The dentist did his deed yesterday with the last of the arranged extractions. It went better than the last time despite a minor misunderstanding before we left the house. I nearly went into panic overdrive as I thought dearest Mr Doris was going to try and fit in getting daughter to college before the dentist. It was my time and I felt very fragile and nearly threw myself onto the floor in a trantrum fit and certainly went into hyperventilating and heart racing.
Daughter looked at me like a madwoman and Mr Doris couldn't understand why I was upset as I had clearly misunderstood that he was putting me first. But he was very sweet and apologised.
The dental assistant tried to get him to sit in the waiting room and I was firm this time that he should hold my hand until I went under and he did. And then in the recovery room I passed out for 20 minutes and he was holding my hand as I came to.
I had another stitch but so far recovery is going better than last time. For 24 hours I resisted any food or cups of tea as I just can't bear anything to go wrong. I bit down on a wet wad for many hours yesterday to try to stem the bleeding. It seems to have done the trick.
Today, to complete the blood fest, I get to use my new Mooncup proper. It's been a very long time since I've been excited about my monthly cycle and will review the Mooncup in a few days.
Original Comments:
Wednesday, 30 November 2005
Monday, 28 November 2005
Driving snow
 | ||
| Warm in the car Driving along. Thick flakes of snow Pelt across the windscreen Like a blizzard With me in my snow globe. I love driving in the snow :-) |
|
| | ||
Original Comments:
- Penn Beer said...
-
We have gridlock here in Bogsville. A dusting of snow and the idiots are out of control.
It warms my heart to know that there is at least one other expert driver out there somewhere. - miltbogs said...
-
Who is Pennbeer? What's he doing in Bogsville?
- jane said...
-
That is such a beautiful post, both in word & appearance.
I seem to be easy to confuse tonight. Is it really snowing there? (I'm thinking not, but am not sure) - doris said...
-
Jane Oh yes, we had snow yesterday. Great big fluffy snowflakes that came down in a sort of blizzard. Now we don't get real blizzards and it made me laugh becuase a negative person I know complains about blizzards (which we don't get) and here was one! It's not settled as it was too wet.
Milt Maybe you have new neighbours and need to go over and say hello and invite down the Tulip & Tiara don'tchafink? :-)
Penn Beer You've casued dear old Milt some consternation. He is always regailing us with tales of Bogsville! Coo - I've been referred to as an expert driver. I think I should say no more and swan off thinking I really am :-) - Growing Up said...
-
I'm a real nervous driver so thats one thing i'm dreading when it snows here. My kids are going to hate me because we will be walking to school everyday.
- jane said...
-
Doris, that is so cool! It sounds like you get just enough snow to where its enjoyable. I absolutely love the snowflakes around the poem. (well I know they're flowers, but they look like snowflakes)
- DorisFM said...
-
It's beautiful.
Greets from Aguascalientes, Mexico. - Astryngia said...
-
Love the snowglobe idea. Lovely. We had a blizzard last Friday. Snow disappeared in sno time.
- baker said...
-
nice poem!!
viderevidenda.blogspot.com
Thursday, 24 November 2005
Mooncup
In honour of Buy Nothing Day this Saturday I have bought (!) my daughter and I a Mooncup each. As you can see we have a mummy sized one on the right:
Also MrsDoF has long mentioned them and wrote again about The Diva Cup which is another brand of the same sort of thing. A friend of mine was raving about them a few years ago so, finally, I have taken the plunge.
Daughter is going to get hers for Christmas. It should be one of those suitably embarrassing gifts but I wish it wasn't an embarrassing subject for her. If it can help towards saving her from 10,000 sanitary towels and tampons during her lifetime then it must be a great gift.
As for me, I have yet to take my Mooncup for a tour. And to trim it's tail to what is comfortable for me. They reckon it lasts for ten years and all you do is insert, and then a couple of times a day remove, wipe out, rinse off and re-insert. Occasionally you are supposed to sterilise it in boiling water or in a steriliser. (I can hear it now.... "Muuuum, what's this boiling on the cooker?")
Apparently it can take up to two menstrual cycles to get used to it and then I'd never look back. I did lots of reading on the subject and found some very funny reviews. My natural ghoulish curiousity can't wait to see how the contents of my Mooncup works out in practise. Fingers crossed - not long to wait.
Original Comments:
Also MrsDoF has long mentioned them and wrote again about The Diva Cup which is another brand of the same sort of thing. A friend of mine was raving about them a few years ago so, finally, I have taken the plunge.
Daughter is going to get hers for Christmas. It should be one of those suitably embarrassing gifts but I wish it wasn't an embarrassing subject for her. If it can help towards saving her from 10,000 sanitary towels and tampons during her lifetime then it must be a great gift.
As for me, I have yet to take my Mooncup for a tour. And to trim it's tail to what is comfortable for me. They reckon it lasts for ten years and all you do is insert, and then a couple of times a day remove, wipe out, rinse off and re-insert. Occasionally you are supposed to sterilise it in boiling water or in a steriliser. (I can hear it now.... "Muuuum, what's this boiling on the cooker?")
Apparently it can take up to two menstrual cycles to get used to it and then I'd never look back. I did lots of reading on the subject and found some very funny reviews. My natural ghoulish curiousity can't wait to see how the contents of my Mooncup works out in practise. Fingers crossed - not long to wait.
Original Comments:
- The Editter said...
- hello - delurking to point you to a blogger Mooncup review here:
http://watchamacallits.blogspot.com/2005/05/mooncup-is-here.html
hmm, you're not going to make your daughter open it in front of a whole bunch of rellies, are you?
- doris said...
- Hallo The Editter
"hmm, you're not going to make your daughter open it in front of a whole bunch of rellies, are you?" Ooooh tempting revenge.... but no! More important issues at hand here.
Nice of you to de-lurk and I've put that link in as a clickable link...
watchamacallits.blogspot.com
- Ally said...
- Hmm, I've read about these before, now definitely going to get one. But what happens at night? Do you need to get up half way through and empty it, or does that just depend on how heavy you are?
- doris said...
- Just as you say, it depends.
I'm part way through reading this other review and subsequent comments.
I've already experimented myself and so far much better than I expected and have a few things to say in due course on the subject!
- MrsDoF said...
- Thanks for the nod, Missy Doris. Blush, blush.
Actually, Ally, I like it best at night. No need for panties to hold a pad in place. I hate it when my panties get in a wad ;) !!
I've used my cup for several cycles and don't have leaking. It can stay in for as long as 10 hours, and holds several ounces.
Makes me wonder about what Natives used in times past. How come history always mentions battles but not fixable monthly needs?
- Badaunt said...
- I'm looking forward to reading how you get on with it. I've thought about getting one, too. Maybe you will inspire me...
Mrsdof: I've often wondered about how women used to manage, too.
- jane said...
- Doris, won't your daughter just die if she finds out there was an actual photo of her Mooncup on an international blog? I dont think I'd tell her.
I find it cute you got mom & daughter ones. I'm thinking now of getting it for myself & Cavegirl.
I'll wait for your review first. :)
- doris said...
- Jane - she won't find out! The kids do not know about mommy's secret blogging habit which is why I keep it anonymous and do not mention their/our names.
:-)
- Juggling Mother said...
- Sounds like an interseting concept - you'll have to review it for us once its been used.
My mother once sent me embarrassing post while I was working in a holiday camp. we got the mail at breakfast, & I opened mine in front off all the staff & children for about 20 condoms to fall out. Thanks mum!
The historical evidence tends to show women used to have the big tie onto a waist-band pads that some of us can remember - filled with moss most usually. Of course women didn't menstruate as much, tending to be pregnant or feeding babies most of the time. Also, many cultures "secluded" menstruating women, making life much easier:-)
- Writer Mom said...
- I shall have to wait until the children are older. I expect they would think it a small trumpet.
Not that I would leave it lying around. Oh no. I'm very organized.
- Jo said...
- Well obviously I don't have any personal experience ;-) but 'er indoors swears by them and has been a loyalist for some years now!
Tuesday, 22 November 2005
Comfort food - Tiramisu
| The 100% calorie-free comforter!!! Tiramisu Mascarpone cheese; double cream; organic egg yolk; sponge fingers; frozen chocolate, strong coffee sweetened and Tia Maria. 1) pour glass of Tia Maria and sip 2) whip Mascarpone, cream, egg yolk and generous slugs of Tia Maria until firmish |  | |
| 3) Pour several more generous slugs of Tia Maria into about half pint cold strong coffee ever so slightly sweetened. Put handfuls of the sponge fingers into the coffee and liquer and let soak a moment and then lay in serving dish. Keep going until you have base covered in sponge fingers. |  | |
| 4) Use a peeler to shave chocolate over the moist finger base. I used about half of a strip of chocolate here. 5) Keep sipping your liquer |  | |
| 6) Pour over the whipped Mascarpone mixture. No extra sugar was needed in it as the liquer sweetens it if you use enough! |  | |
| 7) Spread out the cream mixture. |  | |
| 8) This is what it looks like from the side. |  | |
| 9) Shave some more of the chocolate over the top. |  | |
| 10) Admire how it is looking and sip some more Tia Maria. |  | |
| 11) Refrigerate for at least several hours. I made this at lunchtime and will eat it the same evening. It tastes even better the next day as the flavours and textures will have developed. |  | |
| 12) This is very important and in fact you shouldn't attempt this recipe unless you do the following. Get your mixing bowl... |  | |
| 13) ... and lick it nice and clean. A clean finger should do the trick. Make sure you haven't wasted any precious mixture on the beaters either. A tongue is good for them (but first unplug mixer!) |  | |
| 14) Some hours later you are ready to serve up... |  | |
| 15) Enjoy. As for those calories you must remember that if you worry over these things then you are lost. Eat with love and thanks and just don't over do it. Mr Doris and I will probably finish off this pud in two days!! :-) |
Original Comments:
- Le laquet said...
- Yum! Mascarpone ... with anything, yum!
- Hannah said...
- It's fine: if you cut it in half, all the calories will fall out. It's one of the Diet Rules. :D
- jane said...
- It's 3am & I find myself wanting to go to YOUR house & raid your fridge.
The restaurant where my daughter works used to serve tiramisu but stopped for some really stupid reason.
Gosh Doris, that looks absolutely scrumptous.
- Ally said...
- [moan of greed ...]
- MrsDoF said...
- I think I gained a couple pounds just looking at the yummy pictures. Yum!
- ella m. said...
- I'm going to the store to get ingredients, just so I can make this tomorrow. :drool:
- doris said...
- LOL
Le Laquet Absolutely!
You know Le Laquet, I had a funny thing with my browser last night and couldn't access my blog because it kept serving up yours! It was a strange browser cache problem [of mine] because it had my url but each time your blog!!!
Hannah I endorse that theory too ;-)
Jane :-) "The restaurant where my daughter works used to serve tiramisu but stopped for some really stupid reason." That reason would be the bird flu I suspect. Musn't use raw egg products but what the heck, I'm British and we ate British beef during mad cow disease when the rest of the world boycotted it! I went for a quality organic egg but I reckon it is supposed to be the free range chooks more at risk from birds carrying bird flu!
Ally :-) At least even less calories and probably burns some just looking!
MrsDoF Nah - you should be losing the calories from the brain energy of imagining these sumptious and cosy warm creamy flavours >grin<
Ella M If you do, let me know. I reckon every time I make it my quantities are slightly different so I reckon one can be flexible. I used to put a good vanilla essence into the cream but I reckon the Tia Maria puts paid to the flavour so don't bother now.
- Milt Bogs said...
- It's time to point Mrs B. at a new pud.
- /T/ said...
- oh my god, that looks good. You just made me crave Tiramisu more than anything. Can I order here?
- Sarah said...
- I'm not a big Tiramisu fan but it does look very yummy!
- Anji said...
- Wow, you made that AND took the photos. I'll buy your cookery book when it comes out!
- craziequeen said...
- [dribble]
any use asking if there are leftovers??
cw
- Lisa said...
- Sounds delicious. However, I would like to posit that it is not comfort food. Far too much work is involved fot that to be comfort food. Comfort food is chocolate, chips, cake... oh God. I need some chocolate.
- Neutron said...
- Wow, I haven't had tiramisu for yonks!! MMMMmmmmmmmmm...
We once took one - well laced with alcohol...the cake I mean - to my older daughter's kindergarten summer party only to find - shock horror - that when our backs were turned the kids had eaten more than half of it and were staggering around drunk! We took my younger daughter to a different kindergarten!
- Writer Mom said...
- Just came out of my Thanksgiving coma, thinking I could never eat anything ever again. You have cured me! I want to eat again!!
Yum E!!!
Sunday, 20 November 2005
Dawning of an age
16 year old daughter finally has her first part-time job. It is in a major electrical 
store in one of those satellite shopping parks and she is in Customer Services. One of those spotty youths (although she is generally not spotty) who stand there and are supposed to help you with your refunds or problems with your product, but clearly know nothing about anything.
Each of these weekend mornings I have had to defrost the ice-cube known as our car and deliver said daughter on time. And once up and frozen I'm not inclined to go back to bed.... so yesterday morning I came back and took son shopping for some winter woolies. Last night daughter commented her wonder that people are out shopping at 9am. Well, I now know. Those shoppers are the parents of all the spotty youths and having just delivered them decide to make best use of the time.
Original Comments:
store in one of those satellite shopping parks and she is in Customer Services. One of those spotty youths (although she is generally not spotty) who stand there and are supposed to help you with your refunds or problems with your product, but clearly know nothing about anything.Each of these weekend mornings I have had to defrost the ice-cube known as our car and deliver said daughter on time. And once up and frozen I'm not inclined to go back to bed.... so yesterday morning I came back and took son shopping for some winter woolies. Last night daughter commented her wonder that people are out shopping at 9am. Well, I now know. Those shoppers are the parents of all the spotty youths and having just delivered them decide to make best use of the time.
Original Comments:
- Jo said...
-
Hey Doris...hot tip to give your daughter. When customer asks her to tell him/her about the product there on the shelf, suggest that she does more than just read out the point of sale card that's sitting right next to the item in full view! You know the one - the bullet points telling you the 3/4/5 'key' things...but which tell you nothing...that you've already read when you approach the assistant!
Currys and Dixons have this down to a fine art - the belief that the chief difficulty their customers have is with reading.
;-)
Seriously though - good for her. Hope she enjoys it. - doris said...
-
Ha-ha! You are sooooo right :-) I'll see if I can broach that one with her.
Form the sounds of it (and she hasn't stopped yapping about it since she started - which is a nice side-effect from the usual grunting teen) it seems she is bringing in some of her vast knowledge of various equipment from computers and their various operating systems to mobile phones.
And even for one guy who was having trouble with a charger she did at least apologise to him for having to ask the obvious such as had he switched on the power!
On the other hand, she has already adopted a worrying tendancy to preserve the company's assets by doubting some returns which left one woman fleeing the store in tears. I'm not sure I could do that.
All very surprising stuff from a girl who although with excellent confidence in some areas in other areas couldn't make a telephone enquiry or ask a shop assistant a question! - MrsDoF said...
-
You have reminded me about the time when youngest son broke the town teenager curfew, so we received a call in the darkness from the police station saying that a parent had to come pick him up.
His dad decided that his punishment would be no driving for two weeks, which seemed reasonable considering that his trouble was for being out in the car too long.
The next day, when his friend wanted to come over and didn't have a ride, our son comes into the kitchen and asks if I would go get the other guy. I said I had stuff on the stove, I didn't want to be going out just then. But I said he could use my car, parked in the driveway with a full tank of fuel.
Um, no, he was not to be driving.
So, who was getting the punishment? This mother, who heaved a huge sigh of relief when he passed his driving test.
I marched downstairs to my Mister's office and said that I didn't like the punishment of no driving for breaking curfew. So then dad said I should figure out what's fair.
I sent the son off to fetch his friend, then said he would be doing something else about being out too late.
What I set him to doing was cleaning the bathroom, a chore he especially cannot stand.
He plays the guitar and wants to keep the callouses on the pads of his fingers.
Cleaning the shower and sink means having his hands in water for awhile. Even with gloves, he says doing such tasks are not good for being with his instrument.
We've been fairly lucky with the sons and their jobs. They usually ride their bicycles or even walk. Sometimes there is sharing of the car, but very few needs for a chauffeur.
I can see that you do want to make use of the early time for getting a few errands done, especially after thawing out the car. - Ally said...
-
You made me smile with this, remembering the hell I put my mother through getting her to take me to my first ever job :).
- dog1net said...
-
Doris,
Enjoyed reading about your daughter's rite of passage. My daughter worked at a sea shell shop in Pismo Beach, CA just before going off to college this fall. When I was visiting, she asked me to stop by where she worked so that we could go and get something to eat after. While waiting for her shift to end, a customer came into the store and started looking at the display of conk shells. After a few minutes, the customer picked up a couple of the shells and then looked at my daughter. "What's the difference between the $20 shell and the $40 dollar one?" he asked. My daughter answered very matter of factly, "The sound of the ocean." He purchased the $40 dollar shell. As always, I enjoy your posts, and never have a disappointing visit.
Scot - Writer Mom said...
-
Mrsdof, I think I need to take up the guitar. Your son's got a brilliant excuse. Maybe I could say I don't want to ruin my typing callouses. I hate cleaning the bathroom.
Doris! What's the definition of "spotty"? :)
And I thought things would get easier once the boy child finally mastered potty training. Not really, huh? Aw, well. I'll sleep when I'm dead, I guess. - ella m. said...
-
I worked a lot of customer service jobs when I was a teen and I was neither spotty, nor unknowing of our products.
We sold ultra high end clothing and accesories. I knew every thing from designer bios to stitching types used for of each seam of every single piece we sold.
I coveted all of them despearately, so took to using minor technical details to choose which one to blow my hard earned money on.
I had a very non nonsense mom. If I was old enough to have a job, I was old enough to figure out how to get there despite not having a licence.
I became very familiar with the buses and taxicabs rather quickly. :D - doris said...
-
It was great to read all your stories. They tickled me when I read them on the email, but I'm afraid I'm a bit wiped out to respond properly.
Big hugs all round :-) Group hug ;-)
Thursday, 17 November 2005
Sadoku
Today I picked up a free newspaper in which was my first ever Sudoku puzzle. I messed it up and thrust the paper into the trash. A quick google and I found a sheet of six Sudoku beginner puzzles to print out.
On completing the first one I realise that the pairs of puzzles were the same. Thank goodness I realised that in time! Now I've successfully completed the first (wahey!) puzzle and part way through working on the second when the penny drops. Doh. This is a page of the same six puzzles.
What chance have I when I can't even identify that I am doing the same puzzle twice.
What's even sadder is that I have better toys to play with here. Tch.
Original Comments:
On completing the first one I realise that the pairs of puzzles were the same. Thank goodness I realised that in time! Now I've successfully completed the first (wahey!) puzzle and part way through working on the second when the penny drops. Doh. This is a page of the same six puzzles.
What chance have I when I can't even identify that I am doing the same puzzle twice.
What's even sadder is that I have better toys to play with here. Tch.
Original Comments:
- Prydwen said...
-
You realise that now you have attempted you're first you will never put them down.... I'm on 10 a day, but I'm having counseling.
- Ghone said...
-
Ah... the joys of Sudoku!
Mrs Pig is an expert now.
Much to my intermediate disgust.
Yahoo do a free one every day.
I find it easier to print off and then use a pencil (with an eraser on the end) to write down your (can only be this or this number) pairs inside a square).
Have fun! - Red Mum said...
-
I sat down the first time i saw them and I have never seen a puzzle given the opener this was. Then i attempted to do it and then got distracted!
So I havent as yet been taken in by the addiction,yet! - jane said...
-
haha That's so typical of so many women's memories...myself at the top. I may as well just have 1 book because I probably wouldn't realize I'm reading it over & over.
Once I get caught up visiting blogs that I've dearly missed, I've got to look up these puzzles. (I think one will suffice)
:) - Cheryl said...
-
I like the pun in the title. :-)
- doris said...
-
Oh dear... this is an especially good link as it allows you put in maybe answers:
http://sudoku.com.au
And this is an incredibly sad activity. The most futile of puzzles but jeez they are good. Just don't do one. Not even one! - Anji said...
-
here's an on line one and you can correct yourself as you go along:
http://www.websudoku.com/ - bentley92 said...
-
They have them in the TV Guide (in the States) now but they are letters and one of the lines spells out a TV show.
- ribbiticus said...
-
haven't heard of sadoku puzzles over here. will be sure to check them out!
michele sent me today. :) - Cin said...
-
My darling father-in-law discovered those when he was in England last - I think it was the first or second day they ran in the UK papers. He came back with a full-fledged passion for them, and got my spouse hooked. Now he's gone back for another visit with the family - who knows what he'll come back with this time?
Hopefully the Harrod's afternoon tea blend :) - craziequeen said...
-
Hi Doris
luckily I have not been tempted by sudoku yet - but then I am crap with numbers so I doubt I would be in fear of addiction. I did try one, but gave up in frustration after putting two numbers in [lol]
watch out, there are some dosgy chinese porn spammers who look for the word sudoku - I think it was mar who got spammed - nasty people.
'tis a cold and frosty morning here in Gloucestershire!
cq - Minerva said...
-
I really enjoy them too but like doing them interactively online...
Try The Times on line or Lovatts...
Lovatts even tell you when you have one line right..very encouraging!
Minerva - Helen said...
-
I don't know what these are. I must be a little out of touch. I'll stick to the jigsaws!
Peace........... - Writer Mom said...
-
My brother just posted on this.
http://jamoker.blogspot.com/2005/11/soduko.html
I ignored the suggestion when he said how addictive it is.
I am trying to resist! - doris said...
-
Anji said www.websudoku.com which I think is so blinkin' fantastic I have to make it as a clickable link here for starters!
Tuesday, 15 November 2005
The will to live
Reading Gill Hicks' memories of the 7 July London bombings I am struck by 
her intense desire to survive. Both her legs were blown off and in the end she lost 75% of her blood. She should have died but she didn't.
Reading her account is moving. She describes her feelings and the extreme situation she was in. Voices in her head were lulling her to close her eyes and sleep as that would be so much easier but other voices in her head told her that if she did that she would die. Something inside her knew that she had to stay awake and keep her eyes open for when the rescuers finally came.
And then recently she and some of her rescuers met up again and that is poignant to read.
People around her were killed. Reading her story makes me wonder how she was able to keep going in her mind and also gives me hope that despite terrible physical trauma one can survive. What an incredible will to live.
That is not to say that others around her who were at first alive did not have sufficient will to live. And I don't think she has to do or achieve anything apart from be happy just because she did live. I sense a touch of survivor guilt from her. Hers is a wonderful and incredible story and I hope she has many happy years ahead.
Original Comments:
her intense desire to survive. Both her legs were blown off and in the end she lost 75% of her blood. She should have died but she didn't.Reading her account is moving. She describes her feelings and the extreme situation she was in. Voices in her head were lulling her to close her eyes and sleep as that would be so much easier but other voices in her head told her that if she did that she would die. Something inside her knew that she had to stay awake and keep her eyes open for when the rescuers finally came.
And then recently she and some of her rescuers met up again and that is poignant to read.
People around her were killed. Reading her story makes me wonder how she was able to keep going in her mind and also gives me hope that despite terrible physical trauma one can survive. What an incredible will to live.
That is not to say that others around her who were at first alive did not have sufficient will to live. And I don't think she has to do or achieve anything apart from be happy just because she did live. I sense a touch of survivor guilt from her. Hers is a wonderful and incredible story and I hope she has many happy years ahead.
Original Comments:
- Universal Soldier said...
-
A friend of mine was recently badly wounded in Iraq - someone else in the vehicle died. I've yet to go and meet him - he's still not up to visitors. But all the reports we get about how he is getting on say the same things. It's amazing what a positive mental attitude can achieve.
- Gary said...
-
"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."
Franklin P. Jones
A very brave lady. - Cheryl said...
-
Inspiring.
Honestly stuck for any more words than that. Flip. - Jo said...
-
Yes it's just so hard to find words isn't it? I think experiences like this lie beyond our conscious ability to comprehend, until of course they happen to us. Maybe that's a limitation of our little minds, or a safety mechanism that stops us even begin to try and imagine the pain, the trauma, the shock until we have absolutely no choice. All those poor people who lost their lives or who were terribly injured by these poor sick embittered bombers would the day before have lined up with all the rest of us to voice their incomprehension at this kind of thing, I dare say.
Then of course it happened to them , though they could never have dreamed it would -as we could never dream that it will happen to us. And having happened, this terrible line is drawn between those who cannot imagine such a thing, and those who no longer need to try.
My heart goes out to Gill. And to all the others who are touched by such barbarism - in London, Madrid, Baghdad (where unreported carnage and stories every bit as bad as Gill's or much worse are literaly every day events), Kabul, Bali...wherever...
:-( - Anji said...
-
Like you said, an incredible story
- Ally said...
-
She sounds an extraordinary woman.
- doris said...
-
Ally I agree and disagree with you! :-) She is extraordinary for what she has survived through but otherwise I am of the opinion that she is just like any one of us and any of us could have that capacity to survive. (I'm very glad not to be tested in quite that way.)
Anji and Cheryl Indeed. Like Cheryl says, words just can not do it justice.
Jo Hi! You are back :-) Tis true, these are the experiences of a white western woman fortunate to have the support we have here. Though she had to wait for help and wondered if it would ever come, it did. But maybe too late for some of the others. How terrible to think what it is must be like for places where they don't have the same rescue infrastructure or aftercare support.
Gary Interesting quote. Part of me wants mega badges and medals and acknowledgement to say I was brave at whatever, but the other part quite agrees with the quote.
Universal Soldier It just goes to show how strong we can be and that strength lays in the mind and not necessarily the body. - Minerva said...
-
That was an incredibly powerful story and her passion and commitment to living come over so strongly.
I am in awe,
Minerva - Cheryl said...
-
I missed the program!
It was on last night.
Dang, darn, dash, grrr. Was it as wonderful as the article? - doris said...
-
The program left me in tears!
It ended with the two policeman meeting with Gill. Few words, no sentimentality, just hugs but powerful. She was standing on her prosthetic legs.
Only fractions of her story were told so I was glad to have read it first. And the programme was not about her but a whole raft of the rescuers. Gill's story was a thread that started part way through and was interwoven.
What got me was the overall message. One could be left feeling quite negative and what was the point of anything in life but instead it was rather inspiring and positive to make the most of every moment.
If you ever get the chance to watch a repeat it is worth it.
Monday, 14 November 2005
Last night....
.... me and Mr Doris danced the night away....
....wwwwwwwww....
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWW* *WWWWWWWWWWWWWW* *WWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWW x WWWWWWWWWWWW x WWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWw wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
wWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWw
wWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWw
*WWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWW*
*WWWWWW *WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW* WWWWWW*
*WWWWWW *WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW* WWWWWW*
*WWWWWWw *WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW* wWWWWWW*
*WWWWWWWw *WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW* wWWWWWWW*
*WWWWWWWWw *WWWWWWWWWWW* wWWWWWWWW*
*WWWWWWWWw wWWWWWWWW*
*WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW*
""wwwwwwwww""
Original Comments:
- Le laquet said...
-
Lovely! I love dancing!
- Cheryl said...
-
Were you glam? Did you sparkle?
By the graphic I guess you had a lovely night?
:-D - birdychirp said...
-
oh how lovely! Organised dancing, or dancing in the lounge?
- doris said...
-
I looked OK ..... dressed up but Mr Doris was in a tux and looked the part. And he danced more than all the other guys put together! They are such wimps but my geek of a hubby can really be a surprise. He held me close and danced. Fast and slow we did it all! It was so lovely that words can not do it justice.
- doris said...
-
It was a wedding reception and although it was a "black tie" do it was to be followed by a disco. A disco and not even a dance! So as you can imagine..... no-one wants to dance but trust rent-a-dance :-) I should hire myself and Mr Doris out :-) Me, because I am the motivating one and Mr Doris because he is extremely obliging.
- Ghone said...
-
Ah bless!
Glad to hear you had a such a cool time.
:o) - Jo said...
-
What a fab night Doris! I adore dancing and can always be relied upon to be on that dance floor embarassing my children.
I bet you did look fab hon!
:-) - Milt Bogs said...
-
You kept that a bit quiet Doris!
We could all have come along. And I could have brought Raul along. He's got a silver medal and he's going for his gold now - or so he says. - jane said...
-
lol that's adorable
- Badaunt said...
-
Ooh, how lovely. The only dancing The Man and I have ever done (besides around the kitchen in the occasional fit of joy) is Obon dancing, the traditional Japanese dance at Obon festivals. When everybody else went RIGHT I went LEFT. It's not quite the same.
Oh, and dancing at Okinawan music concerts, where you can't help it. But none of our dancing is romantic. (Well, except in the kitchen, sometimes, but it's not the same. :-)
Saturday, 12 November 2005
Help with packing?
Nice guy at the supermarket checkout always asks me if I would like help with my 
packing. I always nicely say "No thanks, I'm fine" and he always proceeds to whizz the items through as fast as he can and does not regulate the speed of the conveyor belt at my end.
Other shop assistants can manage this feat of doing their job efficiently whilst keeping an eye out for the packer and slowing or stopping the conveyor belt occasionally. Does he do it on purpose because I have refused help?
A small detail but it would make all the difference. (And you can keep your 5p off fuel coupons as there aren't any suitable petrol stations for miles in which to use them!)
Original Comments:
packing. I always nicely say "No thanks, I'm fine" and he always proceeds to whizz the items through as fast as he can and does not regulate the speed of the conveyor belt at my end.Other shop assistants can manage this feat of doing their job efficiently whilst keeping an eye out for the packer and slowing or stopping the conveyor belt occasionally. Does he do it on purpose because I have refused help?
A small detail but it would make all the difference. (And you can keep your 5p off fuel coupons as there aren't any suitable petrol stations for miles in which to use them!)
Original Comments:
- Cheryl said...
-
Oh I hate that.
Its - would you like my friend to make sure your strawberries are squashed and your bread is triangular by the time you get home, or would you like me to pummel your knockles with tins and make sure you have no room to pack things your own way?
Husb' hates this, but I put all my shopping on the conveyor in order - tins first, all the freezer stuff together, all the cleaners together, fruit & veg near the back and bread and biscuits last. That way the things they are flinging at me get progressively lighter, plus theres no thinking to do whilst I ram things into bags.
Empathy!!!! - Prydwen said...
-
I always set my shopping up on the conveyor colds, tins&jars, vegetables, and fragiles.
This way I can pack them the way I want and at my speed. But you always find the guy on the counter deliberatly taking things out of order just to screw me up like some sick game...... - Cheryl said...
-
ROFL!!!
I declare a thumb war!
It seems the ideas, like the kids, are mine only until they make him look good................
MUahahahahaha 100 million Brownie points to me
Chuckle snigger cough! - doris said...
-
LOL I do the organising thing too - which is how I can pack so fast. As you say, all the thinking is already done.
But then the bugger takes stuff out of order, and I get that too when my "knockles" are pummeled by the cans! ;-)
Ahem... I detect a family war here.... it's wonderful when husbands and wives both have blogs and then simultaneously reply to posts and then contradict themselves! I hope you two are grinning at each other over your monitors. - Cheryl said...
-
We have reached a truce - we only argue over which order to put things in. It involves him slamming things on the belt and me shifting them again - or vice versa.
It does mean the kids get out from under and go sit on the store windowledge without complaint!
Still chuckling and thank you SO much for pointing out the typo.....
LMFAO - rashbre said...
-
I pile everything into any bag and then race home before it all has a chance to leak or defrost. Seems to work except when the oranges taste of shoe polish.
The worst thing is getting the plastic bags open. I'm sure theres a technique but its different for every supermarket chain. I'm the one in front of you with 47 items slithering over the edge of the belt still trying to get the first bag open.
Technologically, all they need to do is make the bag edges have an inset, so the plastic is not exactly aligned. Only Sainsbury's seem to have cracked this - I shall suggest it to Tetra/Rexam or whoever.
rashbre - MrsDoF said...
-
Oldest son's first timeclock job was to be a bagboy. He got real good at packing items which go together.
That store still has folks who do the bagging, which might seem a service very out-dated, but I do like knowing that there's a place where youngsters can learn some responsibility and how to treat customers.
It's enough for me that I have to get it all home and either put away or cooked for supper. - doris said...
-
In the UK the people who pack bags are one of the staff - they no longer employ young people to do this due to all our employment laws.
The end result, I feel, is that staff feel it is beneath them to pack bags and so it is done in a casual and careless manner.
The trouble lays with the UK's attitude to the service industries and the darned class and heirarchy and lack of pride in whatever one does. - Le laquet said...
-
I always make sure I go to the little white haired lady, she can't chuck the shopping through as quickly! *runs away to avoid the backlash from little white haired ladies she knows is coming*
- craziequeen said...
-
I have noticed that - if you refuse their well-meaning help (yeah, right - like I want someone else to break my eggs!) then the stuff comes at you like a gatling gun....
Free the Customer is what I say....
cq - Anji said...
-
We don't ever get help with packing here. Family, when they are around to help, will always put tins on top of the bananas.(they inherit it from their father)
- Minerva said...
-
I have trained my three kids now to do the shopping perfectly. One has the list, one the trolley and one fetches stuff. When we get to the belt, one goes to start the bagging, one puts the stuff on the conveyor and one packs the trolley...EASY!
And so I have a really relaxed shop, loads of praise from the assistant who can't muck things up, and the girls have fun too..!!
Do I get an award?
*sickening pious grin*
Minerva - Karen said...
-
lol - I alway try to have a race with them.
- R. Edmondson said...
-
Let him help you and see if still happens - then you will definitely know:)
Later. - Sarah said...
-
I always organise my shopping on the conveyer belt and of course it has to be heaviest first. I pack things into the bag by cupboard too so when I get home I put each bag by the cupboard/fridge it goes in. my hubby thinks its just one of my little ways, I can point out to him now I'm not the only one!
I am currently training my little boy to pack like Mummy to avoid problems later lol!
As for the speed it gets flung at you...well, I always think next time I will fling all my shopping at the cashier and see if he/she can scan it through as quick as I'm flinging it at them. I never actually remember though which is probably a good thing lol! - Sparkling said...
-
I'll take your money off vouchers off your hands. I collect the 5p of liter of petrol, sports for schools and anything else they throw our way.
As for the organising the conveyer belt, I let my partner deal with that. I tried interfering in the way the trolley was packed, and how it went on the conveyer belt, and in the bags, but now i just swipe my credit card. Less discussion when I get the combination wrong.
Can someone tell me which is the correct category for flour?
Thursday, 10 November 2005
Humming along
I love it when someone hums along to a tune. It gives me the feeling that they are happy and enjoying the tune so much that they want to join in. And then there are the memories or attachments they have for the tune which must be good if they acknowledge it in that way. And when you've been living with someone for quite a while the only way you find out such things is when they hum along.
A tune I have fallen in love with is Electric Light Orchestra's Mr Blue Sky which features on a recent M&S advert. Everytime that ad comes on Mr Doris hums or sings away perfectly in tune. It is so cheerful and happy and when he joins in it is like a big warm huggle.
At one point I asked him about my humming and how it sounded to him and if it was in tune and unsurprisingly he gave me one of his diplomatically positive answers and told me I had a singular style! Meaning my voice is awful and out of tune.
Over the years I have had singing lessons as I would love to sing in tune and beautifully. At one point in my twenties when I sought out yet another singing class I somehow found myself as a member of a Black Gospel Choir. I really was looking for the singing lessons and sure enough in the adult education leaflets it was billed as singing lessons but in reality it was a fully fledged choir.
Despite my continued protestations that I was looking for the singing class I was absorbed into this choir with some magnificent singers. Me, the sole white person with a terrible voice. I even did a few coach trips with them to different venues in the UK and I still don't know why I didn't get found out. After all I did stand out somewhat. To this day I can't hear Donna Summer's version of State of independence without standing tall and wanting to throw back my head and sing out loud with a big smile on my face. But I don't. At least in a choir you can follow the others and keep in tune... on my own I'm like a fish out of water. It still makes me chuckle to think I even did it.
Original Comments:
A tune I have fallen in love with is Electric Light Orchestra's Mr Blue Sky which features on a recent M&S advert. Everytime that ad comes on Mr Doris hums or sings away perfectly in tune. It is so cheerful and happy and when he joins in it is like a big warm huggle.
At one point I asked him about my humming and how it sounded to him and if it was in tune and unsurprisingly he gave me one of his diplomatically positive answers and told me I had a singular style! Meaning my voice is awful and out of tune.
Over the years I have had singing lessons as I would love to sing in tune and beautifully. At one point in my twenties when I sought out yet another singing class I somehow found myself as a member of a Black Gospel Choir. I really was looking for the singing lessons and sure enough in the adult education leaflets it was billed as singing lessons but in reality it was a fully fledged choir.
Despite my continued protestations that I was looking for the singing class I was absorbed into this choir with some magnificent singers. Me, the sole white person with a terrible voice. I even did a few coach trips with them to different venues in the UK and I still don't know why I didn't get found out. After all I did stand out somewhat. To this day I can't hear Donna Summer's version of State of independence without standing tall and wanting to throw back my head and sing out loud with a big smile on my face. But I don't. At least in a choir you can follow the others and keep in tune... on my own I'm like a fish out of water. It still makes me chuckle to think I even did it.
Original Comments:
- Cheryl said...
-
Hey you with the pretty face - welcome to the human race!
Gonna pom-ti-pom all the way to school now :-D - Hannah said...
-
Good for you! :) Singing is good for the soul.
- Le laquet said...
-
Oooh, which to sing first? ELO or Donna ...
"This truth will abound the land
The state of independence shall be!"
That was a close one!! - Annie said...
-
I love singing too. A friend of mine was teaching me to sing. I got the tape out recently and played it to the boys and it was so embarrassing! At the time I thought I sounded really good. I was singing Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell. I would love to be able to sing properly.
- Sarah said...
-
I bet that was a great experience though to be part of the gospel choir!
I have a similar problem with the singing!
My darling hubby thinks it is hilarious to stop the cd in the car just as I'm really singing my heart out to it. Unfortunately without the CD at full volume to hide it my voice sounds very much like a cat being strangled lol. Luckily for him I see the funny side of it! - Anji said...
-
Funnily enough the same song is being used for a directory inquiries ad over here. I like to sing, when I was teaching children English we did a lot of singing, I really miss it.
- /T/ said...
-
I love Mr.Blue Sky.. But you make me feel so old now. I remember that song from when I was young and couldn't get enough of it. And eventhough I didn't speak english at the time I sure was able to hum along.
Now I wish we had that commercial here. - Red Mum said...
-
Ah Doris, loud and proud, altogether now (in the words of The Beatles)
"The State of Independence shall be, the state of independence shall be..."
Thats all I can remember on this Friday morning. - doris said...
-
LOL You know I am grinning Red Mum!
- Host of Spirits said...
-
I totally sympathise ... I once owned a pub and didn't need to ring the bell at closing ... all I had to do was break into song to empty the pub
Honest - I'm not kidding - fineartist said...
-
Singing can bring so much joy to people. Looks like in our cases it can bring joy to us, if not everyone else, well, at least that’s something. He heh.
My sister once described my and her singing voices as such, “Our voices aren’t particularly offensive, they just aren’t something anyone would choose to listen to again.” Our family is extremely talented in the voice department it was difficult growing up as the only two frogs in a bunch of real crooners.
I loved this post Doris, and I can see you singing it loud and singing it proud, in your choir of voices. - decrepitoldfool said...
-
I loved Mr. Blue Sky too. And you just keep on singing!!! Even if you are as out-of-tune as you think you are (which I doubt very much).
Sadly, we compare ourselves to professional singers delivered in recordings, so we sing less, so we sing less well. Break the cycle!
Wednesday, 9 November 2005
Brussels on a stick
For my Christmas Dinner I want brussel sprouts on a stick. Not in a net bag from the 
supermarket but cleverly packaged onto a monstrous stick fresh from an organic farm.
We had one delivered in our organic veg box last week and I had forgotten that sprouts grew like that. And they weren't regimental in size. It was fun cutting them off their dinosaur limb, preparing them, sizing them up and putting the smaller ones in after the larger ones had started cooking.
Cooked in just enough water, drained and tossed in organic butter. Yum, yum although still an acquired taste.
Original Comments:
supermarket but cleverly packaged onto a monstrous stick fresh from an organic farm.We had one delivered in our organic veg box last week and I had forgotten that sprouts grew like that. And they weren't regimental in size. It was fun cutting them off their dinosaur limb, preparing them, sizing them up and putting the smaller ones in after the larger ones had started cooking.
Cooked in just enough water, drained and tossed in organic butter. Yum, yum although still an acquired taste.
Original Comments:
- Cheryl said...
- You need an allotment!
:-D
- doris said...
- LOL You are probably right!
- jane said...
- I had no idea brussels grew like that. Are they also called 'brussel sprouts'? That's all I've heard of here, so I'm assuming they're the same thing. They sound delicious.
- Ally said...
- I LURVE brussel sprouts and I want an allotment, too. I've had the papers to apply for about year and what with one thing and another haven't got round to it ...
- Astryngia said...
- When we moved to our new rural location, I kept seeing these things stacked up against the village shop wall. I'd never seen them before in my life and had no idea until I got up close that they were brussels sprouts. I'm always amazed to discover the most obvious things that I've never before come across. I love your illustrations, you always find perfection to share with us!
- MrsDoF said...
- I must have acquired the taste as a small child when my pappap was growing them in the garden. I do love brussel sprouts, and want some like that again. Your picture and description brought back so many fine memories of my little girl mind.
- Library Lady said...
- They are called "brussels" or "brussel sprouts" and they are the same thing. Yes, they really grow that way.
Most of the sprouts we get in the US are horrid, because from everything I've read about them, sprouts need cold weather to really develop their flavor--in fact it is best to pick them AFTER a frost! But most of ours here are grown in sunny California, so they don't get that lovely flavor.
Here in the US we don't have the sort of system of allotment gardens the UK has, but a lot of communities DO have community gardens. I have a plot that measures about 200 square feet, and I have always wanted to try growing brussels. They look like weird little palm trees. One of these years, I'll get around to it...
- mrshellonheels said...
- I loooove brussel sprouts. Haven't had them in ages. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and they will be on the table this year : )
- Annie said...
- Brussel sprouts are one thing I can't stomach. I have to swallow them whole if I have to eat them. My Mum still kept giving them to me until I was in my mid-thirties! I used to give them to my brother. I've seen them on the sticks locally. We have a lot of farmer's markets and stuff here.
- Host of Spirits said...
- Sprouts are soooo easy to grow - just shove the seed in the ground and wait - actually most veg are that easy to grow
Just wish I had the space - sigh - all I have is a postage stamp sized back garden.
- Milt Bogs said...
- It all sounds vaguely obscene to me Doris. Monstrous sticks of organic produce, tossed in organic butter. :o
- doris said...
- Milt Trust you to lower the tone!!!! LOL
I seem to be learning a lot here in these comments. Quite an education :-)
- Anji said...
- I lived in a region of the midlands where there was a lot of sprout growing. You wouldn't appreciate them so much when the ones left in the fields start to go off!
- Uncle Pavian said...
- Brussel sprouts do look funny when they're coming up in the garden, but you should try planting okra some time.
Incidentally, the Germans refer to them as rosenkohl, or "rose cabbage", and cook them with a cream sauce flavored with nutmeg.
Yum.
- birdychirp said...
- Sprouts are wonderful - apparently great served with parmesan and chilli
- Writer Mom said...
- They are probably delicious when not served water logged and burnt, right? That's just how U.S. mothers frustrated with their children cook them up? Or just MY mom?
We also dump a lot of cheddar cheese on them over here.
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Hope you're continuing with the recovery Gran. My little chinese dentist wanted to relieve me of something or other. I refused as politely as I could. I suspect she was only after my money.
Fancy your forebears being from Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 2:08:00 PM
Feel better soon!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 2:40:00 PM
Dental work and Mooncuppery. What a week!
You're doing well! Better than I would, for sure.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 6:49:00 PM
Oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I can't wait to hear how it goes with your Mooncup!
I'm glad you're recovering more quickly. I know how the dentist scares you, you've been such a very brave soul.
Thursday, December 01, 2005 6:26:00 AM
Hope that you are having a good rest. Good luck with the mooncup!
Thursday, December 01, 2005 10:54:00 AM
Are ya still healing?
Next time, come over to the states. Dental Hubby will fix you up very gently.
("Next time???")
Thursday, December 01, 2005 11:02:00 PM
I hope you are allright now?
God bless.
Friday, December 02, 2005 5:16:00 PM
Hope you're feeling better now. Why are dentists so much scarier than doctors?
Saturday, December 03, 2005 3:39:00 PM
Hope you are feeling better! Thanks for visiting me.
Sunday, December 04, 2005 4:13:00 PM
I've been known to throw a tantrum that will rival any the kids. Mightily embarrassing.
Oh for an understanding hubby. I usually get told off for being-a-brat by my 'better' half.
(And still having dentist probs I see, hope it's all over)
Sunday, December 04, 2005 4:22:00 PM
Yoo-hooo! Thank you for your encouraging and lovely comments. I have been up to my eyes but oh what a wonderful week. It is so good when everything seems to be coming up roses, especially for others who I have tried hard to help out with. Nice to know it is making a difference.
My mouth is on the mend - nothing like last time - but have a few twinges and hope it is nothing more. I had just a little rest the day after but since then have been non-stop. Sometimes it would be nice for the roller coaster to stop and for everyone to leave the fair for a few days. Ah well, I probably wouldn't want it any other way :-)
Sunday, December 04, 2005 6:59:00 PM
oh sounds so painful - teethwise. I hope they get better soon.
Mooncup; my back doesn't move well enough. But great plan though!
Sunday, December 04, 2005 9:11:00 PM
I admire how well you are coping with it. I was a bag of nerves just having a small filling a few weeks ago. Hope you feel totally better soon. *Hugs*
Wednesday, December 07, 2005 11:32:00 AM
Extractions are never fun. I had my wisdom tooth pulled a couple of weeks ago, and I'm glad I'm all the better for it. Good to hear you fared well. As to the "mooncup?" Well, that's entirely different matter.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005 12:09:00 AM