Someone, namely Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches Trashy Novels; http://www.smartbitchestrashynovel.com/ a great place to read romance novel reviews, and I mean really trashy novel reviews ... they do boast this ... so obv, it's meant as a complement, 'All of the Romance... None of the Bullshit' [their tag not mine] 'A website that reviews romance novels from a couple of smart bitches who will always give it to you straight', wanted to know what to eat when going out to sample Turkish dinging.
Playing it safe ...
Starters ~ Mezzes; small portions of spicy minced vegetables, yoghurty/minty dips, stuffed tomatoes, Russian salad [70's I know but yummy] aubergine & beans, stuffed vine leaves, lots of beany things Gillian Mckeith says is good for you but cleverly disguised in tomato [y?] sauces, fishy dishes. You usually select the amount and the variation ... eat with hot thin seed covered pizza-pitta-type bread which I have totally forgotten the name of.
Main:
Shish Kofte ~ Minced lamb prepared with a variety of spices, skewered & cooked on the charcoal grill or
served as meat balls; minced lamb in hot [temp] hot [spicy], tomato [y?] sauce.
Chicken Kebab Specially prepared cubes of seasoned Chicken - served with creamy rice [they must put Carnation cream in it or something] ... mmm ... and Shepherds salad [lettuce, cucumber, tomato, mint].
Try the lamb or chicken which is cooked in a tall oval pot in large oven with bread as a stopper ... try, try , try, its fabulous.
Dessert:
Never really seen a cake in Turkey - but melon is offered after every meal.
Enjoy supper, Jill
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Monday 22 August 2011
All Steamed Up ...
Thank you 'Daughter' [planning ahead and making sure she's not in distress], for your question about choosing a steam iron.
First, absolutely super to hear you actually want to iron your own clothes whilst you're at Uni [old fashioned concept I know, but sometimes necessary] - and not just save them up for your mum's visit or reading week.
To answer your question [and believe me, having 4 teenagers, I've motored through a few irons on extreme ironing days], the type of steam iron with the water tank in the separate base are easily the best. They're usually a bit more expensive but well worth it. [Why not surprise your parents and ask for one for your birthday?] Try this Morphy Richards steam iron - I paid around £69 from Comet a few months ago and it's still going strong. And you must all know how I like multi-tasking - you get a Full Steam Facial every time !!
- Quick to heat up.
- No arm-ache. The iron is lightweight [cos the water is in the base of course].
- Super steaming saves time as the steam eases out difficult areas without extreme ironing.
- Super steam means you don't have to press on or repress the garment a billion times.
- Super steam means you can glide over the garment with super-speed - more time in the pub.
- Super steam means you can steam garment on the hanger - no ironing board necessary.
- Super steam means you get a facial at the same time [multi-tasking the way I like it]
Jill
Saturday 20 August 2011
Shopping Challenge ... Are YOU up to it ?
I imagine challenges are supposed to be difficult ... but here's a really easy one:
For One Month ... promise not to buy even One item of Clothing !
No excuses ...
Search your wardrobe ... wear clothes, shoes, jewellery, accessories that you haven't worn for ages ... and ages ... and ...
After One Month ... Assess which clothes you Really Honestly didn't enjoy wearing / didn't fit properly.
If you find favourites which need repairing or cleaning, get on with it.
Then ... and only then ... you could sell the seriously unwanted clothes ... to 2nd hand shop, ebay or car-boot.
[The items you don't sell, take to a charity shop]
The money from the items you do sell ... allow yourself to buy only 1 piece of clothing. The rest of the money, you save.
Great Plan? Try it out. Let me know how you get on ...
Jill
For One Month ... promise not to buy even One item of Clothing !
No excuses ...
Search your wardrobe ... wear clothes, shoes, jewellery, accessories that you haven't worn for ages ... and ages ... and ...
After One Month ... Assess which clothes you Really Honestly didn't enjoy wearing / didn't fit properly.
If you find favourites which need repairing or cleaning, get on with it.
Then ... and only then ... you could sell the seriously unwanted clothes ... to 2nd hand shop, ebay or car-boot.
[The items you don't sell, take to a charity shop]
The money from the items you do sell ... allow yourself to buy only 1 piece of clothing. The rest of the money, you save.
Great Plan? Try it out. Let me know how you get on ...
Jill
Friday 19 August 2011
Write yourself healthy ...
Write yourself to a Healthier Lifestyle …
How can words help you towards a healthier lifestyle?
It is becoming increasingly accepted that the process of writing helps the individual organise problematic thoughts and experiences which might lead to an improvement in their mental health or emotional well-being.
Writing can aid the chaos in our lives by discovering meaning. For instance, remembering the past might help us understand how we feel. Through writing we could learn to recognise our courage and erect new lifestyle plans. Writing can give us a sense of release and help relieve internal stress.
‘That’s a bit heavy’, I hear you say but most of it has been seen to be true. I’m not talking of writing essays, a white paper or a two thousand word report on Millennium consumer trends. I’m talking of jotting down a few words, in any form, at any time, when you feel like it.
Do you feel as though your mind is cluttered with things to do?
Do you find you wear yourself out thinking too much? Are you anxious about that unfinished project at work? Too befuddled to help the children with their homework? Are messages racing like a motorway police chase or spinning like fast wash-load in your brain?
To clear your mind so that you can concentrate on your main goals, interviews, exams, work related problems, relationships, here are some simple ideas to get you started:
Take a power nap, relaxing bath, glass of wine. Or all three if you are over eighteen. Then, take a pen or pencil and a blank page, a little black book, an old school jotter, stiff hard back, patterned folder or hand-decorated textured paged extravaganza ... any sort or writing space will do …
Find a favourite place ~ hopefully, this will be somewhere quiet.
Open your book
Write pretty fast and furiously …
Or just doodle if you want …
Write for five or ten minutes to begin with.
Let your thoughts flow onto the page ~ initial thoughts are usually spontaneous, even daring. Fill the page[s] with these thoughts. Repeat thoughts if necessary. Underline them. Circle them. Cross them out. It’s up to you.
Write non-stop about any topic or feeling that comes into your mind no matter how silly or serious. Let your mind wander ... Let your emotions or mood out onto the page.
Write in huge letters, small letters, be messy ... Scream from the tip of your pen.
If you can't think what to write, write just that!
What was the best / worst thing that happened today?
Write about happy incidents, fearful moments, smiles, tears and frustrations …
Write about an incident which included you, how you felt about it – remember you are moving things out of your mind into a neutral space.
Keep writing until your allotted time is up.
This is your Journal. A journal is about emotions whereas a diary is about dates and times. But Yes, write it everyday if you can. Day or night. Some people prefer to empty their minds before they go to bed insisting the action clears their mind for sleep. You don't have to share what you have written. Your writing may seem like ramblings. It doesn't matter. Now that all the surplus information milling around inside your head is on paper ~ you may feel more free. Sometimes our own writing inspires us. We might feel a sense of mastery, of liberation.
Later, you may want to go back and read some of your literary ramblings. They may make sense, they may not. You might want to note how many times you have repeated the same thing. My Journal was so full of the word `tired` and loaded with a sense of can’t cope-ness, that I immediately identified I had to do something about the day to day organisation of family, work and self which was clearly in chaos.
It’s often best to write for a few days before you read your handy-work back to yourself. Glancing over the pages will give you an idea of what is congesting your mind. Often people can recognise a pattern straightaway; topics repeating themselves; needs and wants creeping onto the page, loneliness. Let's hope you can use your journal to help you make changes, introduce new plans, enjoy settled sleep patterns, the ability to concentrate harder, feel emotionally fitter and enjoy a freedom from over-thinking.
Once we have recognised what we need to do, we need to set methods in place to change our habits. But how? We can organise ourselves through words, writing things down to make life plans easier to focus on, to follow and adhere to, especially when we are wanting to achieve a specific objective or aspire to a precise aim.
By the time you have invested a few days in you journal, given your mind a run on the jogging machine and loosened it all up, you can plan ahead.
Lifestyle Plan ~ Where do we start?
In order to create new energy and success in our lives, we need to design an image of what the next destination looks like. We need to make a map of how to get there. This may not be a long way. It may be joining a local gym, a darts club or singing group. It could be embarking on a journey or holiday alone, or applying for a job. The idea is to simplify all the problems around us in order to achieve our goal.
You could start by making a list about you. Write five words that describe you. Then with your other hand, write five more words that describe you [I know it’s difficult, writing with your opposite hand. It’s untidy but that doesn’t matter]. Doing this accesses a different area of your brain and helps to present a more creative description for you. You may find new information which empowers or at least surprises you.
Next, make a list of all the things you want or need to do no matter how great or small, physical or emotional. From visiting the Great Wall of China to sorting out a friendship dispute, write the list as quickly as you can. You can add to the list at any time later.
Once your Super-List is more-or-less complete, separate your thoughts under headings which best suit you. My friend calls this her life-map. Some ideas might include:
Necessities
Most important things
Things I need to change in my life
Things I want to achieve
Places I want to visit / experience:
My wish list
Once problems, challenges and desires are separated under your choice of headings, you can prioritise. Put them into short term, medium term or long term time scale. This relieves pressure that not everything has to be done ‘today.’ Jot notes alongside your content. Keep the list as an ongoing life plan. Act on one topic at a time. Hopefully, you will begin to plan for the future, step by step, word by word.
Gillian
Gillian Hesketh 2010
How can words help you towards a healthier lifestyle?
It is becoming increasingly accepted that the process of writing helps the individual organise problematic thoughts and experiences which might lead to an improvement in their mental health or emotional well-being.
Writing can aid the chaos in our lives by discovering meaning. For instance, remembering the past might help us understand how we feel. Through writing we could learn to recognise our courage and erect new lifestyle plans. Writing can give us a sense of release and help relieve internal stress.
‘That’s a bit heavy’, I hear you say but most of it has been seen to be true. I’m not talking of writing essays, a white paper or a two thousand word report on Millennium consumer trends. I’m talking of jotting down a few words, in any form, at any time, when you feel like it.
Do you feel as though your mind is cluttered with things to do?
Do you find you wear yourself out thinking too much? Are you anxious about that unfinished project at work? Too befuddled to help the children with their homework? Are messages racing like a motorway police chase or spinning like fast wash-load in your brain?
To clear your mind so that you can concentrate on your main goals, interviews, exams, work related problems, relationships, here are some simple ideas to get you started:
Take a power nap, relaxing bath, glass of wine. Or all three if you are over eighteen. Then, take a pen or pencil and a blank page, a little black book, an old school jotter, stiff hard back, patterned folder or hand-decorated textured paged extravaganza ... any sort or writing space will do …
Find a favourite place ~ hopefully, this will be somewhere quiet.
Open your book
Write pretty fast and furiously …
Or just doodle if you want …
Write for five or ten minutes to begin with.
Let your thoughts flow onto the page ~ initial thoughts are usually spontaneous, even daring. Fill the page[s] with these thoughts. Repeat thoughts if necessary. Underline them. Circle them. Cross them out. It’s up to you.
Write non-stop about any topic or feeling that comes into your mind no matter how silly or serious. Let your mind wander ... Let your emotions or mood out onto the page.
Write in huge letters, small letters, be messy ... Scream from the tip of your pen.
If you can't think what to write, write just that!
What was the best / worst thing that happened today?
Write about happy incidents, fearful moments, smiles, tears and frustrations …
Write about an incident which included you, how you felt about it – remember you are moving things out of your mind into a neutral space.
Keep writing until your allotted time is up.
This is your Journal. A journal is about emotions whereas a diary is about dates and times. But Yes, write it everyday if you can. Day or night. Some people prefer to empty their minds before they go to bed insisting the action clears their mind for sleep. You don't have to share what you have written. Your writing may seem like ramblings. It doesn't matter. Now that all the surplus information milling around inside your head is on paper ~ you may feel more free. Sometimes our own writing inspires us. We might feel a sense of mastery, of liberation.
Later, you may want to go back and read some of your literary ramblings. They may make sense, they may not. You might want to note how many times you have repeated the same thing. My Journal was so full of the word `tired` and loaded with a sense of can’t cope-ness, that I immediately identified I had to do something about the day to day organisation of family, work and self which was clearly in chaos.
It’s often best to write for a few days before you read your handy-work back to yourself. Glancing over the pages will give you an idea of what is congesting your mind. Often people can recognise a pattern straightaway; topics repeating themselves; needs and wants creeping onto the page, loneliness. Let's hope you can use your journal to help you make changes, introduce new plans, enjoy settled sleep patterns, the ability to concentrate harder, feel emotionally fitter and enjoy a freedom from over-thinking.
Once we have recognised what we need to do, we need to set methods in place to change our habits. But how? We can organise ourselves through words, writing things down to make life plans easier to focus on, to follow and adhere to, especially when we are wanting to achieve a specific objective or aspire to a precise aim.
By the time you have invested a few days in you journal, given your mind a run on the jogging machine and loosened it all up, you can plan ahead.
Lifestyle Plan ~ Where do we start?
In order to create new energy and success in our lives, we need to design an image of what the next destination looks like. We need to make a map of how to get there. This may not be a long way. It may be joining a local gym, a darts club or singing group. It could be embarking on a journey or holiday alone, or applying for a job. The idea is to simplify all the problems around us in order to achieve our goal.
You could start by making a list about you. Write five words that describe you. Then with your other hand, write five more words that describe you [I know it’s difficult, writing with your opposite hand. It’s untidy but that doesn’t matter]. Doing this accesses a different area of your brain and helps to present a more creative description for you. You may find new information which empowers or at least surprises you.
Next, make a list of all the things you want or need to do no matter how great or small, physical or emotional. From visiting the Great Wall of China to sorting out a friendship dispute, write the list as quickly as you can. You can add to the list at any time later.
Once your Super-List is more-or-less complete, separate your thoughts under headings which best suit you. My friend calls this her life-map. Some ideas might include:
Necessities
Most important things
Things I need to change in my life
Things I want to achieve
Places I want to visit / experience:
My wish list
Once problems, challenges and desires are separated under your choice of headings, you can prioritise. Put them into short term, medium term or long term time scale. This relieves pressure that not everything has to be done ‘today.’ Jot notes alongside your content. Keep the list as an ongoing life plan. Act on one topic at a time. Hopefully, you will begin to plan for the future, step by step, word by word.
Gillian
Gillian Hesketh 2010
Thursday 18 August 2011
Tuesday 16 August 2011
And you might like some of these ...
For winter walks through the woodlands, by the river, on the beach or just going to work in the snow ...
£17 ... probably can be found in 'Primani', let me know.
http://www.hunter-boot.com/
Still Time for a Festival ...
For a long list of any and every festival, click below:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3673389/August-Music-Festivals.html
Might see you there.
Jill
 |
| Hunter Gloss ... at ... http://www.hunter-boot.com/ |
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3673389/August-Music-Festivals.html
Might see you there.
Jill
Saturday 13 August 2011
~Stress ... ?
Apparently, if you're stressed, it means there's not enough fun in your life ...
Hmmm ... need to have a think about that ...
Jill
Hmmm ... need to have a think about that ...
Jill
Thursday 11 August 2011
Women: Love & Frivolity ... Things are hotting up ...
Things are definitely heating up ...
Women: Love & Frivolity is getting warmer ...
the laptop is over-heating ...
the ink is evaporating ...
the cover, racing through the printing system ...
We're just waiting for the ribbon ... yes ribbon ...
Watch this space ... I will be ...
Gillian
Women: Love & Frivolity is getting warmer ...
the laptop is over-heating ...
the ink is evaporating ...
the cover, racing through the printing system ...
We're just waiting for the ribbon ... yes ribbon ...
Watch this space ... I will be ...
Gillian
Wednesday 10 August 2011
Budget Planner ... I know, boring but necessary. Have a go and surprise yourself ...
DAUGHTERS IN DISTRESS:~ BUDGET PLANNER …
You Know It Makes Sense ...
Whether you want to save money or save up money, a regular budget plan helps to see where you're up to financially. Just like a diet, no cheating.Write everything down that you spend. Take it away from your income to see exactly how you can make changes to your saving and spending. You could find areas where you could cut your spending and be able to achieve something else more important. Have a go ... It's FREE !!
CHOOSE TO LIST ENTRIES EITHER: WEEKLY / MONTHLY / ANNUALLY
[*Make sure you use the same process for each entry]
INCOME:
SAVINGS:
EXPENDITURE:
MORTGAGE/RENT/BOARD
COUNCIL TAX
MAINTENANCE/CHILD
ELECTRIC
GAS
WATER
INSURANCE
TV LICENCE
LIVING & FOOD:
FOOD
CLOTHING
HAIR/HEALTH
OTHER
SOCIAL:
BIRTHDAYS/CELEBRATION
PHONE [S]
GAMING/BINGO/POKER
CLUB FEES/HOBBIES
CIGARETTES
LOTTERY
HOME:
RENEWALS
REPAIRS
DECORATION
TRANSPORT:
CAR / INS / TAX / REPAIRS
TRANSPORT
MISCELLANEOUS:
TOTAL INCOME:
LESS TOTAL OF EXPENDITURE:
= DISPOSABLE INCOME:
NOTES to SELF for CHANGES:
Oops ... I'd made lots of neat boxes for all the figures ... and they're missing ...if you'd like a copy of the real budget planner, complete with lines, boxes etc. just email me: gmhesketh@gmail.com
[*you wont' receive any other unwanted emails or messages]
Jill
You Know It Makes Sense ...
Whether you want to save money or save up money, a regular budget plan helps to see where you're up to financially. Just like a diet, no cheating.Write everything down that you spend. Take it away from your income to see exactly how you can make changes to your saving and spending. You could find areas where you could cut your spending and be able to achieve something else more important. Have a go ... It's FREE !!
CHOOSE TO LIST ENTRIES EITHER: WEEKLY / MONTHLY / ANNUALLY
[*Make sure you use the same process for each entry]
INCOME:
SAVINGS:
EXPENDITURE:
MORTGAGE/RENT/BOARD
COUNCIL TAX
MAINTENANCE/CHILD
ELECTRIC
GAS
WATER
INSURANCE
TV LICENCE
LIVING & FOOD:
FOOD
CLOTHING
HAIR/HEALTH
OTHER
SOCIAL:
BIRTHDAYS/CELEBRATION
PHONE [S]
GAMING/BINGO/POKER
CLUB FEES/HOBBIES
CIGARETTES
LOTTERY
HOME:
RENEWALS
REPAIRS
DECORATION
TRANSPORT:
CAR / INS / TAX / REPAIRS
TRANSPORT
MISCELLANEOUS:
TOTAL INCOME:
LESS TOTAL OF EXPENDITURE:
= DISPOSABLE INCOME:
NOTES to SELF for CHANGES:
Oops ... I'd made lots of neat boxes for all the figures ... and they're missing ...if you'd like a copy of the real budget planner, complete with lines, boxes etc. just email me: gmhesketh@gmail.com
[*you wont' receive any other unwanted emails or messages]
Jill
And now for Something Completely Glamorous ...
I'm biased obv...
 |
| Oooh guess who I spotted in Grazia the other day ... ? |
Social Stereotypes ...
Social Sterotype - just for fun: The Mature Student.
Pleased with her recent assignment and bibliography intact, Joanne relinquished it almost a week early, accepting the slip of flimsy pink paper which would confirm its whereabouts for the following six weeks. Postcolonial readings of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness managed to uncover more than a sufficient understanding of European nineteenth Century colonialism that Joanne had never, ever considered thinking about. A mature student, Joanne’s many commitments bargaining for her time, the hours and hours required for reading around subjects took the place of her friendships, an occasional night in the pub, even the ironing. Evaluating her efforts constantly, expecting to achieve only decent results, she promised she wouldn’t be dissatisfied with them.
Wanting to be as inconspicuous as visually possible, she adjusted her attire, choosing denims, flat pumps and chose from an assortment of plain tops from the high street. Her outerwear would have to be tamed too, nothing too ostentatious. Joanne blended with her colleagues, although she drew the line at riding a bike to the Uni campus. No, the people carrier would have to do. Besides, driving her three children to school before lectures was just part of her day.
Joanne was looking forward to her next module; Myth & Legend. An introduction to relentless debates on male oppression, dating back to … the beginning, she supposed. She began to over-indulge in the subject matter. She wondered, fingers poised at the keys, what exactly was myth? Images of an unwanted truths reverberated through time? Yes, that would be a start. Greek myth; poor Philomele, having been raped by her brother-in-law, the mighty King Tereus, physically silenced by having her tongue cut out. Joanne took some time to get her head around this one. Was she about to become a feminist? But the woman survived. Told the tale through dance. How innovative. Joanne hit the keys and as usual, didn’t stop till after midnight.
And what did she hope to achieve from all of this? Joanne had to admit, she was sick and tired of family, friends, acquaintances and people she’d just met in the pub on a Friday night, asking her the same question. She considered telling them she was going to be a teacher, just so everyone would leave her alone. But she didn’t. And the questions continued. What made you want to do a degree? At your age? What did you say you were studying? ‘English Literature’, she would say, watching their eyes roll to the back of their heads. ‘Linguistics’, she would add with rising intonation, hoping to gain a little interest. ‘Oh I see, French? German?’ This was the point where Joanne would wonder whether she was in the wrong pub with the wrong people. Then, maybe she was the one who was in the wrong place. ‘It’s the study of the nature, structure and variation of language’, she would reply, to a place where the lights were on but no-one was in.
Joanne seems to have found herself at last. She not only achieved a more than adequate honours degree in literature (not forgetting the linguistics) but an improved capacity to understand other human beings. She is looking forward to empowering other women. Opening one of her many charity luncheons, ‘Women need to become more certain of their identities and begin to take charge of their own destinies’, she began. ‘As the famous French philosopher, Helene Cixous states, Woman must write about women and bring women to writing from which they have been driven away … woman must put herself into the text – as into the world and into history.’
Right, now I'd better get back to my real job !!
Jill.
Love Words ... ?
I do just love words, their sounds, make-up, uses, changes, etymology. But there are too many words I honestly don't know the meaning of.
Sure, most of you will know the meaning of the following ... I'm not sure whether I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know the meanings ~ or just pleased that I had the opportunity to look them up [any excuse for more procrastinaton].
These words were found in novels I've been reading over the last two months:
Veld - Yes I know it sounds like one, but didn't know it meant Field.
Toping - to drink alcohol habitually and to excess [!]
Knout - whip or lash sometimes with metal wires wound in [hmm sounds like knot/knots/knotted, doesn't it? And considering where the term: tie-the-knot in relation to marriage comes from? [just going off to check that out.
Farinaceous - as a keen cook, I should have known it means food containing flour / starch.
Apprise - to notify - not to be confused with Appraise - to estimate quality or Appease - to satisfy or relieve.
Crepuscular - of, pertaining to or resembling twilight; dim, indistinct / appearing or active in twilight [as certain bats or insects are].
Petit Trianon - small chateau in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, Paris. Petit trianon is also used to express an act of deliberately slumming [presumably in the small chateau ?].
Kowtowing - to act in a servile manner - yes, I knew that but found this interesting:
Kowtow is the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. An alternative Chinese term is ketou, however the meaning is somewhat altered: kòu originally meant "knock with reverence", whereas kē has the general meaning of "touch upon (a surface)".
Source:Wikipedia
So, send me your newly found word and we'll have a shared word-fest.
Jill
Saturday 6 August 2011
Who Are You ?
Can you describe yourself in one word?
Can you describe yourself in one phrase or sentence?
[Both tasks could come in handy for interviews]
Do you really know yourself? You might have more strengths than you realise or admit to.
Try this:
Write 5 words to describe yourself - Write quickly. Don't think too much about them.
Now write 5 words to describe yourself - Use your non-writing hand [most likely your left hand].
See the difference? Amazing? Interesting at least ... Let me know.
Have fun, Jill
Can you describe yourself in one phrase or sentence?
[Both tasks could come in handy for interviews]
Do you really know yourself? You might have more strengths than you realise or admit to.
Try this:
Write 5 words to describe yourself - Write quickly. Don't think too much about them.
Now write 5 words to describe yourself - Use your non-writing hand [most likely your left hand].
See the difference? Amazing? Interesting at least ... Let me know.
Have fun, Jill
Be on Time ...
I have spent my life being 10 minutes late for almost everything. I've missed the headmaster's welcome speech, a third of a shoulder massage, hiding in the kitchen at a surprise party, arrived at church with the bride, a dental appointment [thankfully]. I've even missed cocktails before dinners ... I'd find myself running down train platforms and rushing through airports out of breath and v stressed ... and there's been no reasonable excuse. For years, I've been in the habit of fitting in just one more 'thing' before I got ready for the next event, one last edit of a poem, written one more paragraph, painted one extra window sill, machined one more dress seam, padded one more pelmet, made one more phone call, filled one more wash load, added up one more account ... the list is endless. Basically, whatever I'm doing, I run over time just trying to fit one more 'thing' into each day.
But now, all has changed, almost overnight !
Why? Well, I have a new friend ... who is always 20 minutes late ! ... How rude ! And this must mean, arguably, that I'm always 10 minutes early. And strangely, I find this soooo irritating. Waiting. Wasting time? And now, I make a massive effort to be on time. I arrive at events in a calmer mood and less stressed. I find that I absorb and retain names, places, information much more easily when my brain isn't racing and worrying about missing an event.
How? I make achieveable task lists, put multiple alarms on my phone and sticky notes on my laptop - which is all I was going to say actually ... so that's another 10 minutes ...
Jill
But now, all has changed, almost overnight !
Why? Well, I have a new friend ... who is always 20 minutes late ! ... How rude ! And this must mean, arguably, that I'm always 10 minutes early. And strangely, I find this soooo irritating. Waiting. Wasting time? And now, I make a massive effort to be on time. I arrive at events in a calmer mood and less stressed. I find that I absorb and retain names, places, information much more easily when my brain isn't racing and worrying about missing an event.
How? I make achieveable task lists, put multiple alarms on my phone and sticky notes on my laptop - which is all I was going to say actually ... so that's another 10 minutes ...
Jill
Thursday 4 August 2011
Don and Betty ...
What fascinates me is that everyone in 40's 50's 60's films had fantastical figures [including the men], tiny waists ... no beer bellies, love handles or hips hanging over jeans. How? Fewer cars = more walking. Lack of 24/7 fast food outlets = less food intake. No computerised games of all technological descriptions = less sitting down. Less TV programmes = even less sitting down.
So, January, when's the baby due? I sense some sort of deja vu, the Abba stage production and film? Wasn't the protagonist looking for her father and invited three possibles to her wedding? Anyhow, January, that's your busness. Don't let those cheeky journos nose into your affairs.
Jill, Mad Men, Don, Betty Draper and January Jones fan.
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Labels ... the ones not often found on a designer handbag ...
Hello all you busy, busy daughters ... And thank you to the young lady in Lancashire who was asking about having some business cards printed. I needed some too, so had a quick raz around the internet and came up with Vista Print.
If you're starting up your own business, cottage industry or hobby, try http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/ for anything labelly, business cards, stickers, logo'd beakers, notepads ... most things that can be printed.
The opeing page seems ... a bit boring but once you click on your chosen product, the site opens up into a colourful extravaganza with some really fab designs. I't really simple to add your details and info and see your business card develop literally before your eyes!
Be careful not to get carried away ... the site is a bit like the Primani of Printing. Page after page of seemingly great advertising possibilities pop out in front of you and it's hard to resist ordering everything you see and have it printed with your brand new idea. The possibilites are endless. So, if you're anything like me, continually thinking of new concepts, projects and business ideas, stick to your initial order and consider the add-on options later.
'Refer a friend and earn £10 off your next order ... An easy way to save money!' [Quote from Vista Print]
Beware: the delivery price adds on to your order at the checkout ~ I ordered 250 business cards with uber-cool back-ground image for £4.25 [approx] which I considered an absolute bargain then got caught out with £6 ish postage for a 14 day delivery rather than wait for usual deliver of 21 days.
Will post a pic of them as soon as they arrive ... 13 sleeps ...
Keep busy, Jill
If you're starting up your own business, cottage industry or hobby, try http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/ for anything labelly, business cards, stickers, logo'd beakers, notepads ... most things that can be printed.
The opeing page seems ... a bit boring but once you click on your chosen product, the site opens up into a colourful extravaganza with some really fab designs. I't really simple to add your details and info and see your business card develop literally before your eyes!
Be careful not to get carried away ... the site is a bit like the Primani of Printing. Page after page of seemingly great advertising possibilities pop out in front of you and it's hard to resist ordering everything you see and have it printed with your brand new idea. The possibilites are endless. So, if you're anything like me, continually thinking of new concepts, projects and business ideas, stick to your initial order and consider the add-on options later.
'Refer a friend and earn £10 off your next order ... An easy way to save money!' [Quote from Vista Print]
Beware: the delivery price adds on to your order at the checkout ~ I ordered 250 business cards with uber-cool back-ground image for £4.25 [approx] which I considered an absolute bargain then got caught out with £6 ish postage for a 14 day delivery rather than wait for usual deliver of 21 days.
Will post a pic of them as soon as they arrive ... 13 sleeps ...
Keep busy, Jill
Monday 1 August 2011
For All Things Romantic
Hello Ladies, Daughters, Sisters, Neices, Students even Mothers and Grandmothers ...
For something romantic, days out, gifts, poetry, stories, all sorts of ideas, check out Romantic Ideas Online
http://www.romantic-ideas-online.com/
Enjoy, Jill
For something romantic, days out, gifts, poetry, stories, all sorts of ideas, check out Romantic Ideas Online
http://www.romantic-ideas-online.com/
Enjoy, Jill
Write Girl
WriteGirl is a nonprofit organization for high school girls centered on the craft of creative writing and empowerment through self-expression. Through one-on-one mentoring and monthly workshops, girls are given techniques, insights and hot tips for great writing in all genres from professional women writers.
Check it out: http://www.writegirl.org/
Jill
Check it out: http://www.writegirl.org/
Jill
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