tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331735322024-03-21T14:32:15.941+00:00M's wayPositivity is the keyEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-38734289068311657182016-10-22T19:12:00.001+01:002016-10-22T19:12:08.589+01:00Hello Hello blog, long time no see .... does anyone still read this even? Well, seeing as I have not posted in a while probably not pmslEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-63401400111938131462012-07-05T22:15:00.001+01:002012-07-05T22:15:48.609+01:00Devastated<br />
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Tonight, I am sitting here in shock. Shaken to the very core. Tonight I found out something that I never imagined could ever happen to anyone I knew. Its the kind of thing that happens to other people, on the news, not to people I know. <br />
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Years ago, when I was a teenager, I had this friend, Sarah, she'd been at school with my brothers, but you know we kinda clicked, she had a little baby boy Daniel, and I used to babysit for her sometimes. I also used to bunk off school and go round hers. Trust me it was waaaay more fun than going to school! I trusted her, looked up to her and adored her, her fiancé, and Daniel. When she got married, I was a bridesmaid for her. She lived with her Dad at first then they moved to a little place of their own. Life moved on, we moved, I had exams, and then work, then marriage, I heard that she and her husband had spilt up, she was busy .... the long and the short was we lost touch. <br />
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I so regret that now. I have been looking for her the past 2-3 years. On Facebook, that kind of thing. Couldn't find her. Then today I found her ex on Facebook. So I sent him a friend request. He accepted it. We started to catch up <br />
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<br />
Then he told me... told me why I had found no trace of her. She is dead. Not just dead, but murdered. Murdered in a most awful way. I am heartbroken. She was a lovely, happy, bubbly, funny and caring woman. She was a GOOD person. She didn't deserve to die, and she most definitely didn't deserve to die the way she did.<br />
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This doesn't happen to people that I know, it happens to people in distant cities, on the news. It doesn't happen in streets where I used to play as a child, to friends of mine. Only it has, it did. <br />
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Her Dad, a lovely guy, who used to let me earn a bit of pocket money at weekends and hols by helping him on his delivery round, died a year later.I am convinced he died of a broken heart. He adored his family. <br />
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Tonight, I will go to bed, and I hope, dream of the fun times. I will not post links to the news stories surrounding her murder. Her killer was caught and received a punishment. I can't say its justice, because right now nothing could feel like justice. <br />
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Just remember guys, don't lose contact with those you care about. Or by the time you try to re-connect, it could be just too late. <br />
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RIP Sarah, RIP Dennis, I have never forgotten either of you. Never will. xxxx<br />
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<br />Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-61546892555335667152012-05-06T21:48:00.000+01:002012-05-06T21:48:38.381+01:00The Hair experiment - Update<br />
Well amazing though it sounds, this experiment is working. Not just working, but working really well. I am away from home at the moment and forgot to pack the bicarb etc, so have washed my hair once with plain water in the shower. Yet now its drying, its shiny, soft and manageable. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to pretend I haven't had moments of serious doubt, moments of actually considering reverting to the chemical solutions again. But I'm so glad I haven't. I cannot remember the last time I could brush my hair without resorting to detangle spray in conditioner, now I can get up in the morning and just comb it out with my fingers. <br />
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I really cannot praise this method enough!!!!Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-47251036642571241522012-04-28T22:30:00.001+01:002012-04-28T23:07:40.463+01:00The Birds and the Bees ....Well,knew the day would come, as it does with all children, but why do my kids always choose the most inappropriate time and place to ask those questions. <br />
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Picture the scene if you will. In the pub in Avebury, on a busy Saturday, surrounded by our friends. On the table a dozen eggs, just bought from a friend who keeps chickens. <br />
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S (daughter): if we put those in an incubator like they do at school, we can get chicks and then we can have our own chickens <br />
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Me: No we can't sweetheart, they aren't fertile eggs<br />
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S: They are mumma, if we open them there will be a chick in them<br />
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Me: No they won't, they are just eggs, nothing else<br />
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S: So how do the chicks get in them?<br />
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Me: *oh no not now* - well, you know where babies come from? Its like that<br />
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S: How ARE babies made Mumma?<br />
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Me *oh why now???* Well, the Mummy's have the egg, and the Daddy gives the Mummy a seed, and it turns into a baby<br />
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S: I see ....*ponders* so the Mummy eats the Daddy's seed and gets a baby<br />
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Me: *not wanting to give her misinformation and scar her for life* Well not quite , the daddy has a special way to give th mummy his seed<br />
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S: How? <br />
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Me: Erm, well *oh shit, here goes* well you know what boys have that girls don't?<br />
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S: No<br />
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Me: well what does your brother G have that you don't?<br />
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S: *enlightenment dawns on her face* Power Rangers!!<br />
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Me: AAAGGGGHHHHHHH <br />
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G: She does have a Power Ranger, shes got the girl one<br />
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Me: Lets discuss this when we get home shall we?<br />
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Rest of the pub : Hysterical roars of laughter<br />
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G: I know how Daddys give the seed to the Mummys, they wait til the Mummys are asleep then drop it in their mouths whilst they are snoring<br />
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Me *sob*Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-39856421134656681752012-04-28T21:51:00.000+01:002012-04-28T22:33:26.165+01:00A trip to BrizzleThis week two friends, who for their protection, I will merely refer to as R and C, and I decided to head off to the vices that is Bristol. Locally known as Brizzle. Now Brizzle is a big city, with lots and lots of shops . Which like most cities means that there is not too much room for city centre parking and what there is tends to be hard to find and pricey. So we decided that using the Park and Ride would be a much better plan. Its not difficult really, follow the satnav directions to the park and ride, park, jump on bus ..... But then that would be boring wouldn't it? Oh yes, in typical FU Fairy fashion, things did not go quite THAT smoothly. It's not our fault, no really truly it isn't. We did exactly what the sat-nav told us to do. Except it got it a little, tiny bit wrong. Like telling us to take the next right turn, just before Lidl's when it REALLY meant to take the right turn after Lidl's. So, having taken the wrong right turn, we found ourselves on a housing estate ... following the Tesco bus. In an attempt to escape the Tesco bus, we turned the opposite way to it. A short way down this new road, and still hopelessly lost, we pulled up by the side of a petrol station and carwash. Two men were stood there, so we asked them if they could please help us and direct us to the park and ride. ' Well, now moi deeears' one answered, in broadest Bristolian accent.' You are miles from it now, what you need do is, well actually, theres two ways to it, but if you go that way its a very country road and a bit windy, you'll not be liking that, so the best way to go is back down the way you be coming from, and then turn right, then keep on that road til you turn left, then stay on that road and go right then right again and follow that road all the way til you get there ' Now that's not too difficult is it? After all we are three, intelligent, sensible women, what on earth could go wrong? So off we set again, u-turned and went back down the road, turned right, and then .... well then we started nattering and talking about the man who had given us directions, imagining his grandad stood in the same spot, 80 yrs ago, leaning on a gate and chewing a straw.... he was that kind of man really. Trouble was we were so busy nattering we forgot to turn left ... and suddenly there it was ... the bloody Tesco bus!! Only this time it was turning round and heading straight for us, we skipped past and suddenly realised we were facing a dead end. EEEEEEKKKK, R who was driving, swung the car round in the wake of the bus, and to shrieks from myself and C of 'Follow that bus' we headed back, turning this way and that in pursuit of the bus, hoping to spot Lidl's ....But it wasn't Lidl's we spotted. Oh no, not us, we spotted .... THE PETROL STATION/CARWASH AND THE SAME MAN STILL STOOD OUTSIDE! We looked at each other, and started laughing. R drove past, studiously looking in the other direction, whilst C, who was front seat passenger, sank as low as she could in the seat and pretended that there was something fascinating out her window, whilst I sat in the back had to resist the urge to wave at our friendly direction giver, whilst mopping the tears of hysterical laughter that were pouring down my face. This time, we managed despite the fits of laughter to find our way and found the park and ride. Out we jumped and headed for the bus, only by this time we were all dying for a wee and C and I were dying for a smoke. So first things first, loo and smoke. Whilst waiting outside the loo, we were approached by a couple. ' When's the next bus due? and do we pay on the bus or here?' erm no idea, why not ask at the travel info office just there... hmmm it's going to be one of those days isn't it hehe The shopping trip began, and was highly succesful, well it would with fabric shop, chocolate shop and book shop, Subway and coffee in Starbucks. However one final moment of hilarity occured, as we were heading to the book shop, R noticed the church over the road, she commented on its beauty, only for a elderly gent to accost her and proceed to give her the complete history of said church .... C and I being the good friends we are, of course extracted her from this sticky situation .... yeah right, we scuttled into the coffee shop and hid behind the shelves crying with laughter!! Ah, it was a lovely day out. But next time, we may take the map instead of the sat nav pmslEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-33543822408501977172012-04-25T19:08:00.001+01:002012-04-25T19:08:09.714+01:00A hair experimentMy hair is quite simply a mess, to the point that if I don't wash and condition it every day, it ends up turning into a kind of super strength spiders web, made of wire. I did a little research and it seems that for the sake of a little, erm, inconvenience and damage to my vanity, I can have the most amazing hair!!
this is how it works ... I don't shampoo my hair .... ever ever again. Sounds gross doesn't it. But its not quite as gross as it initially sounds. Please not I didn't say I wasn't washing my hair, I said not shampooing it. Instead I am to use natural ingredients, but at the same time, wash my hair alot less.
So four days ago was the last time I used shampoo, indeed to give the old oil glands a chance, I haven't even washed it. Its not been too bad, but had got a little more greasy than I like. So I have just tried the first 'natural' wash. I started with Bicarbonate of Soda, dissolved in warm water. I tipped this over my head, then massaged it well into my scalp. This, apparently stimulates the sebum glands, which produces the oil that is your hairs natural cleaner ... after rinsing in lukewarm water, I smothered my hair in ..... Honey. Yes good old fashioned, cheaper than frozen chips, bog standard honey. Eugh? Well, you'd think so wouldn't you? You'd think that it would just turn your head into a big sticky mess, that wouldn't wash out. Wrong!! It goes on well, and after leaing it to work its magic for a few minutes, it washed out very easily. Final touch was the rinse, made up of lukewarm water and apple cider vinegar. My first thought about the vinegar was that I didn't want to smell like a chip shop, but actually it really doesn't smell , well not once its rinsed out with fresh water.
Hairs not dried yet, trying to avoid hairdryer too, but feels very clean and soft. We will see if it works, its kinda scary too. Have become so reliant on the chemical stuff that such a radical change seems weird. Still time will tell if it works.
watch this space for updates!!!Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-81864053657965600192012-01-13T22:24:00.002+00:002012-01-13T22:27:30.829+00:00what to blogI don't blog enough, I know I don't. To be honest I wonder sometimes if I shouldn't just delete this blog .... but then again, when I do blog its good ... isn't it?<br /><br /><br /> So why don't I blog more? I dunno, maybe cos I think my life really isn't all that exciting, or that when stuff does happen, its not something I can blog about. <br /><br /> But then what is the point of a blog, if not the careless, meandering path of my rather muddled brain ?Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-68778330945084744762011-11-29T15:15:00.002+00:002011-11-29T15:18:04.321+00:00This made me cry ....It's not often that it happens, but today I cried, in fact I sat with tears streaming down my face...... With laughter. <br /><br /> Blame Dan over at 0ddness blog lol.<br /><br /> want to see what I found so funny??<br /><br /> Click <a href="http://www.0ddness.co.uk/2011/11/please-leave-now.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+0ddness+%280ddness...%29">here</a> to see roflEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-55714663450557110542011-11-02T14:46:00.001+00:002011-11-02T14:48:05.965+00:00ShitShit happens... thats what they say isn't it. Well shit has happened and we have to deal with it. We know the truth and in time so will the rest of the world. <br /><br /> now to deal with it and to repair the damage.... hope we canEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-70012190417859310842011-09-01T11:41:00.003+01:002011-09-01T12:00:09.957+01:00Back again ... for now
<br /> I make no apologies for not posting much over the past few weeks. Its been the school holidays, and we have been exceptionally busy with the children. That would not usually stop me from posting, though blogging has been extremely sporadic over the past year or so, but we have been on the road, which did seriously limit me in posting anywhere on the net.
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<br /> Well, now we are home, it is almost time for the children to return to school. So its back to being confined to barracks, limited to travelling at the weekends, and generally pretending to be normal for a bit.
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<br /> So what is new with us?
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<br /> Skye- We have had a few scares with her, but she is doing ok now. She had, at her own request, her hair dyed purple/pink over the hols, fortunately despite me using the wrong dye, it has now almost washed out, could of been interesting explaining that away to her head teacher if she had turned up bright purple hey!!
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<br />Garin- Garin, is his normal cheeky, lively self. Hair-wise he wanted a mohawk, like Daddy and Uncle Soggy have, so that is what he got at the start of the holidays, which later turned bright blue hehe. Decided that as the dye has all but gone, we are going to let him keep the mohawk, which he is over the moon about.
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<br /> Gary - usual self ;-)
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<br />Me - Grumpy, in pain, and working hard ... yep normal here too BUT in other news, I am now offering Tarot card readings, at the moment in return for a donation (set amount) to the Childrens Heart Federation so if you would like a reading, let me know. All readings in Wiltshire, face to face, in very rare and exceptional cases I will do readings by phone, but this is not usual practice for me. Depending on distance/timing etc, I can occasionally do readings in other parts of the UK, but you will need to contact me for details.
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<br /> I will be setting various things up in the next few weeks, including a Facebook page, web page etc. Details to follow as it is all set up.
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<br />Meantime, if you would like a reading and do not have my number, please email me on druidofthehill@yahoo.co.uk Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-40929702984590724472011-06-21T21:36:00.002+01:002011-06-21T22:17:46.282+01:00Could it happen again?I write this post, as a Traveller and a Hippy. <br /><br /> It was the Solstice celebrations this week, over the weekend we camped up with a number of other friends and fellow travellers. We were out of the way, not close to local homes. We were clearing up after ourselves, as well as picking up after the tourists that came to stare at us. We were breaking no laws. We were merely parked up, chatting, laughing, cooking and sharing. We were peaceful and calm .....<br /><br /> So why did the local constabulary feel the need to harass us, repeatedly, frequently and in some cases aggressively. What did we do?? Nothing! Yet numerous times a day the police arrived and either drove or walked along the lines of vehicles, noting down number plates. More than once, as one police vehicle drove off, another appeared. the visits continued throughout the nights. Backed up of course by the force helicopter hovering overhead frequently. I've had reports that things up at Stonehenge were even worse, with officers giving drivers orders to park in a certain place, then another officer coming along moments later and ordering them away to yet another place, with a brusque 'can't park here' <br /><br /> My other half, spoke to a few of the police, one , when asked why he was taking our number plates, yet again, answered ' its orders, I've been ordered to do it, so I'm doing it' I asked him, aren't you curious? Don't you want to know? Why are you blindly following without thinking about this? <br /> <br /> This particular officer, could not understand why we were so wound up. <br /><br /> Why were we? Why are we upset? Why, as we are doing no wrong, are we worrying about it?<br /><br /> The answer is simple. Operation Solstice aka <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Beanfield">The Battle of the Beanfield</a> <br /><br /> In essence, on Jun 1st 1985, a convoy of travellers heading for Stonehenge, was attacked by the police. trapped and herded into a field, they had no way out. Then the police attacked. Men and women of all ages, pregnant women, mothers with babes in arms and toddlers clinging to their skirts, were attacked by the police. Beaten wioth truncheons, dragged through the broken windows of the living vehicles. Children were torn from their parents arms, the parents flung into police vans and driven to stations all over the UK. Many spent days in cells, unable to find out where their children were and if they were safe. <br /><br /> Ultimately Wiltshire Police were sued by individuals from the convoy. They won but the damages that were awarded soon disappeared in legal fees. <br /><br /> But that was all 26 yrs ago right? Surely the travelling community should be 'over it' by now? <br /><br /> Maybe they would be, if the attitude of the police had changed. In my dealings with the police since getting the truck, we have found that its roughly 50/50 good cop/bad cop. Some our cool, happy to chat and laugh with us. Some our arrogant, rude and aggressive, positively goading a reaction. Which they rarely get as most travellers are used to such attitudes and simply walk away. <br /><br /><br /> But could their be a repeat of the Beanfield? <br /><br /> Frighteningly I have to say, I think there could be. As in 85. we are now living under a Tory gov't. As in 85, the media are allowed to print whatever they please, openly mis-portraying the travelling community, to turn public opinion. The police are being ever greater powers to prevent gatherings, ever greater powers to arrest on flimsy excuses, ever greater power to abuse their powers ... <br /><br /> It scares me. Let us hope I'm wrong, lets hope that the police will recruit only stable, controlled men and women, who will not misuse the powers given to them ..... <br /><br /> Hope .. its all we do haveEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-37779964450366904602010-09-28T22:30:00.003+01:002010-09-28T22:46:40.441+01:00I am amazing .....I have a husband who loves me, who I love with all me soul, a gang of gorgeous, happy well adjusted kids, and the best friends in all the world. I have belief in things you know nothing of. <br /><br /> I am H.A.P.P.Y ..... and you are not going to put even the slightest dint in that happiness. Because you are truly not worth it. One day, and despite all that has gone on, all the hurt and pain you have caused to me, I hope, and truly hope, that one day you can become happy, well adjusted and have a life which makes you content. Not just because then you might actually piss off and leave me alone, but because I want you to be happy. I do not believe that trying to harrass me again will make you happy, its just another symptom of your own misery, trying to attack those whose happiness you envy. trying to drag them down so you are not alone in miseryville. Well, sorry and all that, but I am not planning on heading to miseryville, but I hope and pray that you can find your way out of it. <br /><br /> Happiness is out there, its yours, if you will only see that the only path to reach it lies within yourself. Light the torch, pick up your pack and prepare for a long, hard slog... it will be worth it if you make the effortEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-80033200557063707112010-09-07T19:10:00.002+01:002010-09-07T21:19:14.780+01:00Saying No ... are heart kids spoilt?Are Heart Kids spoilt? A discussion a friend and I had recently has really hit home today. <br /><br /> Do we, as heart parents, we asked spoil our heart kids. Do they get more than they would do if they were healthy? Do they get away with behaviour that they would not do otherwise? Yes we decided, whilst we set limits, the heart kids to tend to get a little spoilt. But hey we decided they deserved it ... <br /><br /> Actually, I think it goes a little deeper than that. Heart parents spoil heart children because in many cases, they simply want to pack all the love, gifts and treats they can into the time they have. Only too well do we all know how precious and fragile the grip on life can be at times. How, in spite of the best efforts of doctors and parents, time can be limited. Who cares if they are spoilt, when their time here is so short? Put in that perspective, its hardly surprising is it?<br /><br /> But what about heart children who are not life limited? The ones who, fates willing, will live a near normal life, with one or two surgeries? The ones, pre op, that are not yet ill enough to need that surgery, but not quite as fit as their peers? Do they deserve to be spoilt? To get whatever (within reason) they want, whatever the cost? <br /><br /> Yep, I think they do. Why? because of all the things that you HAVE to say no to. Today Skye came home from school bubbling with excitement. She had a list of after school clubs to choose from. Cookery, Bible, hama beads, dance, gymnastics ..... and football. Skye, being Skye wants to go to football club. Its free, so why should I deny her? Because its outdoors, they wear lightweight clothing and it involves alot of running around. <br /><br /> Now any one of those on its own, would probably be a concern, but not a reason for saying an absolute No. She is doing pretty well at the moment. And I am so so grateful that she is. That she can run. So many heart children can barely even walk let alone run. But even my little princess has her limitations. The combination of the cold weather we can now expect as we move towards winter, the flimsy clothing of football, and the running around would spell disaster. As the cold bites, Skye gets bluer, her SATs drop, but being a stubborn moo (can't think where she gets it from) she will be determined to soldier on, to keep up with her peers. As she needs more oxygen to run, she will get bluer ... and who knows what happens next? I do not want to even think about it. <br /><br /> So tonight, for the first time in a long while I have had to say No to something Skye really wants to do. Skye was upset, I was upset. I sat with her, explained, and she knew I was right. She said she understood. But it doesn't stop me wanting to cry, that my little girl who is so tough, so brave and so WELL cannot do what she wants :-( <br /><br /> Am going to have a chat with the school tommorow, see if we can come up with some ideas, to help her deal with this. Maybe we can find a happy medium, so she can do something.. or maybe I will take her somewhere special to make up for it? Buy her a treat and spoil her just that little bit more. <br /><br /> I add to this another little thought. Another reason for wanting to spoil our heart children. Today a very beautiful little girl, should of started school. She was beautiful, brave, tough and she had a knackered heart valve. She had complications and ended up needing a heart transplant. She was fortunate, one of the lucky ones, she got her new heart. And she went home, to live life to the full. And live life she did!! Tragically, little Zoe Chambers had just one year of living a full life, before she passed away, in the loving arms of her mum. Today Zoe, should of put on a little uniform, marched into school, giving her mum that cheeky smile. Probably sending mum packing so she could get on with the fun. And Zoe, I hope that up in the Angels playground today, you did exactly that. <br /><br /> In Zoe's honour, in honour of all the other little heart angels who should be walking through the school gates, can you please please sign the organ donor register? But Zoe died I hear you say. Yes she did. BUT she had a year, a year of fun, mischief, of NORMALITY. Her family have a years worth of happy memories to counter the bad ones, photos and the knowledge that, because of the generosity of one family, one donor, Zoe Chambers was able to live her life to the max. Isn't it worth it? I think so. I am sure that Zoes family feel the same. For Zoe,<a href="http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp"> please sign up NOW </a>Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-11120263517632709532010-08-12T11:33:00.004+01:002010-08-12T12:00:08.993+01:00Freaked, head out of sand.<strong>WARNING: Deals with heart related matters, including cardiac arrest. Could be distressing to some of my readers. </strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have ARVC, I have a condition that could kill me. I know this. I live with it. I am one of the very lucky ones. I was diagnosed before I actually had a cardiac arrest. Most cases are not diagnosed until someone dies. I am LUCKY. I am alive and with the ICD I will not become another statistic. Most days I just get on with life. Due to the surgery I have lost partial use of one arm. I cannot drive, fly a plane, sky dive or go on a roller coaster, but heck I am alive so whats all that matter? <br /><br /> Actually 99% of the time nowadays I bury my head in the sand and forget about it. Or hide from it. But every so often something happens to kick me back to reality. last night was one of those occasions. Sat watching 'Bondi rescue' On Sky+ ... suddenly a man was pulled rom the ocean. Dead. The life guards had a defib, so they set to work and miraculously, they resusuitated him. He was rushed to hospital, where tests showed he has the same as me. So he had an ICD implanted. Lucky Guy. Very very lucky man, not that he has it, nor that the cardiac arrest happened, but that he was close to men who knew their job, who had taken the time to train to use the defib, who cared enough to keep going when all seemed hopeless. That they even has a defib there was pretty amazing too !! <br /><br /> It was good to see, see someone live where there should of been no chance. Good to see the Bondi Lifeguards do what they were trained to do and to keep fighting to save a total stranger, what heroes they are. <br /><br /><br /> But it was so freaky, to effectively watch what could of been my own death, all the what if's are playing on my mind. Yeah, yeah I know I should pull myself together and count my blessings that I am still alive, that I was diagnosed in time. That despite the buggered arm, and the restrictions I can live a pretty normal life. That I can see my children grow up. But my head is still dwelling on it. <br /><br /> Below is the link to the video copy of the show. Please be aware this could be very distressing to some so watch with caution (or don't watch!) <br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hfrv7ZzLcJc?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hfrv7ZzLcJc?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-10110886721745967202010-07-15T10:36:00.004+01:002010-07-15T10:55:59.512+01:00Damned if they do, damned if they don'tSometimes I really feel for head teachers. It seems that whatever they do they are going to be damned by somebody.<a href="http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8272485.Parents_kept_in_dark_over_pervert_caretaker/?ref=mr"> A report in our local rag today</a> tells of the anger of parents at two schools, after it emerged that the school caretaker had been convicted of child porn offences. <br /><br /> The parents are not, according to the rag, angry at the pervert, no no, they are angry at the headteachers for not telling them as soon as they caretaker was arrested. <br /><br /> Whilst I can understand them being upset and worried about their children, do they not realise WHY the head didn't tell them? Simple, because if they had, then the pervert in question could have claimed an unfair trial, due to rumour and supposition in the local community and walked away free to commit further offences.<br /><br /> The Great British Justice system often sucks, but in this case it did exactly what it said on the tin and a guilty man was convicted. <br /><br /> The LAW said that the head(s) were not allowed to tell the parents, so why oh why are the poor sods getting the blame now? <br /><br /> Suppose they had told the parents, and the pervert had walked free as a result? Oh yes they would of been blamed again. Give them a break ffs. They are doing a job, to the best of their ability and within the confines of the law. End of. <br /><br /><br /> And if you feel like blaming anyone, why not the sick bastard who committed the offences? Lets hope that his sentencing in August reflects, for once, the gravity of the crime and the effect on the victimsEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-43891408771459773922010-06-11T15:23:00.002+01:002010-06-11T15:29:21.602+01:00Choosing a new phone providerRight, I currently have two phones on two networks. <br /><br /> I have an internet camera phone (prety basic) on Orange. <br /><br /> I have a very basic phone on vodafone.<br /><br /> Orange - I currently pay 30 GBP a month on PAYG for unlimited texts and internet. <br /> Drawback being that the internet is reguarly off, get error messages such as 'memory full' and it kinda pisses me off lol<br /><br /> Vodafone - pay 5 GBP a month for free calls to three nominated vodafone numbers (Gary, mum, brother) If I pay 5 gbp a week get free calls and texts at weekends (thought only 60 minutes allowed to a mobile grrr) <br /><br /> I WANT <br /><br /> Unlimited texts<br /> Unlimited Internet<br /> reliable Internet connection <br /><br /><br /> So oh loyal bloggers, what do I go for? Is there a better deal out there for me? Must be on PAYG :D <br /><br /> TIA xxxEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-55102894759824878162010-04-17T16:29:00.003+01:002010-04-17T16:59:44.161+01:00Disabled Army Veteran gives Anne Snelgove the Truth ...So there we were sitting in the garden, Gary and I, our good friends F and T, enjoying the sunshine, drinking tea and chatting. <br /><br /> The peace of a quiet Saturday, no 'Fat Alberts' to disturb the tranquility.<br /><br /> "Oooh I like to see voters in the garden' came a strident tone, as the Labour Parlimentary Candidate, Anne Snelgrove, came striding across the road, smiling as only a politician can. <br /><br /> "We've met before haven't we?" she gushed to F, as he leant on his walking stick (courtesy of the his army career) <br /><br /> The rest of us exchanged looks of total horror, as she shook hands (well fingertips) with us all. <br /><br /> "So where did we meet then?" she grinned<br /><br /> "At the Cenotaph" F replied through gritted teeth<br /><br /> " OH yes I remember"<br /><br /> "Yes when you insulted me" growled F, obviously not very happy<br /><br /> Anne, politicians smile never wavering for a second, " Oh?" <br /><br /> So F reminded her. Of the incident last Remembrance Day, when he and T had gone to the Cenotaph, after all the parade and pomp had gone, to pay their respects to all F's fallen comrades. And how she, Anne, was there, with a TV crew, who demanded that F and T move away quickly, straight away in fact, as they wanted to interview Ms Snelgrove. <br /><br /> "Oh I wasn't near you, it wasn't anything to do with me" <br /><br /> "You were stood next to the reporter" F reminded her<br /><br />" Oh you know what the press are like" she smiled at F, " I hope it never happens again" <br /><br /> With a final patronising comment on T's pentagram badge, off Anne went like a ship in full sail. <br /><br /> Where is the apology Anne? Where is the assurance that you take on board what happened, and will ensure that it will absolutely NOT happen again? <br /><br /> My opinion, for what its worth, you are a career politician. Not a care for what your consituents think, want or need, as long as you get the power you crave.<br /><br /> And how come you didn't speak to Gary and I, the ones in the doorway, obviously the residents. Oh we didn't warrant a chat did we? Not even a goodbye as you left. <br /><br /> Personally speaking, the chances of me voting for you .....? About the same as you plaiting fog to be honest.<br /><br /> I have not forgotten the very rude and abrupt email you sent me, when I dared to remind you that you had promised to sign a Private Members Bill, and after three weeks your name still had not appeared on the list!!<br /><br /> But hey what do I matter? I am just a voter, one of the people who gets to choose if you keep your job. In my honest opinion, you got this job on the back of Julia Drown, who genuinely cared, who worked damn hard for Swindon. <br /><br /> Lets hope that post May 6th, we get a MP who cares more about this town and the people in it, than they do about themselves and their owh selfish desires. <br /><br /><br /><br />Pissed Off of Toothill<br /><br />(PS BTW was this your first visit to Toothill? I certailnly have never seen you here before... but then again, we have never had such a crucial election before have we???)Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-87950605108471517122009-07-05T14:35:00.002+01:002009-07-05T14:56:23.229+01:00Watching the news --- aren't the media a funny old bunch??Just in case you have been living in a bubble recently,. Michael Jackson is dead....<br /><br /> And every single darn day since he died we have been bombarded by reports on every aspect of his life, death, and all things between and beyond. <br /><br /> Now I appreciate that there are many MJ fans out there, fair play to you, personally I couldn't stand the man, but hey he was not a bad singer. BUT Fgs do we really need to know EVERYTHING???? Was it really appropriate or respectful to film his body being takemn to the coroners from the hospital? Helicopters being sent over to film the body in body bag being loaded into a van was in my opinion, sick. What happened to respect?<br /><br /> respect by the way, in my book anyway, doesn't include lying!!! I have been honest on FB and in day to day life, about my opinion of MJ> I have been honest when I say that IMO re the child abuse allegations, I think he bought himself out of trouble. Being found not guilty is different from having the charges dropped after paying an obcene amount of cash to the family of the 'victim'. <br /><br /> The most frequent bleat from the MJ fan camp has been ' oh but he wasn't found guilty' ' it never went to court' blah blah and so according to them he was innocent. Well by that logic, was Hitler innocent of genocide? Was Fred West innocent of multiple murders?? They both avoided justice in court by killing themselves. MJ avoided justice in court by paying hush money to the purported victim. ( and justice could indeed of found him innocent, after all if there was no evidence he would of been found innocent wouldn't he???) <br /><br /><br /> The most sickening remark I have seen though, coming from several sources, have been along the lines of ' well he probably did do it, but hey the kid got lots of money so its ok aint it???' <br /><br /> I'm sorry but WTF??? So by that logic abusing a child is fine as long as you pay the child concerned lots of money ..... isn't that called prostition? Is child prostittion not illegal in the western world??? <br /><br /> Anyway guilty or inncoent, he is dead, and it is surely time to let him go. If not for his sake then for the sake of his kids. Three kids, who regardless of their fathers guilt or innocence, loved him. They deserve the right to mourn him in peace. Not have this all turned into the bloody circus it is at the moment. <br /><br /> Mind you this is just a <a href="http://emsway.blogspot.com/2009/02/excuse-me-if-this-turns-into-rant-am.html">repeat of what I whinged about</a> a while back isn't it!!Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-77358704851615800722009-06-22T07:52:00.002+01:002009-06-22T08:09:51.487+01:00Hospital .... againWell, April the 9th I was readmitted to hospital in Bristol. The ICD that was implanted in Feb had as always in my case gone wrong, and one of the wires had managed to dislodge itself from the right ventricle. So in I went, hung around all day (again) and finaly had the op done to reposition the wire. <br /><br /> Only at 10 pm that night (being the night before the easter bank holiday weekend, they did a quick test.... failure, a quick chest xray revealed that once again the wire has dislodged and as a result I was to stayt in until they could operate a third time. Unfortunatly, as previously mentioned, it was easter bank holiday weekend, so it was 5 days beofre I even got to see the consultant and a further 2 beofre they could actually do the op!! Finally though on 16th April they managed to do the op, and this time usisng a different type of wire, they were finally succesful woohoooooo. <br /><br /> Am making a very slow recovery this time, its been over two months and I am still not fully recovered, but hey I am getting there. So there you go, just one of many reasons why I have not updated the blog recently :DEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-43898627362545950152009-06-22T07:29:00.002+01:002009-06-22T07:34:31.155+01:00Yes I am still alive ... honest!!Been a while hasn't it. Apologies for that. I have had to have my pc fixed, and now its home am having to slowly re-add everything, all my favourites, etc. But we are getting there ..... slowly!!<br /><br /> Been pretty busy here one way or the toher, and later today I will, I promise faithfully, sit down and blog about all the excitement we have had. It was Summer Solstice over the weekend, so quite a few pics to add on that one :D<br /><br /> Speak laters loves ya xxxxxEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-82983246228844597282009-03-09T08:00:00.000+00:002009-03-09T08:00:00.799+00:00Musical Mondayjust cos I likes it :D <br /><br /> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KXewIR7Y7cc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KXewIR7Y7cc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-25430460309477379942009-03-05T16:57:00.002+00:002009-03-05T17:16:08.180+00:00Crufts and animal rights activistsToday marks the start of the biggest and best (IMO ) dog show in the world. Crufts!!<br /><br /> There is a lot of controversy surrounding this years show, due in no small part to a BBC 'documentary' about pedigree dogs and pedigree dog breeders. The documentary was, again imo, very one sided, poorly produced and appalingly damaging to all dog breeds in the UK. The documentrary investigated dog breeders, who bred dogs with genetic defects, but instead of balancing this with the breeders who work tirelessly to eradicate the same genetic defects, it left the viewer thinking that ALL breeders are the same. they are not. Yes, there are bad breeders, there is no avoiding that fact, but there are also a huge number who do their damndest to improve the breeds they are involved in. <br /><br /> Now, as a result of this show, the BBC then withdrew its coverage of Crufts on TV. No great loss in some peoples eyes, they used to be a right royal pita, spooking the dogs and getting under everyones feet!! <br /><br /> Also as a result of the programme, animal rights activists have threatened to sabotage the show, by releasing dogs from their benches and crates. These people claim to love and care about animals so much that they will do anything to protect them. In which case why on earth release dogs? What happens to the poor ruddy dog? It gets scared, lost, possibly escape from the building and onto the many busy roads and get killed. All of which is in the dogs best interests how exactly? In the same way as some years ago the same type of people released mink into the wild from mink farms. The mink were fine, they were free, however as they were not native to the UK they did immense damage regionally to many species of native animals. <br /><br /> I have no problem in the main with animal rights campaigners and activists. But the actions of a few do so much damage. they do not protect or support the wellbeing of the animals,instead cause immense damage and suffering. In the same way that a minority of breeders are rogues so a minority of animal rights campaigners are rogues. Please do not paint all breeders as evil animal torturers and don't paint all animal rights activists as manical idiots who cause damage and suffering to the animals. Its just a minority<br /><br /> However saying that, both breeders and animal rights campaigners need to weed out the rogue elements within their own ranks. Breeders and in particular the Kennel Club need to insist on only healthy dogs being used for breeding. The Kennel Club needs to stop registering pups that are not screened and proved healthy. that would go a long way towards helping solve the problem. Campaigners need to weed out the extremists, refuse to be associated with them, and iof they know they have broken the law report them. Maybe then all parties involved would realise they are actually singing from the smae song sheet!!!Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-466250441963224922009-03-05T13:02:00.002+00:002009-03-05T13:11:45.345+00:00All ChangeAs you can see, I have changed the blog template again. I think the old one was quite hard to read at times and certainly it wasn'y easy to see photographs, so its all change. I have removed all the widgets for now, may or may not reinstall those. Will add more stuff down the sidebar too. Think I will leave the cbox off for now too as it was not being used much, except for the occasional spammer!! <br /><br /> Feel free to add comments, tell me what you think, love it, hate it , meh .... any suggestions welcomed but not necessarily acted on :DEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-22252282283730295622009-03-05T10:42:00.004+00:002009-03-05T13:12:36.764+00:00She is growing !!Many of my readers know how hard it has been to get Skye to grow over the years, but here is proof, she has grown again :D She went off to the school disco the other week, all dolled up in her best togs, bit of make up etc, she is soooo girly, where the heck she gets it from I really do not know rofl Second pic is the two of them sat on doorstep. Garin is growing too Hehe <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFb3uD9moZlJLTZkQXRWOr7ixgYE43sGwoLpUpP65CeMJnoZlhPEGSpzeVbkdllx-v8MSkcKu98HVW3dsGwuf_g4jyHo-XdvJZIM7zG0KNDuqXEyk3xGFQH_q19jNMJgBJ5En/s1600-h/Feb09+168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFb3uD9moZlJLTZkQXRWOr7ixgYE43sGwoLpUpP65CeMJnoZlhPEGSpzeVbkdllx-v8MSkcKu98HVW3dsGwuf_g4jyHo-XdvJZIM7zG0KNDuqXEyk3xGFQH_q19jNMJgBJ5En/s320/Feb09+168.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309680502548894514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti1RKFZvZNmuzlgUCH5zjbeJdthGN8Tj4Xz8XkHsFxuF_mTrWMhoBr2pDJq8X_p9ZN9OYznbgMSR3Er_DIGk4vP9NwZWYuB3bnZ2cuOhH5I23G1q286cmjOVfRNK_pakIABg1/s1600-h/Feb09+200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti1RKFZvZNmuzlgUCH5zjbeJdthGN8Tj4Xz8XkHsFxuF_mTrWMhoBr2pDJq8X_p9ZN9OYznbgMSR3Er_DIGk4vP9NwZWYuB3bnZ2cuOhH5I23G1q286cmjOVfRNK_pakIABg1/s320/Feb09+200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309680494396508258" /></a>Em's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33173532.post-35426344986553459222009-03-04T16:35:00.002+00:002009-03-04T17:06:09.882+00:00A bit of thisI was going to post a long ranty post here, about people who make out their kids are much sicker than they really are in order to get some attention, particuarly those who have children who are 'fixed', whose child is the healthiest you have ever seen, yet insinuate that they are life limited. As I said I WAS going to post a ranty post but I am not ( and what I have written thus far is not ranting, well not by my standards hehe) because it would do no good. The sick mooses that say crap like that about their kids are so fecked in the head that they wouldn't get it anyway!!One day they will get a wake up call ... maybe. In the mean time I am going to talk about .... <br /><br /><br /> Actually I have lots of stuff to waffle on about so will be back later when the kids are abed to do some proper waffling, subjects could include Crufts, animal rights activists, the weather (well I am english :D), families, charity shops, books ... <br /><br /> Any other subjects you care to discuss?? <br /><br /> Cya l8r lya xxEm's wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13493773338629350149noreply@blogger.com0