A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 15th February 2013

Outside my window...today is a restricted view because I've had to pull all of the outside blinds down to cover the windows whilst the sun is at its hottest. Currently the temperature is 30 degrees celcius, which isn't too bad and thankfully the peak for today. In sitting in the dining room for no particular reason than my laptop was here and so I thought I'd sit with it for a while to keep it company. 

I can see the plants all looking decidedly thirsty, but they are going to have to wait until it cools down a little before I venture with the hose. Thankfully we've had a wet winter here (well for these parts anyway) and the 11,000 litre water tank is keeping them alive and of course my patience. The trouble being how long I have to stand  to make my way around everything. I can virtually hear them slurp and gulp as I go, so I do feel I'm a ministering angel...on my own personal mission. I've brushed and cleaned the al-fresco area (YET AGAIN) but unfortunately my blackbirds have developed a drinking problem (hic) and are constantly visiting the vine. This wouldn't be a problem but for the mess that falls through the lattice canopy! I'd like for them to come down to collect the grapes that have fallen before they get squooshed and the wasps appear for the juice, but they don't seem to have received that particular memo!

After the tree removal and hedge trimming earlier in the week, the pool now has a thin floaty layer of conifer bits! I was hoping that they would miraculously make their way into the filter box, but that doesn't appear to be happening....ho hum! The birds and plants seem to be working against me.

I'm going to have to scoop across the top to collect them before anyone can go for a dip. Although I'm trying to come up with ingenious games and devices so that anyone entering the pool has either a drag net attached to their person...or they push a net along with their nose. So far no-one has taken up my idea...I can't think why?

There's also Mufftypup's well loved ball sitting abandoned...she obviously wanted to play and then realised it was too hot! I really should throw it away but she's had this particular one since her puppy days. I'm sure I would be brought before some governing board or animal cruelty council if I posted a photo of this ball...(I do have one but then I decided I'd better not let anyone see it. But she LOVES it...and who am I to deny her?!?!

I am thinking...I've got so much blog visiting to do, which I hope to catch up on.......plus answering all you lovely people who have kindly taken time out to drop me a line. (I always try to reply quickly but I'm aware I'm behind at the moment. Apologies if I haven't go to you yet... but I will. 

I can't tell you how thrilled I am when I see a new follower, or have a comment waiting or even just to know you're out there. I know I do natter and sometimes I get carried away and go on and on...hence the blog name of Neesie Natters...so I thank you. The males in this house tend to zone out and switch off once I'm on a roll...typical males, although I shouldn't generalise ~ sorry! 

I am thankful...for friends. Even though I've travelled around the globe for many years, it's been wonderful to stay connected and in touch with friends that I've met along the way.

In the kitchen...well it's all very tidy...clear surfaces sweetie! There hasn't been any baking or any new recipes, or experiments for months (even with me watching Masterchef Professionals) because quite frankly when it gets hot, the last thing I want to do is put the oven on! Shameless I know but there you have it! 

I'd much rather sit and watch someone else hot under the collar being shouted out than me. 

Oops...I forgot there's a packet of hot cross buns. I saw them earlier when shopping and couldn't resist. So apparently Easter must be on it's way. I'll enjoy one with my afternoon cuppa.

I am wearing...apparently I'm having a grey day, although I have changed since this morning. I'm now wearing a grey t-shirt vest and grey capri shorts...all every exciting eh? Nothing on my feet as usual...I love to have bare feet and walk around the house and garden without thinking of putting something on, until that is I get a sharp reminder! Normally a seed pod or broken snail shell (yuk!)

I am creating...a silk painting. Well that is to say at least I'm creating it in my mind. I just need to dedicate some time to see if it comes to fruition now.

I am going...to tackle clipping Mufftypup as soon as I've finished here. It's going to be fun I'm sure :-$

She doesn't mind the clippers but just don't touch my paws! I've got visions of a well groomed body but with fluffy boots. A little like the old fur moon boots if anyone can remember that far back. 

I may well have to call for reinforcements when I get to the legs! I need at least two pairs of arms!   

I am wondering...if 10 people read this notice as it suggests, will I help save a life? It's too important not to share...so please take a moment to read. This is NOT a joke.

Stroke has a new indicator! They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:
During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.
Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. Chicken Soup)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is crooked' and goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Will you?

I'm reading...although that's not strictly true...I haven't even started the book yet, but I'm very excited about it. I finished a book last night, so I've loaded this new one into my kindle...I think it will be a good read for late at night. Or by some reviews possibly all through the night!
A book club friend put this forward as a recommendation and I must say after seeing her face talking about it and after reading some reviews, I can't wait to start. It's been described as toxically brilliant.

 

Details taken from Gillian Flynn own website...

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. ..

For more reviews click here

About the author: Gillian Flynn is an American author and former television critic for Entertainment Weekly. As of 2012, she has published three novels: Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Gone Girl. 

Born: 1971 Kansas City

Education:  University of Kansas, Northwestern University

Awards: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, CWA New Blood Dagger, Black Quill for Dark Genre Novel Of The Year

Nominations: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger,

 

I am hoping...other than a little rain...that by some miracle eating chocolate wouldn't add to your daily calorie intake! No a lot a ask surely?

 

I am looking forward to...the weekend. Bring it on!

 

Around the house...I know there's a large hideous pile of ironing hiding in the laundry room trying desperately to hang on to the basket..but there's a good chance of an avalanche at any minute.

I'm trying to block it out...well it's Friday night after all. I don't want to cause anaphylaxis! 

  

A favourite quote for today...I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

One of my favourite things...copious cups of tea, crisp bed linen fresh off the washing line, a good book, a glass of red, CHOCOLATE and more chocolate, blue sky with white fluffy clouds, stars, music playing wherever I am, the BBC for brilliant programmes that I'm able to watch over here....the list goes on and on....  
    

A few plans for the rest of the week:  At this point I normally say.....Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order...it still seems appropriate! : D

 

A peek into my day... or should that say at the end of my day?

A spectacular sunset show tonight...with the clouds positively dancing in their party pink!  

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my daybook entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have a fabulous week and hopefully the sun will shine for you 

I hope to see you again soon....