Make Yourself at Home ~

Serious Questions or Simply for Entertainment. This blog can be anything you want it to be ... Click the FOLLOW button ... makes me feel better. Add your message to Gills' Guest Book. Post a Comment at the end of a blog ... Email me with your questions: gmhesketh@yahoo.co.uk


Monday 23 January 2012

Which Way ???

Thank you Son - in - Distress for your question about finding your way to London from the North of England - without the aid of a satellite navigation system[poor you ! ] ... well, that's no problem at all ... in the olden days, no-one had a sat-nav.

I always tell my semi-grown-up-children/adults to Be Prepared for any event on a long journey during an obvious but necessary conversation before they set off :

Make sure you have:
Fuel or money
Map
Phone / cash for a call
Coat
Drink

Before You Set Off ...

Of course, you could print out your journey [www.theaa.com] route planner] or google maps - but the print may be difficult to read when you are driving.

Check your journey on a real map !
Find key motorways and junctions.
Find key cities / towns you will pass through or near.
Plot your journey - write a few bullet points in thick felt pen on large piece of paper:

M55 to junction 32 Preston
M6  to jct 4
M42 to jct 3
M40 to jct 1A
M25 to jct 13
A1 to ...
past: Warrington - Crewe - Birmingham - Banbury - High Wycombe

* If you become tired when driving - make a stop off at service station or other.
   Wash your face. Eat. Power-nap if necessary.

PS - Don't text, speed or have loud music playing down head-phones when driving.

I know, I know, I sound like your mother ...

Drive Safely and enjoy the journey.
Gillian





Sunday 22 January 2012

introducing Henrietta and Feather ...


Good morning everyone ... Introducing Henrietta and Feather [ex battery hens] - but wondering why, when or how they got into the conservatory without anyone noticing !

Feather arrived with around 50% of her feathers and you can see, they've grown back already.

People say keeping hens makes you happy - so what's the connection ? I'm afraid I've no idea ... but for some reason, these two make me smile every morning. All they need is a warm hen house, some straw, water, food  and maybe a garden. They don't answer back, get speeding tickets or empty the fridge.

Of course, they love roaming around the garden - and making a wonderful sloppy mess here and there [nothing that a garden hose-pipe won't remove].

On the plus side, they lay eggs ! [sometimes]

Battery hens are often free or generally around £2. They make a great gift - but be sure the recipient is prepared for the journey !!

Enjoy, Gillian

Dressing Tables Sand and Satin

Hello Daughter in distress - thanks for your question:

' I have ruined my dressing table with make-up and want to paint it - how do I do this?
[its cream finish but not sure if its wood or MDF (medium density fire board)]'

This job is simpler than you might think ... please check your dressing table isn't of antique value though ! ? !

This is how I did a
wardrobe ...

You will need:
extra find sandpaper
clean cloths
turps or white spirit
paint brush [ preferably two]
cream emulsion paint
small tin satin quick dry varnish

Wash the dressing table top and let it dry.
Sand the surface till smooth.
Brush off the dust and wipe with turps-damp cloth.
Paint with cream emulsion and let dry.
Sand the surface again.
[if the coverage looks sparse, paint another coat]
Wipe with clean damp cloth.
Paint with the varnish. [you may need a second coat]

Sit back and feel smug.

Enjoy, Gillian