - I'm sure you get the idea - but do you know something? I didn't, of course when I look back I can hardly believe how stupid it was of us not to suspect it but we didn't!
So this time, we have done our homework, steered clear of the 'big boys' who were trying to sell off plan (definite recipe for disaster) and bought our land, engaged an architect, civil engineer, got plans passed and permission to build, etc. then we went to see examples of the builders work and spoke to the people in those houses to see what their experience had been and had everything written into the contracts including that the last payment will be kept back until after we move in and are happy with the whole house.
So people this is the way to buy and build ANYWHERE. Again, I refuse to blame anyone else but once bitten, twice shy and so we are now doing the sensible thing which we should have done in the first place.
As I said in my answer to the comment - the TRNC is still a corner of heaven but the inhabitants are not all angels!
Monday, 8 October 2007
A little corner of heaven, right here on earth.....
This is our second home country and will become our main country of residence once we retire. Northern Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it's a veritable paradise! The people are so friendly, so helpful, they would share their last meal with you. The rugged, natural beauty of the country is wonderful and still we find beaches with no one else on just a stretch of golden sand. Thankfully there are not too many tourists in the North as there are in the South of Cyprus. We are going out to see what progress has been made on our new villa. It will be so nice just to have a rest and to catch some sun. I was thinking earlier of an acquaintance from years ago, she was a very independant lady and a little eccentric (sounds just like me really!). Anyway she used to have a day each week on which she she would maintain silence, it was her day for contemplation. I used to thnk that it was not that worthwhile but as I get older I feel I coulod probably have one of these days myself, although it would not be easy in the beginning and I wouod have to have a notice on hand for an explanation for all the people who would forget. Then there would be a dilemma over the 'phone, in fact as nice as it sounds I think I've just talked myself out of it again, at least for the moment....................
Friday, 5 October 2007
Compassion..........
I was talking this afternoon with my sister-in-law (hubby's older sister) and her husband. They are really pleasant and gentle people. We were discussing Scrooge, sorry, hubby's selfish, nasty, penny pinching brother and I gave my honest opinion and how sad I find it that he is all 'me, me, me' when he has two surviving offspring who yearn for his love. I said I thought if everyone were honest with him instead of pandering to him he may decide to change. My sister-in-law said though they know what he is like and he has always been so, they are unable to voice their true opinion due to (probably) cultural reasons and that being polite as opposed to being honest if the honesty could cause upset, is how they maintain relationships with other people, family, friends or even strangers.
I gave considerable thought to this and I love, accept and respect them and their ways, but personally I could not be true to myself if I were any other way than I am.
I think this may seem hard perhaps to some but I am certainly not without compassion. I would be very happy to work with and help Scrooge if he wanted to change his ways, I would do my very best for him to help him rebuild his relationships with his children.
He's going through a hard time at the moment. When you make money your God, love disappears from your life and this is something he is experiencing but seems unable or unwilling to change the destructive pattern. I hope forf the sake of his kids he will see sense and realise the most important fortune one can have in life is the love of your family and then even the penniless can be a millionaire!
I gave considerable thought to this and I love, accept and respect them and their ways, but personally I could not be true to myself if I were any other way than I am.
I think this may seem hard perhaps to some but I am certainly not without compassion. I would be very happy to work with and help Scrooge if he wanted to change his ways, I would do my very best for him to help him rebuild his relationships with his children.
He's going through a hard time at the moment. When you make money your God, love disappears from your life and this is something he is experiencing but seems unable or unwilling to change the destructive pattern. I hope forf the sake of his kids he will see sense and realise the most important fortune one can have in life is the love of your family and then even the penniless can be a millionaire!
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
The day that changed my life
I have not always been as I am now. The thing is though, I can't remember properly what I was like or how I used to think before one fateful day in October 1992, the day my whole life changed and left me distraught and reeling. Of course I am referring to the day my Dad suffered a massive brain haemorrhage. I do remember the knock on the door, a policeman standing on the doorstep, I remember wondering what on earth he could possibly want and I remember listening to what he was saying all the time thinking how unreal everything seemed.
I really don't know how I drove to collect my sons and daughter from school and then on down to London, I don't remember much about the journey other than I was driving in desperation trying to see through tears, trying to reach him in the Intensive Care Unit before his life ebbed away. When I got there although his body was still breathing and his heart still beating I knew my Dad was no longer in there.
All at once I knew I no longer had a chance to tell him how much I loved him, it was something that none of us ever said to each other. You see when I think of that now I cannot even imagine what prevented me from saying those few little words, I can't remember my feelings about it and now as I say this to each of my family often it seems as though it wasn't me then - well, it certainly wasn't the me that I am now!
I had some really odd thoughts in the days after Dad died. I would keep trying to make a bargain with God, I'd say " Please just let my Dad come to my front door now and I promise I won't say anything like - I thought you died" I mean as if that could ever happen! I would be out shopping and very nearly ran up to a few different men with their backs to me thinking it was him. I know now this was just the early stages of normal grief and mourning for someone so close but at the time I felt as if I was losing my mind.
The one thing that I found so very difficult to accept was that I had no idea that he was dying. Now this probably seems a bit odd to anyone reading this if they don't know me, but throughout my life I have had psychic experiences concerning close family, for instance I could hear my Uncle calling my name when he was in hospital and he was alone and dying and I so I was able to get his daughter to go in there and she was with him when he died. Why didn't I 'know' that my Dad was about to suffer a massive stroke?
Anyway, of course, que sera, sera. I wasn't meant to know, his time was up and there is nothing anyone can do to prevent the final calling.
So, that was the beginning of the rest of my life, I miss my Dad every day and hope he is proud of the person I have become - Dad, my love always, J xxx
I really don't know how I drove to collect my sons and daughter from school and then on down to London, I don't remember much about the journey other than I was driving in desperation trying to see through tears, trying to reach him in the Intensive Care Unit before his life ebbed away. When I got there although his body was still breathing and his heart still beating I knew my Dad was no longer in there.
All at once I knew I no longer had a chance to tell him how much I loved him, it was something that none of us ever said to each other. You see when I think of that now I cannot even imagine what prevented me from saying those few little words, I can't remember my feelings about it and now as I say this to each of my family often it seems as though it wasn't me then - well, it certainly wasn't the me that I am now!
I had some really odd thoughts in the days after Dad died. I would keep trying to make a bargain with God, I'd say " Please just let my Dad come to my front door now and I promise I won't say anything like - I thought you died" I mean as if that could ever happen! I would be out shopping and very nearly ran up to a few different men with their backs to me thinking it was him. I know now this was just the early stages of normal grief and mourning for someone so close but at the time I felt as if I was losing my mind.
The one thing that I found so very difficult to accept was that I had no idea that he was dying. Now this probably seems a bit odd to anyone reading this if they don't know me, but throughout my life I have had psychic experiences concerning close family, for instance I could hear my Uncle calling my name when he was in hospital and he was alone and dying and I so I was able to get his daughter to go in there and she was with him when he died. Why didn't I 'know' that my Dad was about to suffer a massive stroke?
Anyway, of course, que sera, sera. I wasn't meant to know, his time was up and there is nothing anyone can do to prevent the final calling.
So, that was the beginning of the rest of my life, I miss my Dad every day and hope he is proud of the person I have become - Dad, my love always, J xxx
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Truth can hurt.....but lies destroy
Why are so many people two-faced? Is it because they think they will hurt someone if they speak the truth? or is it that they find it embasrrassing to say what they think? but if the same people then go and say something different to other people what does that make them? Dishonest, two-faced, liars, I find these pathetic unprincipled people despicable, and what's more I am not afraid to tell them so!
I am a dealer in the truth, however unsavoury, upsetting or hurtful it may be. I don't want to be false. I believe the only way to live properly is by walking the path of truth and it is not always easy but at least everyone knows where they stand with me. Of course people have the right to do with this what they wish and if they don't like it, it is THEIR problem. I only ask for them to be honest with me so I know where I stand.
In my line of work I need to be honest with my clients and it is through my challenging of them and their thoughts and feelings that therapy is achieved.
I have to be honest with my family otherwise how could they ever trust me? My friends know and appreciate that they can trust whatever I say to them and that they could not have a more loyal and faithful person at their side. If I did not feel honest I would consider myself without honour and I could not live in peace and harmony with the world like that.
I am a dealer in the truth, however unsavoury, upsetting or hurtful it may be. I don't want to be false. I believe the only way to live properly is by walking the path of truth and it is not always easy but at least everyone knows where they stand with me. Of course people have the right to do with this what they wish and if they don't like it, it is THEIR problem. I only ask for them to be honest with me so I know where I stand.
In my line of work I need to be honest with my clients and it is through my challenging of them and their thoughts and feelings that therapy is achieved.
I have to be honest with my family otherwise how could they ever trust me? My friends know and appreciate that they can trust whatever I say to them and that they could not have a more loyal and faithful person at their side. If I did not feel honest I would consider myself without honour and I could not live in peace and harmony with the world like that.
Friday, 28 September 2007
Awareness......
I was thinking today about the passing of the Season, it's most certainly Autumn now but it's not just the colder more blustery wet weather that makes this apparent to me. Something stirs inside me and I find myself shopping for tins of food, stocking up the cupboards and freezer with ingredients for good wholesome casseroles, making sure we have plenty of logs stacked and stored ready for the cold nights that are to come, and as I make these preparations I get sort of excited knowing that I shall be prepared even if we were to be snowed in for a couple of weeks (not that it has ever happened here in Northampton). I find it increasingly harder to get out of bed in the mornings, maybe because it's still dark but I know from experience as Autumn fades into Winter there will be many cold mornings in the depth of the Winter that I won't want to get up, not just because of the cold but I feel more tired like I could stay cocooned in my duvet for days at a time. Of course, I never give in to this, I can't as I have my dogs and family to look after, not to mention work to go to. When I'm out with the dogs and on my way to work I find a sense of exhileration in the biting wind and the crisp frost beneath my feet. Then when I look around me I see that the squirrels and rabbits, hedgehogs and other small mammals have made the same preparations and being able to follow their natural instincts, have gone into hibernation. So why should we be amazed at these instinctive feelings? we are also mammals with instincts that we ought to trust and instead of smothering them we should try to tune into them more to be more aware..........
Living in the present
I just wrote the description of my Blog and it dawned on me that maybe some people out there are not aware of what is meant by living in the present or 'living in the now'. So many people you know are either living in the past with "we used to..........", "if only it was.................", "I wish it was..........", etc., or living in the future, how many people do you hear saying "in 6 weeks I'll be..........", "after I come back off holiday I'm going to........", "After next Christmas........", etc., etc. So where does that leave us? It leaves us in a kind of limbo, we're so busy looking back or looking forward that our present life passes us by almost without us noticing. Then all of a sudden the realisation that more years are behind us than we have left to go sort of pops up like some gruesome Jack-in-the-box and it becomes important to try and slow it all down so that we can get the best out of our time in this life.
There's a saying that 'the older you get, the faster time flies', but I think it's more a case of our perception of time is changing because even young people are saying that time seems to be passing more quickly. I don't know about you but it seems as soon as Christmas is over it's Easter, then summer holidays, and then before you know it the shops are stocking Christmas stuff and we've come full circle.
So how can we live in the present and slow it all down? Start by noticing things around you where you are, too often we lose ourselves in everyday routine, you get in a car and how many times have you got almost to your destination without realising the journey you've been on? It's scary, its almost like being hypnotised, of course if anything serious had happened you would react immediately and you would be catapaulted into the present but why should it take a near accident to make you start living in the present?
Start enjoying life a bit more, you take the dog out? - take time to look at nature around you. If you feel there isn't enough time for things, allow more time to do them, start out earlier or rearrange your days. Whatever doesn't get done will be there tomorrow to do, nothing is as important as your relationships, take time to let your loved ones know how much they mean to you, I'm sorry to say that we just don't know how long we have to live, don't ever leave it too late to say "I love you" to those you love. You will never regret saying it - you might regret NOT saying it.
There's a saying that 'the older you get, the faster time flies', but I think it's more a case of our perception of time is changing because even young people are saying that time seems to be passing more quickly. I don't know about you but it seems as soon as Christmas is over it's Easter, then summer holidays, and then before you know it the shops are stocking Christmas stuff and we've come full circle.
So how can we live in the present and slow it all down? Start by noticing things around you where you are, too often we lose ourselves in everyday routine, you get in a car and how many times have you got almost to your destination without realising the journey you've been on? It's scary, its almost like being hypnotised, of course if anything serious had happened you would react immediately and you would be catapaulted into the present but why should it take a near accident to make you start living in the present?
Start enjoying life a bit more, you take the dog out? - take time to look at nature around you. If you feel there isn't enough time for things, allow more time to do them, start out earlier or rearrange your days. Whatever doesn't get done will be there tomorrow to do, nothing is as important as your relationships, take time to let your loved ones know how much they mean to you, I'm sorry to say that we just don't know how long we have to live, don't ever leave it too late to say "I love you" to those you love. You will never regret saying it - you might regret NOT saying it.
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Dentist!
My daughter very kindly offered to give me lifts to and from work today, (this happens quite often if she is on an afternoon/evening shift) it saves me £7.00 in parking fees per day and also while I was on Taxi duty before the kids could drive I warned each of them that 'payback' would be required one day. I was always as benevolent as a regular Mafia Godfather(mother), "of course I am pleased to do this thing for you my son/daughter, one day I will call on you to do something for me" - the words within quotations being said with heavy Italian accent. It's great, they never moan about it and I really appreciate it. Anyway, I digress, this morning my daughter asked me if I would accompany her to the dentist after work which I did naturally. We found that before she could even book an appointment she would have to pay £43 odd and it wasn't possible for her to see the dentist she has had for years because the treatment she needs would cost £300!!! On enquiring, he has given up NHS work and so refuses to do her Root Canal work, she had to be transferred to another dentist who will take on NHS work!!! We tried to book an appointment (don't forget she has just paid for the treatment and incidentally she's in pain) and they said it can't be done before the end of November!!!
We were not happy with this state of affairs and the daughter's temper was becoming frayed, I know better than to muscle in and take over so let her sort it out for herself, I was there for any support (moral or otherwise) that was needed. She managed admirably (go girl!), we left the surgery with an appointment for 08.50 the next morning and I am reassured once more how capable and independent my offspring are and I feel so proud of them and how they have turned out.
It makes me happy to know they would be okay if, for whatever reason (God forbid!), I wasn't around anymore. I just love them so much but in loving them so intensely I have to be careful to allow them to lead their own lives, make their own choices and more importantly make their own mistakes. They all know I am here and support them every step of the way and they are not afraid to follow their dreams wherever they may take them.
We were not happy with this state of affairs and the daughter's temper was becoming frayed, I know better than to muscle in and take over so let her sort it out for herself, I was there for any support (moral or otherwise) that was needed. She managed admirably (go girl!), we left the surgery with an appointment for 08.50 the next morning and I am reassured once more how capable and independent my offspring are and I feel so proud of them and how they have turned out.
It makes me happy to know they would be okay if, for whatever reason (God forbid!), I wasn't around anymore. I just love them so much but in loving them so intensely I have to be careful to allow them to lead their own lives, make their own choices and more importantly make their own mistakes. They all know I am here and support them every step of the way and they are not afraid to follow their dreams wherever they may take them.
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Mid-life Crisis? Nah, just another rite of passage.....
I really have a problem 'acting my age', I mean what is a 50something year old supposed to act like? When I was in my 20's I think I thought being anything over 35 was like the beginning of the end. In fact I can remember having a good friend and colleague at work when I was 20 who was 10 years older than me, we lived in Germany at the time, and I remember saying to hubby that I was surprised to hear she went to disco's (clubbing) because I thought she was past it!!! When I think back I can hardly believe how idiotic that was of me.
So, here I am at 54 and wondering what people expect of me. Not that it would matter that much I just think it would be interesting to know what others feel I should be behaving like. I know how I feel and the fact that I didn't get tattooed until I was 50 and now I have 8 tattoos (and more planned), it's so addictive. I have my music on loud and I often drive too fast. I think I am probably growing old DISgracefully. Perhaps I should be described as eccentric? That seems to be a way of being accepted by most and you know what? Quite honestly I don't give a rat's arse what people think because I am happy with me, in fact I lurve me and THAT is all that really matters.
We are all self-responsible, so the only person you need to ask for approval is yourself. If you find you don't like something about yourself there are two things you can do about it (as I'm always telling my clients); you can either change whatever it is about yourself if you don't like it OR......you ACCEPT it about yourself and love yourself anyway. No one has the right to force change on another person.
So, here I am at 54 and wondering what people expect of me. Not that it would matter that much I just think it would be interesting to know what others feel I should be behaving like. I know how I feel and the fact that I didn't get tattooed until I was 50 and now I have 8 tattoos (and more planned), it's so addictive. I have my music on loud and I often drive too fast. I think I am probably growing old DISgracefully. Perhaps I should be described as eccentric? That seems to be a way of being accepted by most and you know what? Quite honestly I don't give a rat's arse what people think because I am happy with me, in fact I lurve me and THAT is all that really matters.
We are all self-responsible, so the only person you need to ask for approval is yourself. If you find you don't like something about yourself there are two things you can do about it (as I'm always telling my clients); you can either change whatever it is about yourself if you don't like it OR......you ACCEPT it about yourself and love yourself anyway. No one has the right to force change on another person.
Saturday, 22 September 2007
Weekends
Another weekend is upon us. I've just bid my sons Bon voyage as they are off to North Cyprus for a week and I am waiting for my daughter to pop in on her way to work. I also have my nephew and his wife coming this afternoon as we shall be taking them out to dinner tonight to a lovely little Turkish restaurant in town. We have become sort of surrogate parents to my nephew who is so much like my own son its scary. His father (hubby's bro), is not a very nice man and certainly doesn't appreciate what treasure he has in his own children or grandchildren. How can a person put money over their kid? It's one of those things I shall never understand but I can do nothing about, the only thing I can do is to ensure my nephew how much he is loved by others in the family, particularly us. I am not going to even try to be a substitute for his parents but my heart is big enough to hold him in alongside my own kids.
Just over a year ago a tragedy occurred and we lost his brother who unbeknown to us was in such a dark place that he took his own life, this was such a massive thing no one in the family failed to be devastated. If only...., if only...., of course if only doesn't exist but you would think the man would learn from his mistakes and start loving his surviving kids but that hasn't happened, he's still as mean and self centred as before blaming everyone and everything but himself.
Just over a year ago a tragedy occurred and we lost his brother who unbeknown to us was in such a dark place that he took his own life, this was such a massive thing no one in the family failed to be devastated. If only...., if only...., of course if only doesn't exist but you would think the man would learn from his mistakes and start loving his surviving kids but that hasn't happened, he's still as mean and self centred as before blaming everyone and everything but himself.
Kaiser
This is Kaiser, he's Rosie's toy boy. He's only two and a half but towers over Rosie as he's a bit of a bruiser. His nature is as soppy and daft as anything and we often say he is a Labrador in a rottie's coat! But he has a low gruff voice which combined with his size is more than enough to keep villains at bay. We often wonder how with his head being twice that of Rosie's his brain is painfully obviously only the size of a walnut at times - the penny drops like way after his mate's sussed it all out an gone off with his ball, toy, chew (as well a her own!) and of course then won't allow him anywhere near......such is life in a rottie household. He loves it of course being dominated by such a princess and he rarely gets the better of her. Lovely boy, perfect ambassador for the breed though suffers from OCD - Nooooo, not obsessive compulsive disorder! His elbows are effected and are somewhat arthritic so he walks with a bit of a stilted gait. Our dogs are as precious to us as our kids, but I'm a responsible dog owner and so I don't allow them in the same room as my grandchildren - just in case! They are dogs, I have no illusions and children can be prone to shrieking at times which could trigger deep rooted instincts - a mistake by a rottie is too massive to allow so i just make sure there is never an opportunity. Friday, 21 September 2007
Rosie
This is 
This is Rosie (rottie princess), she is 7 years old and second to none. She is reserved, calm and protective when necessary. She is very intelligent and a sheer joy to be with. We are so proud to be her people and only hope that she feels the same about us.
This is Rosie (rottie princess), she is 7 years old and second to none. She is reserved, calm and protective when necessary. She is very intelligent and a sheer joy to be with. We are so proud to be her people and only hope that she feels the same about us. First
21/09/2009 This being my first offering, I was of course, totally unsure of everything about my blog - I mean I knew what sort of thing I want to present but after setting up my Blogspace I'm exhausted from all the rapid (relatively) decisions I was forced to make - so the first offering will probably be shorter giving me time for 'r & r' (rest & recouperation) before attempting to share more of my ramblings.
I guess a brief intro to me and my life may be appropriate. So, I am a 20something 54 year old psychotherapist, ex hippy wildchild of the '60's, mother of 3 who have (thankfully and finally) flown the nest leaving hubby and me and the 2 dogs home alone! Am I suffering from 'empty nest syndrome'? the hell I am! No, I LOVE it, we can do whatever we want whenever we want to - Noooo, I'm not referring to THAT! I mean the wonderful sense of freedom we have to eat what we want, when we want, to wash-up last thing at night and not have the sink piled high with 9 mugs, 4 dinner plates, 3 cereal dishes, numerous items of cutlery and each piece unique with once edible matter in various stages decay. Not to mention piping hot water ANYTIME, clean towels, being able to hear the TV without resorting to lip reading, phonecalls actually for us and being on talking terms with the neighbours again after years of sneaking out of the house so as to avoid confrontation over; noise or parking.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love my offspring more than anything in the world but I love them as the independent adults that they have become, I am proud of the result of our hard work as parents and I applaud their wonderful sense of individuality none afraid to stand up and be counted for their principles.
I fail to understand parents (particularly mums) who won't allow their children to make their own decisions. I shall of course always support ours in whtever they want to do regardless of my own feelings, one thing I always say is 'have no regrets, there are no mistakes, only learning curves'.
I guess a brief intro to me and my life may be appropriate. So, I am a 20something 54 year old psychotherapist, ex hippy wildchild of the '60's, mother of 3 who have (thankfully and finally) flown the nest leaving hubby and me and the 2 dogs home alone! Am I suffering from 'empty nest syndrome'? the hell I am! No, I LOVE it, we can do whatever we want whenever we want to - Noooo, I'm not referring to THAT! I mean the wonderful sense of freedom we have to eat what we want, when we want, to wash-up last thing at night and not have the sink piled high with 9 mugs, 4 dinner plates, 3 cereal dishes, numerous items of cutlery and each piece unique with once edible matter in various stages decay. Not to mention piping hot water ANYTIME, clean towels, being able to hear the TV without resorting to lip reading, phonecalls actually for us and being on talking terms with the neighbours again after years of sneaking out of the house so as to avoid confrontation over; noise or parking.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love my offspring more than anything in the world but I love them as the independent adults that they have become, I am proud of the result of our hard work as parents and I applaud their wonderful sense of individuality none afraid to stand up and be counted for their principles.
I fail to understand parents (particularly mums) who won't allow their children to make their own decisions. I shall of course always support ours in whtever they want to do regardless of my own feelings, one thing I always say is 'have no regrets, there are no mistakes, only learning curves'.
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