Relaxing Tiddlers ...

Check out the Relaxing Tiddlers at right side of blogs ... another half hour spent procrastinating ... I really should have an award for it !

Jill

Feng Shui Extreme ...

Is this a step too far?  Is it The American Dream gone to extreme?

Check out feng shui decorating for thoughts on not only clearing clutter [ and you know how much that's a fave of mine ] but where [when possible] to place sofas, side tables and of course, your clutter for improved balance in your life. Bearing in mind, that if you don't want sensibility, just leave your beans-on-toast plate and drained bottle of wine or empty lager can [s] on the floor by the sofa for a couple of days. [only joking ~ I know all you daughters and sons wouldn't dream of doing that ~ especially when a parental visit is promised !]

http://www.efengshuidecorating.com/

Get busy, Jill

'Man Flu' Exists. 'Man Flu' Exists?

'Man Flu' does exist, according to a report in a recent broadsheet newspaper. [Didn't we girls know that already?] [only joking boys!]. The anonymous reporter from the Telegraph claims that when there are viruses in the air waiting to be caught, men take to their sick beds whilst women carry on with daily activities. [Didn't we know about that too?].

Apparently, women have a much stronger immune response to rhinoviruses. Researchers have found some evidence that this protection is regulated by hormones ~ which is why women are better at resisting the viruses and why men are more susceptible to falling ill.

Doesn't really change anything does it?

Jill   

Lulu & Poodle Print ...

Hello Ladies, Girls, Shoppers and boyfriends looking to surprise their girlfriends ...

Yes, the sales are on ... so I thought ... anyone interested in fun label fashion might like to check out Lulu Guiness's statement handbags ~ Checks, Poodles, Cut-outs & Lips ... all Half Price !!

http://www.luluguinness.com/homepage.aspx?siteid=UKB2C¤cy=GBP&utm_campaign=Sale%2Bunder%2B150&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email


Enjoy, Jill

Rant, Rave and Junk Mail ...

If you saw BBC Panorama's programme WHY HATE JUNK MAIL - July 4th, you will have listened to Tom Heap explaining how Scam Mail [often the sort that tempts to you send money off in order to claim a multi ££££ prize] is distributed through the Royal Mail posting systems.

Terrible I say ... Disgusting behaviour ... Trickery ... A Right Royal Scam ...

Watch This if you missed it ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012gn9m/Panorama_Why_Hate_Junk_Mail/

So ... Why don't we all post our Scam Mail - delivered by Royal Mail ... back into the post box with a message... RETURN TO SENDER ~ NOT REQUESTED AT THIS ADDRESS ... ??

Rant over, Jill.

Burgers Breaking Up ...

Don't worry, this is not the end of a romance. I've had a question from a 'daughter' [thankyou] who is having problems with her home-made burgers breaking up on the Bar-b-q.

Hmmm ... I'm guessing that when the burger is on a steel rack of some sort, the meat which touches the wires will get hotter much more quickly, seal and crisp more quickly whereas the meat in between will not be as hot / not cooked as much and be less crisp. The softer, wetter texture of the meat may cause it to collapse and fall through the gaps in the mesh ... hence ... a broken up burger ... ahh.

It might help if you put the burgers on a flat cooking tray on top of the rack ? But you probably won't be able to use the tray in the oven afterwards [?]

Happy Bar-b-q ing ... and congrats for trying the home-made burger recipe.

Jill 

Just One Holiday Tip ...

Especially if you've been dieting for your holiday ... and if you happen to be travelling on a no-frills or no-food flight ... Please pack up some healthy goodies to munch on. DON'T begin your holiday here:

To be honest, pop, white bread, crisps, chocolate ... It's no wonder the nation is 'going large'?

Try asking your airline for something really unusual, like an Apple or a Tangerine, maybe a small bag of Grapes ...

See the SHOCK on the air stewards' faces.

They're not shocked at your request [after all, it's clearly visible that they look after their bodies]

No, the SHOCK is that all you can buy that includes fruit on the no-frills flights where everything is tinted with an Orange glow, is a child-luch-pack at around £4 that includes - yes another white bread sandwich with a piece of yellowy plastic looking slice in it, a chocolate mini roll and ... don't be SHOCKED now, a packet of sliced APPLE !!! To be completely fair there was some slight improvement; a slice of brown bread with ham inside.

So next time you're on a no-frills flight ... and the airline company want to sell you a lump of soggy white bread, part microwaved-ish / part toasted / part dampened piece of food which is often described as a 'delicious toasted sandwich' ... please honour your body - ask if they've something healthy. If we keep asking - 'they' might just re-think what 'they' are serving on our aeroplanes.

Rant over but it had to be done, for all our sakes,
Jill

Learn How to be a Leader in approximately 3 minutes !

Get dancing everyone,
Jill

eeek ... Boot Camp ...

eeek [again] my daughter has had me on boot camp. No chocolate, no potatoes, no pasta, no white bread, no butter ...

What's a girl to do?

After 5 days ... I've not lost a single pound ~ but I do feel loads better. Almost smug if you don't mind me saying so.

I think that addiction to chocolate must be something like being addicted to cigarettes. Once you've got past the first few days, the craving becomes easier. I'm managing okay so far without chocolate. I have to admit, getting through 3 toffee crisps and half a packet of plain chocolate digestives and a couple of sneaky fudge bars was a normal daily intake for me. The problem for me is that living without potatoes, pasta, toast, real butter is sooo difficult ... and maybe that's as hard as giving up smoking ?

So now I'm on the next level ... no potatoes, pasta, bread.

The main thing obviously, is to eat healthily. The sooner you get into the habit of it, te sooner you'll feel better. Plenty of fruit, vegetables, soups, juice, water ... Because you're worth it.

Off now to whip up a pan of cabbage [diet] soup ...

Jill

Hello Daughters ...

Daughters, Sons, that covers everyone then ...

Apparently, a third of Britons are so stressed about money that they worry about it daily. Whether its the current financial situation or the outlook for the future. Well, we're not surprised really, are we?

Mainly:- don't spend more than you earn. I know that's easier to say than do, but once you're into meney saving routines, you'll get used to the idea. It's a bit like going on a diet or training yourself to go on a healthy eating plan.

Some random ideas for cutting financial expenses:

* Check your tax code is correct. Millions of people in Great Brittain have the wrong code.

* Check you are on the lowest phone tariff suitable for your use.
* Cut down on unnecessary text messages: When you make arrangements with someone, try to keep to them. [this will avoid multiple calls and text messages].

Repair: Try having your washing machine / TV / fridge seal / cooker ring / repaired rather than buying a new one.
Repair & Dry Clean: Clothes, hems, buttons rather than buy new ones.

Travel: Group your collections/ delivery projects into one journey.
Travel: Car share.

Play out: Every night doesn't have to be a run around all the pubs followed by 3 or 4 clubs and an expensive taxi home. Change the plan. 'Staying in is the new Going Out' Pick up a board game from a car boot. Play cards. Set up a short tennis net in your / your friend's garden. Take your mates for a walk somewhere you haven't been before.
Join a running club. Get a bike [Last week, one was sold for £6 !.

Phew, eyes rolling already ... must be time for my chocolate fix ... oops, not having chocolate this week [part of the saving routine I devised last week]

Jill