Posts

With these hands

-
Image
This year we lost an amazing woman, I'm so sad to say that my mother in law, Diana Jane passed away.  I'm not going to write a big post as nothing I could say would do her justice, but I wanted to share two of my favourite photos. I asked Aaron if he was happy for me to share them along with the following poem that was read at her funeral.  I'd never heard this poem before but Pam Ayres was a favourite of Di's and I think the words are just perfect for her. With These Hands by Pam Ayres  With these hands so soft and clean,  On which I stroke the Vaseline,  I soothe the fever, cool the heat,  Lift verrucas out of feet,  Slap the plasters on the knees,  Dig the garden, prune the trees,  And if it doesn’t work at all,  I throw the mower at the wall.  With these hands I crack the eggs,  Floss my teeth, shave my legs,  Write the cheques, count the fivers,  Make rude signs at piggish drivers,  Clean the goldfish, light the fires,  Pump up half a dozen tyres,  Feed the hamster
Post a Comment
Read more

13 years in Cyprus and time for a trip

-
Image
This week sees our 13th anniversary of our move to Cyprus. On 26th November 2009 we ran through Gatwick airport desperately trying not to miss our flight to Larnaca with 3 suitcases, 3 cabin cases, a pushchair and car seat, and of course a slightly confused 6 month old Leo!  Strangely on the 26th November this year I will be flying back to Gatwick for a week's visit for the first time in almost 10 years. (With less baggage, no baby and hopefully not running late this time!) 2019 was an obvious milestone for us, and I wrote about it in my "10 years in Cyprus" post so I will try not to repeat myself by reminiscing on our time here. The last couple of years have been lacking in visitors or major events apart from the obvious so I've not got too much more to add so far.  You can also read the story of our move here "Let's move to Cyprus"  written as we approached our 5th Cyprus anniversary, in which Aaron first brought up the idea of moving whilst we were w
Post a Comment
Read more

The one where we got a dog

-
Image
I'm gifting you another post just in case I wake up tomorrow and the urge has passed.  I'm also hanging my head in shame and apologizing for using the word 'gifted', the phrase enrages me as much as a friend of mine is incensed by the existence of tomato ketchup - I mean what the hell is the problem, you don't like it, don't eat it! Well, it's been a over a year since I blogged (not including the last post but I've literally just hit publish on that so that doesn't count)   and therefore it's hard to know where to start. We've had birthdays, and a holiday, and covid and other stuff that is not immediately coming to mind but the biggest news is..... WE HAVE A DOG!!! Meet Roxi.... If you know us, you would have undoubtedly be bored of the many times we have talked about wanting to get a dog over the years.  Aaron and I have wanted one for so long, maybe Aaron more than me as I was more worried about it all, but I did strongly feel that despite
Post a Comment
Read more

Bored and Blogging

-
Image
 Over a year has passed since I wrote a blog post here and after all this time I thought I was finally done with it, but today I've felt restless and bored, yeah I could have tidied out a random cupboard or baked a cake but I chose to do a bit of work admin followed by an unhealthy amount of time randomly scrolling through Instagram.  I finally got bored of that too and I even did all the ironing and put all the washing away.  I've been used to running at a hundred miles an hour all summer and now I've ground to a sudden halt and I'm not quite sure what to do.  I definitely wasn't planning on blogging, I absolutely loved this blog for so many years, and it got me to where I am today but I used to write freely without thought of who was reading and what they might think.  I'd merrily sit on the balcony with a vodka or three and type whatever came into my head.   I didn't know too many people here in Cyprus and while at first I felt like an anonymous blogger,
Post a Comment
Read more

The one where I picked up a pencil

-
Image
Did you know that if you wait long enough for a blog post, another is sure to follow it right up! While I wouldn't go as far as saying I have the blogging bug again,  I think it would take a bit more than two posts,  I did fancy writing another.   I thought I'd share something that I was surprised I could do... For years I have said that I'm no good at art, my go to response has always been 'I couldn't even draw a stick man'  and when Aaron started drawing last year out of lockdown boredom I didn't even consider joining him.  However, in an attempt to encourage the boys to do a 'Draw with Rob' video on YouTube I decided to attempt a drawing,  I assumed it would be terrible but therefore at least make them feel better.   Our first attempt was the 'Gregosaurus' and all three of our attempts were awesome,  I was genuinely surprised how well we had all done.  Spurred on by my initial success I attempted the Unicorn .... I tried a couple more, s
1 comment
Read more

Time for a little update

-
Image
Hello, my long lost blog readers, just when you thought I'd left you all I'm back for a random blog post or two! I'd been quite happy with not blogging for ages this time with the other things that I've got going on, but I was looking up an old post the other day and realised that after all the years of blogging, hundreds of posts, comments, shares etc, that there was no way I could leave it with the last post being about Fruit Pasta   - I mean what a terrible way to go! I thought I didn't have much to update you on, especially as it seems strange to blog about every little thing these days,  but of course we've had birthdays, and the odd day out (although nothing major due to  a bit of a pandemic going on!)    We've both been double jabbed  - ( I don't want your opinions on it, just saying!) and this means we have our 'safepasses'  and can go to shops and restaurants by showing it to gain entry,  however because Leo is over 12 now he has to be
1 comment
Read more

Slimming World Dessert - Fruit Pasta

-
Image
You have read that correctly,  the title of this post is indeed Slimming World Fruit Pasta.  You are also perfectly entitled to think that I have gone completely crazy as you wouldn't be alone in those thoughts.  Over my Slimming World years I've tried many things, some only once and others that have become a staple part of my diet even when I'm not following the SW plan.   Lots of them are very sensible,  things that many people like that I'd just never thought to try before such as butternut squash, cous cous, and spinach all of which I regularly enjoy now.  Some of the things are more 'diet-y'  like cauliflower rice or courgetti (not that I've tried that, but I would be happy to) and some are a bit more odd such as lasagne doritos,  or 'Smash potato scones'   but I've never been more amused by a suggestion than I was when I saw a photo of Fruity Pasta on pinterest yesterday.  The idea of fruit and pasta isn't new of course,  I used to thin
Post a Comment
Read more