Or

Pumpkin soup on the menu tonight with fresh crusty bread, with witches brew for drink (ok it is fresh kiwi juice because of its lovely green colour), that is as much as we will be celebrating here, don't do trick or treat. I tend to celebrate the pagan version anyway the feast of Samhain or the day of the dead.

This time of the year marks the veils between this world and the otherworld is at its thinnest. The spirits of the dead can mingle with the living. I remember all my ancestors that have passed, my candle will burn in remembrance of them. It is a celebration of life that has passed, that I feel close to those that have passed on - ok I never ever denied that I was a bit weird if not mad, but I feel in touch with the spirits of my ancestors and today they will be remembered. I will also encourage the children and hubby to reflect on the past year as well, a time to taking stock of what has passed, and to move on and look towards a better future.

There will be no trick or treating though as hubby and I don't agree with it, in fact round here it is the one night where opening your door is not a good idea as it isn't sweets they want but money!!

Hope you all have a great day on this day.

youngest son decided to throw up at school today, so have had to bring him home.

Can you tell I am delighted sad at having more time of work lol!

Sitting in the early hours of this morning on the sofa stitching, waiting for sleep to overcome me, I was struck by the amount of channels doing 'teleshopping'. I suppose the word for them are infocommercials, the ones where they are trying to sell you a product and exclaim how wonderful they are.

The products were all the same really. Using this machine will give you a leaner toner body! using this item over 30 days you will see inches disappear! I was so amazed by this product it took 10 years of me! Worried about spots then give this a try, you will be truly amazed! Exercise machines, makeup, - they were mainly covered all advertised by beautiful people, all having celebrities being excited by the products (ok they were B or Z list celebrities) all with skinny people advertising them. All trying to tell us what we should be doing, using, and how to get a body like theirs. Melissa Gilbert (little house on the Prairie fame and several movies you will only ever see on Movies 24) trying to tell us that underneath her makeup her skin is also red which just goes to show how wonderful this product is, Victoria Principle trying to tell us that if you buy her products you to could have clear skin like hers, Elle McPherson "I am in my forties and after having my 2nd child found it difficult to get rid of that baby fat - look at how firm I am now if you buy this exercise machine you too could look like this" Ok slight exaggeration on last one, but darling if I had a personal trainer could afford a personal trainer, then yes I probably too would have a stomach as flat as a washboard as well! Of course I would also need a nanny to look after the children while I worked out, a make up artist to make me look beautiful, a season pass to the best hospital to have a face lift or too as well!

Cynical?

Yes.

I will admit I have bought of these channels, my core exercise ball came from there, but that was only because I wanted an exercise that would challenge a bit more and was sismilar to Pilates that it seemed worthwhile to do - as I sit here looking at my flabby stomach which according to the commercials should be tight and taut by now I can only come to the conclusion that they forgot to pack the personal trainer with it to keep me motivated!!

Just goes to show, don't believe everything you are told, don't buy, just save your money and treat yourself to something you do want instead!!

Well I am back at work today, going in at 11 and working till 3.30. Hope it will be an easy day and I won't have too much to do!

My neck is easier but still making that clicking sound when I move, well I say clicking it is more the sound of sweet wrappers being opened, that happens all day long!

Was chucked off computer at the weekend as my eldest had course work to do - History describe the troubles in Ireland - that was fun I can tell you and it still isn't finished yet. He manages to write a lot and avoid answering the question - he will make a great politician!

Right better go and make some sandwiches and try and get myself focussed on work!

Have a good day xx

If it weren't for the fact the kids had to be taken to the opticians for their annual appointment, then I would still be in my nightclothes!

better still I would have still been in bed, as I was nice and comfortable in there and because it is technically the last day of my enforced stay at home, I wanted to stay there and relax.

however it was not to be.

Instead, I managed to shower and dress, take the kids to town, come back home again after getting the 'alls well see you next year' from the nice optician man, and laid on the couch instead.

Now however, I have a pilates session to get to as my friend asked me if I was thinking of going. well of course I was thinking of going, just hadn't thought as far as yes or no.

So I shall go, better get changed then hadn't I!

Hope you all had a good day

Hugs xx

hope your day is full of happiness hun

Have a great day

hugs
xxxxxxx

here

I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.

I took out my purse, got out ten dollars and asked, 'If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it instead of dinner?'

'No, I had to stop drinking years ago', the homeless woman told me.

'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked.

'No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said. 'I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.'

'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked.

'Are you NUTS !' replied the homeless woman. ' I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!'

'Well,' I said, 'I'm not going to give you the money.

Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight.'

The Woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband
be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.'

I said, 'That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and wine.'

thanks for pointing it out to me gusy. here

Register here for a free DVD to restore your inner strength.

Is how I am feeling this morning.

woke up in a hot sweat, threw the covers off, and decided that I was cold. Then tried to swallow which is when I realised that I have obviously caught hubby's cold.

A beechams was obviously the order of the day with my mug of tea, and some Echinacea tablets taken with it. Apart from sneezing constantly I am not too bad yet, hopefully I can nip this before it becomes something stronger lol

The hedgehogs in the garden last night were lining up waiting for their dinner. Quite funny really as it took ages to find one of the bowls we fill with food - looks like Prickles isn't the only one that enjoys hiding his food bowl! The dogs have worked out we now have 'visitors in the garden and play up to go out form 8 o'clock onwards, driving us batty in the process. We know if we let them out, then Laddie, our grey, is likely to attack them so we have to make sure the garden is clear before we do.

The trees that separate the garden from the field to the side of us, are now shredding their leaves. There are a lot of leaves in the garden right now. The garden needs a good tidy up, but Nig hasn't the time to do it at the moment and I can't do as much as I want. Annoying really. Mind you could always send the kids out to do it at some point this week - now that is an idea will keep them out of my hair for a little while!

My peace this morning, has been broken by my youngest making an appearance and demanding my attention so better go and see what he wants.

Hope you all have a good day xx

Depressed at England losing the Rugby World Cup, Lewis Hamilton losing
the Formula One and even Ronnie O'Sullivan losing the snooker?

Help is at hand, just call the English Supporters' helpline, on 0800 10
10 10.

That's 0800 won nothing won nothing won nothing

First thought this morning, as I opened my eyes was "what the heck?"

I seemed to be tangled up in the duvet, lots of it on top of me and hubby trying his hardest to get even closer as he was cold, due to the duvet being on my side of the bed.

Rearranged the covers, he muttered something incomprehensible, and fell back to sleep while I lay there looking at the ceiling in the dark lost in thought.

Peace, until the alarm goes off and heralds the start of the day.

Dragging myself from the warmth of my bed, I stagger down the stairs, let out the dogs and fill the kettle to make a cup of tea. That first cup of the day is heaven, nothing matches it, doesn't matter how many cups you sip throughout the day, nothing beats that first cup.

I notice how cold it is outside as I open the door to let the dogs in, definitely very chilly this morning, very frosty. Hubby makes a bleary eyed appearance and starts to sort out the birds, feed the dogs then eventually sits down with his mug and complains about how much of the duvet I had. I just laugh, it isn't my fault he put it all on me is it?

I now sit here alone. The children still in bed, the dogs have settled down, laying on their respective beds in the living room. I love it when it is quiet, I can reflect, or just enjoy the silence.

Not that it is completely silent of course, Radio 5 is on in the background, though that will be replaced by a cd at some point, there is only so much of the same news item one can listen to in one day

So today, I have a doctors appointment to check my shoulder and neck, then I will need to pop to the shops for some potatoes. Then I shall settle down and carry on with the stitching again in the hope that I will try and get it finished before Christmas this year!

Light is beginning to appear outside now. I am yawning like mad due to being tired still. I want to go back to bed, but know that if I do I probably will not get up again, so had better stay up and get on with some housework before I head off to see the GP.

Hope you all have a good day

hugs xx

Phone rings - I answer then hand it over to son.

conversation consists of yep, yep, maybe, yep, yep, uh uh, uh uh, uh uh, yep, ok, yep, yep, bye.

Oh the art of conversation!

I spent the best part of yesterday sewing away in contentment, until hubby came home and decided to shout at the telly.

Yes you guessed it, Spurs lost again.

I sewed all the way through, made a few phonecalls, talked to friends of Simons to sort a few things out - he mananged to double book himslef, he is in demand at the moment - everyones friend!

Crawled into bed at about 11 then fell asleep, a deep sleep that saw me go all the way through to 7 this morning.

Hubby didn't have to go to work so early this morning so we managed to still have our half hour together sipping our mugs of hot tea (or in his case lemsip) together, in silence, each lost in our thoughts. A smile at each other occasionally, an odd comment or two about something we had heard on the radio.

Then he gets up, kisses me goodbye and out the door he goes.

Five minutes to myself before youngest emerges, making a lot of noise which now heralds the start of a hectic day.

I swear there is something wrong with that child. Not only is he incredibly noisy, quiet doesn't come as part of his vocabulary, quiet he just cannot do. He talks constantly about nothing in particular, always demanding, attention seeking. In a world of his own at the moment, he is jumping round the living room, fighting imaginary foes, shouting at them and waving his arms in the air. This will go on for most of the day, and will drive me to distraction. This is when he isn't engrossed in a game on the computer if I allow him on that is.

Then there is the constant blinking, but not the subtle movement of the eyes, no his whole forehead moves as well and he screws his eyes up. Did think it will wear off but it seems to be getting worse, so he is now booked in for an eye test though he seems to be able to see quite well. He has some funny habits, does my youngest, a lot seem to relate to dyslexia though he hasn't been diagnosed with that yet, everything points to him having it though, and I know the school are going down that route which is good.

Yet he is a happy child, a loving child, willing to give a hug, a kiss to you spontaneously, most of the time when you have your hands full as you are in the middle of doing something. He is a caring child who will always ask if you are ok, will do things for you when you are ill. Often he is so laid back he is horizontal, nothing phases him, you can be in the middle of telling him off for something he has done and he will change the subject - frustrating yes but just goes to show how he isn't really bothered, it isn't worth worrying about. He loves being around people, he hates being alone and he often surrounds himself by those that he calls friends.

The worrying thing about him though is that he can be easily led, out of my two children it is him I worry about most, yet he will probably be the one that will get on in life better than we give him credit for.

He is so much like my husband, Bless him

In other news, lots of running around to be done today, eldest going into town to meet up with some friends and I have some housework to do after I have cleaned out Prickles. trying to keep to healty eating plan today, will be good I keep promising my self

Right better get a move on, lots to do

have a good day

34 foot custom-built motor yacht (mould frame by Specialized Fabrications Ltd) complete with staterooms, gourmet galley, G.P.S. system and radar for navigation, twin supercharged diesel engines & more. $4,500,000.00 *********************************************************** Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries with cream and music dockside for the excited "soon to be owners" and a small group of friends. $500.00 Two corporate representatives, crane, and rigging complete with faulty turnbuckle (supplied by Specialized Fabrications Ltd). $2, 500/ho ur (Note the guy in the stern!) Watching your dreamboat nose dive into the harbor, accompanied by two corporate representatives just prior to "inking" the final paperwork... PRICELESS! (or not, depending on whether you are the buyer or the seller!)

The heating came on this morning.

Normally I hold out until November, telling everyone to wear and extra jumper or two.

However Hubby has been complaining of feeling cold and despite him layering up, he now has a bad cold, which to be honest is unusual for him. I must admit, it has been a bit chilly in the bathroom of a morning so perhaps putting the heating on will be a good idea - half hour in the morning, on low to take of the chill and the evening I will play by ear depending on how cold it gets.

Slept better last night, no dreams to haunt me. Hubby had a better night as well which was good as he has now gone of to work and I hate him driving when he has had very little sleep and feeling under the weather. As I look out of the window, it is still very dark outside. Prickles has had a rummage round his box and gone back to bed, knowing that at some point he will be disturbed so we can clean him out.

No plans for today apart from going out to the shops for some fresh fruit and veg. Need to get on track with the healthy eating regime. Not being able to do my usual exercises is beginning to get me down a little, but better to avoid rather than do further damage. Have an appointment with the doctor on Wednesday to see if I can get the all clear on that one!

Must make an appointment for dentist and get eye check for everyone as well!

More money

Oh well better go and catch up with the happenings on Blogland overnight while I still have access to the computer because once the kids make their way out of bed, bedlam usually reigns!

Have a good day

Hugs xx

At 5 weeks old he looked like this:


and weighed 135gms.

Today Prickles weighs 540gms and is looking more like an adult hedgehog. Angela at the hedgehog hospital, checked him out today and is pleased with his progress. She is going to help us to get him settled for hibernation, which hopefully by next week he will get to the required weight for. We will keep him in the shed while he hibernates, giving us a chance to get the garden sorted ready for his release in spring next year.

Stayed in bed until 9, got up made a cup of tea and caught up with a few things around the house.

Plans for today is to stock up on some fresh fruit and veg, then maybe go for a little walk later if I can successfully drag people out of bed that is.

Weird dreams in the night, not helped by Nig calling out in his sleep and mumbling, think he must have had some weird dreams as well.

The sun is shining, there is a chill in the air, and I can see a layer of frost on the cars outside the window. Would be lovely if it stays sunny. Might pop to the hedgehog hospital to take a few things back that she leant us - think I will leave cleaning out Prickles until Simon gets up, he loves doing that job and the box is a bit of mess today! Hopefully I will get some photos of him later to put on here so you can see how much he has grown (the hedgehog that is not Simon lol).

Right better cook some breakfast and drag hubby out of bed.

Have a good day xx

The Koala and the Little Lizard A koala is sitting up a gum tree smoking a joint when a little lizard walks past , looks up and says "Hey Koala! What are you doing?" The koala says: "Smoking a joint, come up and have some." So the little lizard climbs up and sits next to the koala and they have a few joints. After a while the little lizard says his mouth is dry and is going to get a drink from the river. But the little lizard is so stoned that he leans too far over and falls into the river. A crocodile sees this and swims over to the little lizard and helps him to the side, then asks the little lizard: "What's the matter with you?" The little lizard explains to the crocodile that he was sitting smoking a joint with the koala in the tree, got too stoned and then fell into the river while taking a drink. The crocodile says he has to check this out and walks into the rain forest, finds the tree where the koala is sitting finishing a joint, and he looks up and says "Hey you!" So the koala looks down at him and says: "Shhhiiittttt dude!! ...How much water did you drink?!!"

Before and after marriage Before - You take my breath away. After - I feel like I'm suffocating. Before - Twice a night. After - Twice a month. Before - She loves the way I take control of a Situation. After - She called me a controlling, manipulative, egomaniac. Before - Ricky & Lucy. After - Fred & Ethel. Before - Saturday Night Live. After - Monday Night Football. Before - He makes me feel like a million dollars. After - If I had a dime for every stupid thing he's done... Before - Is that all you are eating? After - Maybe you should just have a salad, honey. Before - Wheel of Fortune. After - Jeopardy. Before - It's like living a dream. After - It's a nightmare. Before - Flowers-$60/dozen. After - $1.50/stem. Before - Turbocharged. After - Needs a jump-start Before - We agree on everything! After - Doesn't she have a mind of her own? Before - Clothes-Victoria's Secret. After - Fruit of the Loom. Before - Idol. After - Idle. Before - He's lost without me. After - Why can't he ask for directions? Before - When together, time stands still. After - This relationship is going nowhere. Before - Croissant and cappuccino. After - Bagels and instant coffee. Before - Oysters. After - Fishsticks. Before - I can hardly believe we found each other. After - How the hell did I end up with someone like you? Before - Romeo and Juliet. After - Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Things That Sound Dirty at the Office but Aren't * I need to whip it out by 5. * Mind if I use your laptop? * Just stick it in my box. * If I have to lick one more, I'll gag! * I want it on my desk, NOW!!! * Hmmmm...I think it's out of fluid! * My equipment is so old, it takes forever to finish. * It's an entry-level position. * When do you think you'll be getting off today? * It's not fair...I do all the work while he just sits there! * Have you checked your hard disk for viruses? * I've increased my RAM for more power.

Interesting morning. One building society, has a cheque paid in on Tuesday which clears on Friday, allowing us to draw it out today.

Other building society has a cheque paid in to account last Saturday, was told it would be cleared on Friday but in actual fact it hasn't cleared and won't clear until Monday!

So there I am, needing the money for the car that I am due to pick up today, arguing with the poor cashier to get hold of a cheque that I need them to write out, until I tell them that if I cannot have a cheque I will close all my accounts today. There are three of them.

Surprise, surprise, cheque is printed for me so that I can collect car.

Car is now sitting on my drive, in full glory having been taken for a spin to Bedford and back.

I must admit getting into a car after all this time was a bit nerve racking but got there and back safely so at least my confidence is a bit better.

Really must get on a nd do some housework , but can't be bothered, just going to chill for now and play a game or too

Hope you are all having a good day

hugs xx

The first thing I thought this morning was 'Isn't it cold'.

There was definitely a chill in the air, yet in the night I was quite warm.

Listening to the radio, there was nothing exciting on it at all, most of the news items are doom and gloom, plus the usual analysis of the football last night.

Note to presenters, not everyone who listens to you are interested in football, we don't care if the manager should go or not, if the pitch was wet/dry or if there was a penalty!

Robinson is useless for Spurs, what the hell he is doing playing for England I do not know!!!!

Anyway, grumbling I made my way out of bed and stood under the shower, hoping the water would warm me up. By the time I got dressed and sorted to face the day i was hot again, so decided against putting the heating on. I settled for putting some washing on instead!

Nig headed off to work, grumbling as usual about the M1 and useless drivers, kids eventually found their way out of the door, and I have relished the peace it has given me by eating my breakfast - beans, mushrooms and tomatoes on toast - yummy!

So for now i am going to attempt to do one hours worth of ironing, though it will take a lot longer to clear the mountain that is sitting here, and do some washing and stitch in peace

Have a good day

Hugs xx

This is really, really stupid.

I have just sat here and had a good cry.

was it because I was sad and upset?

No

Was I feeling low?

No

I was watching the biggest loser, a programme where people get picked to stay on a ranch and do activities and diet to lose weight in two teams, currently showing of Living TV. Now I have been watching it since I have been signed off work and I get really upset during the eliminations because they are doing so well, and have obviously bonded together and get upset eliminating team members.

Pathetic isn't it?

Mind you I also found myself crying during an advert the other day, things can't get any lower can they?

Today I am happy to say, I am feeling better. There is still some pain, in my neck and shoulder, but not as bad as it was, so at least I am on the mend.

Went looking at cars at the weekend. Not many that I want and not many in my price range either. Determined that I will get what I want, will not settle for something else, want what I am happy with and I will get it

Done some hoovering, but not much else. Just eaten my cardboard (ryvita) with some cheese, ok so the cheese is defeating the object of a diet/healthy regime slightly, but it takes away the taste of the ryvita as well

Right not anything else to waffle on about for now so had better go and do some sewing, right after I have put the chicken in the oven to cook.

Defra denies UHT milk switch plan

To most people in the UK, UHT milk is not a pleasant option
The government has denied press reports it is planning to ask everyone to switch from fresh to long-life milk as a means to reduce energy usage.

The clarification from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) follows the leaking of a report into the future of the dairy sector.

Drawn up by civil servants, the paper highlights the fact that shops do not need to refrigerate long-life milk.

Defra said it would not be telling people what kind of milk to drink.

"Defra has been working in close collaboration with all parts of the dairy supply chain to look at ways to reduce the environmental impact of dairy production and consumption, including greenhouse gas emissions," said a spokesman.

"The paper referred to was drawn up to stimulate discussion - it does not represent government policy and was never intended to.

"The government is not and will not be telling people what kind of milk to drink, people need to make their own decisions."

'Grossly insensitive'

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said any suggestion that people should switch to long-life or UHT (ultra heat treatment) milk was "ridiculous".

NFU dairy chairman Gwyn Jones added that it was also "grossly insensitive" at a time when the industry was recovering from outbreaks of both foot-and-mouth and bluetongue.

"If it wasn't so foolhardy, it would be dangerous," Mr Jones told the BBC.

"We give the consumer what he or she wants [which is fresh milk], he said.

"If we forgo the UK's long-held tradition of fresh milk, it would be a sure way to wreck the market."

While consumption of UHT milk in the UK is just 8.4%, it is much more popular on the continent.

In countries such as France, it accounts for 95% of all milk sales.

MILK DIFFERENCE
Fresh milk is milk that has been pasteurised
Under the process, it is heated to 72C for 15 seconds
This kills off harmful bacteria, but not all bacteria
As a result, the milk then needs to be kept refrigerated
UHT milk is heated to 135C
This kills off all bacteria and the milk does not need to be refrigerated until it is opened

So not content in being told what to eat on a daily basis, we now have to be told what milk to drink.

Right there is a pint of milk with my name on it in the fridge, going to drink it before it becomes a luxury

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Right so this years theme is the environment.
What do I write? I ask myself.
Of course I could tell you how much we are damaging it at a nation, I could spout on about climate change caused by carbon footprints, and all the other terms that are meaningless to us all and have been thought up to scare the hebejeezies out of us all.
But I am not going to, because I struggle to come to terms with some of the propaganda that is fed to us on a daily basis, because dear 0.5 of a reader, if Governments were really concerned would they still be letting scientists develop things to make our life better? Would countries still be sending spaceships up to explore space? so on and so forth.

No I am going to give you a glimpse of the environment where I live.

I live in a cul de sac, one of several that make up our street.
As I sit here, looking out of my front window I see other houses, the same as mine in style, most with two or three cars in their driveway. Some houses have been extended to fit an expanding family. Some have had an extra bathroom added, a bigger kitchen, or added a bedroom. Others, like mine, have stayed the same design as when they were built. The inside of the house may have changed over the years, a wall knocked down or added, but the outside looks the same.

At the back I look out onto a small garden, through the conservatory windows. The garden is a hive of activity. Birds of all sorts visit daily, robins, sparrows, tits of many kinds, the odd woodpecker, wood pigeon and Jays. They fight over the food that is left for them with the squirrels that jump from tree to tree, fence to fence, who bury their finds in the plant pots scattered around the garden, searching for a titbit or two. The hedgehog visits to check if we have remembered to leave any food out for her, and wanders from garden to garden on her nightly round. In the summer butterflies visit the plants that have been put in for them. I like my garden to be wild and unplanned. If I do plan anything then I look into what plants will attract the wildlife, what butterflies like, what the bees will be looking for, what the ladybirds will want. Any plant in my garden or in my pots, have been planted for a reason and they are allowed to spread at will and grow where they have seeded. I have plants in my garden that haven't been planted by myself, but have settled there when their seeds were dispersed by nature. It is peaceful here, it is my haven from the world.

On one side of the garden, is my neighbour, who is currently having an extension built on the side of their house. On the other side is an open field, which is surrounded by a wood owned by the Woodland Trust.

The field is owned by the Girl Guides, who visit in the summer months, where they will play and do their badges before retiring for the evening to their huts. In all the years we have lived here, there never once has been a tent erected on the site, though a few bonfires for them to sing around has appeared.

When the Girl guides are not using the land, a variety of wildlife can be seen wandering through the field. The Muntjack deer mixes with the foxes, rabbits playing in the field bouncing through the long grass before it gets its seasonal cut, pheasants wander through looking for any food they can find or to preen their feathers, though I swear they only come into the field to upset my dogs as they head towards the fence and push their heads through the hole there.

When we first moved here, the field was a public right of way. You could walk through it to get to the woods, but due to vandalism that involved fire by local youngsters, the area was fenced off so that only the guides get to enjoy it when they visit. I am lucky, I can see into the field and enjoy watching the wildlife as they safely wander through.

It is quiet here. The only sounds you hear on a daily basis during the summer months, from the children playing in their gardens. Bonfire night is a noisy time as well as it tends to extend into New Year, the smell of smoke staying in the air.

Five minutes away from us is the Chiltern hills. Glorious countryside, farmland and wooded areas to visit wander through. We are also surrounded by parks and pathways to walk along, where you can watch the changes in the seasons by the flowers that appear, the colour of the leaves on the trees.

How long this will last though is anyone's guess. One can hope a lot of it is protected, but in an age where housing seems to be at a premium, land being bought to build upon, all around us, there seems to be houses, apartments and retail parks springing up.

In this town there are three retail parks. In all of them there are at least one unit, if not two, that remain empty. The retail parks sell the same thing as each other; electrical goods, carpets, home furnishings. Nearby there are housing sites being developed. Houses so small there is not room for a family to live in comfortably, so squashed up together you cannot help but hear what is happening in the house next to you. The gardens so small, there is enough space to hang some washing but not much else. The park that once used to be there for children to play in no longer exists. The more houses that are built the more we need local amenities, schools, shops, water, electricity, the more we build the more we need. Trees being chopped down to make way for them, some are replaced, most aren't. The saplings that replace the trees fight for survival as vandals come along and pull them up, cut them or write on them.

Floods happening because we build more and more on land that is unable to drain away the rainwater as it falls, there is no where for it to go. Nothing to stop the rainwater from draining away into the next village or town because the natural resources have been taken away to make way for buildings.

Why?

Progress. An overcrowded country. A need for a quality of life which we have all got used to. A developing world.

Yet has any thought been given to how they affect our environment? In the future where will the children play? Where is the wildlife that I see now, will it be there for future generations to see? Will the walks through the countryside end because it is no more?

Only time will tell. For now I will enjoy and make the most of what I do have because it will be gone all too soon.

here

Bad news this morning

Found out yesterday that I will be unable to do my beloved Pilates for the forseeable future, well until I have seen a physio anyway for my neck injuries and been signed of by them.

Trouble is until the swelling goes down I won't be seeing a physio.

Then will have to go through the rigmarole of a waiting list.

This could go on and on!!

In other news, light is beginning to appear outside the window, though there are a lot of clouds out there at the moment and it doesn't look like it will be a good day.

must remember to get a card for my friends birthday, thought I had one somewhere but can't find it which is just typical!

Right enough of this nonsense must go and take some tablets and get ready to face the day

Have a good one!!