tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360835452024-03-07T05:25:51.420+00:00Peppermint Teagoings on from the Emerald IsleBeccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-49492788483583454712008-12-22T18:24:00.003+00:002008-12-22T22:09:30.590+00:00Thanking a StrangerI just wanted to share a wonderful thing that happened to me yesterday. Mollie, Ben, Madeline (Mollie's friend) and myself decided to go ice skating and headed off to the <a href="http://www.7upchristmasonice.ie/">RDS.</a> As we arrived at the pay kiosks a man approached me and asked if I had pre booked my tickets, when I replied that I hadn't he smiled and gave me a ticket. I offered to pay for it but he refused and wished me a merry Christmas. So thanks to that stranger I saved myself €18. I really do believe that what goes around comes around as back in July Ben, <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">mum</a> and myself went to <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/2008/07/legoland-2008.html">Legoland</a>. I had purchased the tickets earlier and had also bought one for my dad. Unfortunately dad was ill and unable to come so I offered my ticket to a man in the queue who was thrilled to be saving £35.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-58393634865914889432008-12-07T10:10:00.004+00:002008-12-07T10:42:06.367+00:00For a special FriendI had it all planned, a walk on the beach and plenty of photos, albeit a pebbly beach in the depths of winter with lots of ice and not a lot of sun but then wham we were hit with the lurgy (well sore throats and colds) so no long walks for me but I still wanted to write this post.<br /><br />I first met <a href="http://www.winosandfoodies.com/">Barbara</a> when she started commenting on <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">mum's</a> blog. Barbara always left the most delightful comments so I had to go and check her out and boy was I glad I did. Barbara posts the most delicious recipes. I have made more of Barbara's dishes than of anyone else's and each one has been delightful. So when I heard about <a href="http://bronmarshall.com/">Bron's</a> idea of Barbara's friends sending her virtual hugs via blogging I didn't think twice about signing up even though I seem to be on an extended break from blogging. Barbara's blog posts are positive and sunny, a touch of Oz with beautiful photography and sometimes I forget the battle she is currently fighting. Because Barbara knows mum, <a href="http://becksposhnosh.blogspot.com/">Sam</a> and myself and has followed us through our highs and lows she truly feels like a family member and I want to share a big hug with her.<br /><br />If I was out in Australia I would bring her a pavlova, I mean who can resist all those berries, double cream and crispy on the outside, slightly gooey on the inside meringue. We'd sit watching the sunset over the sea and sip the finest champagne.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWxXwzV3tTJt12cuj5vVocVk51f3vywlh4Mi0P3RBaav2dawCqaViMctjscbdwfsO2ggbQdrAn9Ho8ZOjFPEwE3Ptijg_5ue3E32zP_Jm2Cr2NSm9PEa1r-FwLIz6T2k7eD3uNQ/s1600-h/DSCF0808.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWxXwzV3tTJt12cuj5vVocVk51f3vywlh4Mi0P3RBaav2dawCqaViMctjscbdwfsO2ggbQdrAn9Ho8ZOjFPEwE3Ptijg_5ue3E32zP_Jm2Cr2NSm9PEa1r-FwLIz6T2k7eD3uNQ/s400/DSCF0808.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Of course if Barbara was to roll up here she'd probably end up being offered some novelty birthday cake ( which is always chocolate).<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276989652326591602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC_uM-gIWOKiXBpZjwAPZXAkxOSsqjaGSwJm6mlDJVR5skgUd9nPlDcDaqnrte9R9fuHurhMNgL5fgu9TbdRdFuy-kayMjQ_dmpUS89xI5fwOpRtcxbfTjftuVJ7rWThtCKYBXA/s320/cars.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276989654116542274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MYURIwRoWjcblCLHkOt_Zk7lVShGFmayDLM3XpSc7-hVojSVM7C39WXi-PF8L1i8XOs7aNMAzVOAyLA4mTo1iBMrXkD0wAtqaBiO5WGPLm9BaHLuW_QpkCTGoPoUudpChiQmKg/s320/Dumper.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>So Barbara, consider youself the recipient of lots of hugs from us here in Ireland, xxx. </p>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-24283647921571978512008-08-19T21:45:00.003+01:002008-08-19T22:09:10.947+01:00Hypothermia HellSo I'm back, I sneaked back in through the back door and some of you found me, thank you.<br /><br />Too much has happened to fill you in and I know some of you were hearing my news from <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">mum</a> but I will say that I really needed that break from blogging and I won't be back blogging manically like before but will post as and when I feel like it and when I've something decent to post about...like how I nearly died of hypothermia. Now that got you interested.<br /><br />It's August and where I was brought up that means summer, long, hot days, playing on the beach, swimming in the sea, ice cream, strawberries, <s>sunburn</s> and barbecues. Wrong, now it means rain and summer flooding and not even snow in the winter. Last week I was playing in an open tennis tournament, one I have played in several times, my memories are of sun cream, sun glasses and drinking lots of water. Last week I was lucky if I came off court dry but despite the rain we succeeded in getting to a final. I awoke on finals day to the sound of sleeting rain and groaned. The forecast was for rain all weekend so I dragged myself off with my wet weather gear and plenty of warm clothes for after. Yes, it's official, the Irish are mad and play in the lashing rain. We were sent out on court, with apologies from the referee but there was no sign of a let up all weekend and what could they do? Before the game started I was soaked and had to remove my non waterproof waterproof leggings and coat. By game six I was sloshing around in pools of water and soaked through to my knickers (not a comfortable feeling), by the end of the set (which we won) I was shivering and shaking and could only focus on how cold I was. I don't know how but my body continued to hit the ball, it seemed to know what to do, all I could think about was how cold I was. A few games later when all I could say was 'I'm so cold' over and over my partner asked me to concede as she was worried about me. I ran for the shower. After a long shower and some hot food I felt human again but it really took me about 24 hours for my body temperature to get back to normal. It was a horrible experience and I will not be playing tennis in those conditions ever again.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-33903396910610808992008-08-17T22:51:00.006+01:002008-08-18T10:26:41.411+01:00Experience ListSo I've been plurking and lurking lately, saw this on <a href="http://aojthelurchers.blogspot.com/">Aoj</a>'s blog and wanted to play along.<br /><br />The experiences in bold are the ones I’ve done. Feel free to tag yourself!<br /><br />01. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Bought everyone in the bar a drink</span></strong> -<em>at least it felt like everyone!</em><br />02. Swam with wild dolphins<br />03. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Climbed a mountain</span></strong><br />04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive<br />05. Been inside the Great Pyramid<br />06. Held a tarantula<br />07. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Taken a candlelit bath with someone</span></strong><br />08. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Said ‘I love you’ and meant it</span></strong><br />09. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Hugged a tree</span></strong><em>-in my hippy phase</em><br />10. Bungee jumped-<em>never</em><br />11. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Visited Paris</span></strong><em>-three times, including my honeymoon</em><br />12. Watched a lightning storm at sea<em>-don't watch anything at sea, just lie there until the agony of sea travel is over!</em><br />13. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise</span></strong><br />14. Seen the Northern Lights<em>-hope to some day</em><br />15. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Gone to a huge sports game</span></strong><em>-Wimbledon semi and finals day 2006</em><br />16. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa (now closed to the public)</span></strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">-</span>very scary on the leaning side as no rails to stop you from falling</em><br />17. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Grown and eaten your own vegetables</span></strong><em>-if lettuce and herbs count</em><br />18. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Touched an iceberg</span></strong><em>-lettuce that is</em><br />19. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Slept under the stars</span></strong><br />20. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Changed a baby’s nappy</strong><br /></span>21. Taken a trip on a hot air balloon<br />22. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Watched a meteor shower</span></strong><br />23. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Got drunk on champagne</span></strong><br />24. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Given more than you can afford to charity</span></strong><br />25. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Looked up at the night sky through a telescope</strong><br /></span>26. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment-</span></strong><em>whilst reading a prayer when a girl guide...it didn't go down too well and I was nearly thrown out</em><br />27. Had a food fight<br />28. Bet on a winning horse-<em>never bet on anything ever.</em><br />29. Asked out a stranger<br />30. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Had a snowball fight</span></strong><em>-back when it used to snow here</em><br />31. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Screamed as loudly as you possibly can</span></strong><br />32. Held a lamb<br />33. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Seen a total eclipse</span></strong><br />34. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Ridden a roller coaster</span></strong><br /></span>35. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Hit a home run</span></strong><em>-if rounders counts!</em><br />36. <strong>Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking</strong> <em>-still do</em><br />37. Adopted an accent for an entire day<br />38. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment</span></strong><br />39. Had two hard drives for your computer -<em>you what?</em><br />40. Visited all 50 states-<em>only two</em><br />41. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Taken care of someone who was shit faced</strong><br /></span>42. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Had amazing friends</span></strong><em>-and still have amazing friends</em><br />43. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Danced with a stranger in a foreign country</span></strong>-<em>was invited to a wedding in Greece, had a ball dancing the night away.</em><br />44. Watched wild whales<br />45. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Stolen a sign</strong><br /></span>46. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Backpacked in Europe</span></strong><br />47. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Taken a road-trip</span></strong><br />48. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Gone rock climbing</span></strong><em>- including once without equipment at the age of seven...I had a lucky escape</em><br />49. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Midnight walk on the beach</strong><br /></span>50. Gone sky diving<br />51. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Visited Ireland</span></strong><em>-hell I live here!</em><br />52. Been heartbroken for longer than when you were in love<br />53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them<br />54. Visited Japan<br />55. Milked a cow<br />56. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Alphabetized your cds</span></strong><em>-well it was better than studying and it didn't last long!</em><br />57. Pretended to be a superhero<br />58. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Sung karaoke</span></strong><em>-very badly</em><br />59. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Lounged around in bed all day</span></strong><br />60. Posed nude in front of strangers<br />61. Gone scuba diving<br />62. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Kissed in the rain</span></strong><br />63. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Played in the mud</strong><br /></span>64. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Played in the rain</span></strong> <em>-tennis the other day and nearly got hypothermia</em><br />65. Gone to a drive-in theater<br />66. Visited the Great Wall of China<br />67. Started a business<br />68. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Fallen in love and not had your heart broken</span></strong><br />69. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Toured ancient sites</span></strong><br />70. Taken a martial arts class<br />71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight<em>-what's D&D</em><br />72. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Gotten married</strong><br /></span>73. Been in a movie<br />74. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Crashed a party</strong><br /></span>75. Gotten divorced<br />76. Gone without food for 5 days<br />77. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Made cookies from scratch</span></strong><br />78. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Won first prize in a costume contest</span></strong><em>-the children were in the costumes but as I dressed them I'll count it as me winning as well!</em><br />79. Ridden a gondola in Venice<br />80. Gotten a tattoo<br />81. Rafted the Snake River<br />82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”<br />83. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Got flowers for no reason</span></strong><em>-not often enough</em><br />84. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Performed on stage</span></strong><em>-ballet, tap and modern dance</em><br />85. Been to Las Vegas<br />86. Recorded music<br />87. Eaten shark<br />88. Had a one-night stand<br />89. Gone to Thailand<br />90. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Bought a house</strong><br /></span>91. Been in a combat zone<br />92. Buried one/both of your parents<br />93. Been on a cruise ship<br />94. Spoken more than one language fluently<br />95. Performed in Rocky Horror-<em>danced in audience at Rocky Horror...</em><br />96. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Raised children</span></strong><br />97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour<br />98. Created and named your own constellation of stars<br />99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country<br />100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over<br />101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge<br />102.<strong> <span style="color:#000000;">Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking</span></strong><br />103. Had plastic surgery<br />104. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived</span></strong><em>-the aforementioned rock climbing incident</em><br />105. Wrote articles for a large publication<br />106. Lost over 100 pounds-<em>cash or fat? Had 60 pounds stolen from our tent when asleep once</em><br />107. Held someone while they were having a flashback<br />108. Piloted an airplane<br />109. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Petted a stingray</span></strong><br />110. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Broken someone’s heart</span></strong><br />111. Helped an animal give birth<br />112. Won money on a T.V. game show<br />113. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Broken a bone</span></strong><br />114. Gone on an African photo safari<br />115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced<br />116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol<br />117. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild</strong><br /></span>118. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Ridden a horse</span></strong><br />119. Had major surgery<br />120. Had a snake as a pet<br />121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon<br />122. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours</span></strong>-<em>I wasn't well</em><br />123. <span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states</strong>-<em>not difficult, I've only visited the US twice</em></span><br />124. Visited all 7 continents<br />125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days<br />126. Eaten kangaroo meat<br />127. Eaten sushi<br />128. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Had your picture in the newspaper</span></strong><br />129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about<br />130. Gone back to school<br />131. Parasailed<br />132. Petted a cockroach<br />133. Eaten fried green tomatoes<br />134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey<br />135. <strong>Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read</strong><em>-The French Leuitenants Woman (I didn't enjoy it)</em><br />136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating<br />137. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Skipped all your school reunions</span></strong><br />138. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language</span></strong><em><strong>-</strong>does fluttering one's eyelids count?</em><br />139. Been elected to public office<br />140. Written your own computer language<br />141. <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream</span></strong><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">-</span></strong>one of them anyway (and not the one where I'm married to Johnny Depp)</em><br />142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care<br />143. Built your own PC from parts<br />144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you<br />145. Had a booth at a street fair<br />146: <strong><span style="color:#000000;">Dyed your hair</span></strong><br />147: Been a DJ<br />148: Shaved your head<br />149: Caused a car accident<br />150: Saved someone’s lifeBeccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-7138229957305170592008-04-21T09:34:00.005+01:002008-11-13T08:49:48.063+00:00Introducing Rascal...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1-Kiqy6paVi2VQ9gqHgHVxZ47fEqr8QtbV35TKKZjq5tUTNkvkvfZi_Q18HFgmYNxuqG6hlVuq7_N-VLlqojP-nC5aDSIdN6Rz3eu_4Gz9UbKIytaJjTWFdtA7WVZZGqW5wewQ/s1600-h/rascal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191614762997130114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1-Kiqy6paVi2VQ9gqHgHVxZ47fEqr8QtbV35TKKZjq5tUTNkvkvfZi_Q18HFgmYNxuqG6hlVuq7_N-VLlqojP-nC5aDSIdN6Rz3eu_4Gz9UbKIytaJjTWFdtA7WVZZGqW5wewQ/s320/rascal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We recently had the pleasure of minding Rascal for a week. When I told Joules we were minding a rat for a week he thought I had finally lost my marbles, Dillon said he was going nowhere near the rat and Ben was a little bit afraid. By the end of the week Rascal had five new fans...can anyone guess what Mollie would like for her birthday?</div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-86976217252993649732008-04-18T12:27:00.003+01:002008-11-13T08:49:48.782+00:00Knocksink Woods<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2otcUtUcLDOtlIG2ebQpTjoM1L7FyJlrjwOwW3ggPSVcgr4AOUGajmyxRed6AOmnItTj2iDplEaPerTlJJreQIAI-w_LkY9TQFRj1Yna7-B3N7nXb_AQF7iN_fMW6AecWlmg6g/s1600-h/collage4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190593671625137794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2otcUtUcLDOtlIG2ebQpTjoM1L7FyJlrjwOwW3ggPSVcgr4AOUGajmyxRed6AOmnItTj2iDplEaPerTlJJreQIAI-w_LkY9TQFRj1Yna7-B3N7nXb_AQF7iN_fMW6AecWlmg6g/s320/collage4.jpg" border="0" /></a> When <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">mum</a> was over recently we went for a walk in <a href="http://www.knocksinkwood.org/welcome.php">Knocksink Woods</a>. Knocksink Woods is a nature reserve in <a href="http://www.enniskerry.ie/">Enniskerry</a>, <a href="http://www.countywicklow.com/">Co. Wicklow</a> and is very close to Dublin. It is a lovely place to visit with children as there is a river with bridges, woods, trees to climb, slopes to climb up and slide down as well as some small winding paths through the woods. If you venture off the main path you come to a small shingle beach where my children have been known to paddle in the icy waters. After a walk here it's only a short hop to the beautiful gardens at <a href="http://www.powerscourt.ie/">Powerscourt</a> where you can enjoy a scrumptious lunch or a nice hot cuppa with a slice of tasty lemon tart.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-10493924264370241512008-04-17T11:02:00.002+01:002008-04-17T11:15:03.975+01:00How to stop your daughter becoming a vegetarian in 10 easy steps.1) Do not argue with her, even though she offers no argument, rational or otherwise, for this decision.<br /><br />2) Do not allow other family members to argue with her (it may make her more stubborn).<br /><br />3) Plan a weeks menu which is made up of all her favourite meaty meals.<br /><br />4) Buy a pack of tofu.<br /><br />5) Add tofu to a tomato and vegetable sauce and pour over pasta. Include plenty of said daughters least favourite vegetables.<br /><br />6) Inform daughter that as you will not be cooking separate meals every day she will be eating this meal for the next five days as that is how many meals the pack of tofu made.<br /><br />7) Smile sweetly and order a cheeseburger and chips when hubby offers to buy everyone else takeaway for dinner.<br /><br />8) Talk about forthcoming meal out in TGI Fridays and remind daughter that she can have a veggie burger or salad but that you'll have to check out what the chips are fried in.<br /><br />9) Encourage daughter every step of the way.<br /><br />10) When daughter <s>comes to her senses</s> realises that she no longer wants to be a vegetarian smile sweetly and impress on her that you don't want to hear her utter those words for at least another six years!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">N.B. No daughters were hurt in this experiment.</span>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-37392007490680966332008-02-28T13:01:00.004+00:002008-02-28T13:10:34.897+00:00Calling all BrowniesNo not the <a href="http://itsamumslife.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/mixed-up-monday/">edible ones</a> but the <a href="http://www.epilogsys.com/Scoutingweb/SubPages/Browniestory.htm">ones that come in and clean your house when you're asleep</a>. I have a <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">very important visitor</a> arriving in two days and have just spent the morning cleaning Mollie's bedroom, although according to Mollie she cleaned it yesterday so I'm wondering how she'll account for the two bags of rubbish and two loads of washing I found up there.<br /><br />I still have the rest of the house to tackle so if there are any volunteers come on over...and yes I have the edible brownies here for all helpers.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-85349171387607339762008-02-27T09:18:00.002+00:002008-02-27T09:39:05.156+00:00MollieitusThank you for all your well wishes and I'm feeling a lot better although apparently I sound like a pneumatic drill when I'm asleep but I've only woken myself up a few times with the noise (Joules on the other hand has been having trouble sleeping)!<br /><br />Last Friday when I felt cold, shivering and had a headache which wouldn't shift I spent the morning in A&E. Of course with Mollie. On Wednesday Mollie came home from school complaining that her toe was sore but she hadn't knocked or hurt it in any way. I had a look and it seemed fine, no swelling, no broken skin. An hour later Mollie couldn't walk, her toe was red and swollen and she couldn't walk on it. By Friday it was very sore and she had resorted to using her crutches (luckily the hospital had refused to take them back because it costs too much to sterilize them). An x-ray confirmed no fracture so the doctors decided to take blood to check for arthritis which if I say worried me slightly that would be a huge understatement, worse still, it would take a week to get the results. It was a long weekend in which I felt rotten and worried far too much. On Monday I managed to get hold of my GP who chased up the results and was able to tell us that Mollie doesn't have arthritis or any form of infection and to continue to rest the toe. We were very relieved to hear this and Mollie had named her condition Mollieitus. Today there is some improvement, Mollie is still on crutches but the swelling has receded and it is not as sore.<br /><br />After that stress it was great to receive this joke from <a href="http://lifeinthepub2.blogspot.com/index.html">John</a>.<br /><br />Sainsbury condoms - making life taste better<br />Tesco Condoms - every little helps<br />Nike Condoms - Just do it Peugeot Condoms - The ride of your life<br />KFC Condoms - Finger Licking good<br />Minstrels Condoms - melt in your mouth, not in your hand<br />Abbey National Condoms - because life is complicated enough<br />Coca Cola Condoms - The real thing<br />Pringles Condoms - once you pop, you can't stop<br />Burger King Condoms - Home of the Whopper<br />Goodyear Condoms - For a longer ride, go wide<br />Muller light condoms - So much pleasure, but where's the pain?<br />Flash Condoms - Just sit back, relax and let flash do all the hard work<br />Halford Condoms - We go the extra mile<br />Royal Mail Condoms - I saw this and thought of you<br />Andrex Condoms - Soft, strong and very very long<br />Domestos Condoms - Gets right in the rim<br />Heineken Condoms - Reaches parts that other condoms just cannot reach<br />Carlsberg Condoms - Probably the best condom in the world<br />Pepperami Condoms - It's a bit of an animal Polo Condoms - The condom with the hole!! (VERY poor seller !!)<br />McDonalds Condoms - I'm Lovin' it!<br />American Express Condoms - Don't Leave Home Without it, or: That'll Do Nicely!<br />Microsoft Condoms - Where Do You Want To Go Today?<br />Radio Times Condoms - If it's on it's in<br />Pedigree Chum dog food condoms - Top breeders recommend it!<br />Daily Express condoms - Express Delivery<br />Martini Condoms - Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere<br />Churchill Condoms - OH,YES<br />Kellogg's Fruit and Fibre Condoms - They're tasty, tasty, very, very tasty<br />Veet Condoms - Take the bull by the horns<br />XXXX Condoms - Australians wouldn't give a XXXX with anything else<br />TV Times Condoms - I never knew there was so much in it<br />Boddington's Condoms - The cream of Manchester<br />Cadburys Condoms - a Glass and Half in every one<br />Mars Condoms - Help You Work, Rest & Play<br />Special K Condoms - If You Can Pinch More Than An Inch<br />Bisto Condoms - Ahhhhhhhhh.!<br />Fruit Pastilles Condoms - Bet you can't put one in your mouth without chewing it<br />DFS Condoms - Open every bank holiday<br />Kwik Fit condoms - you can't get quicker than a Kwik Fit fitter!<br />Nintendo DS condoms - touching is good<br />Maxwell House condoms - good to the last drop<br />Rice Krispies Condoms - Snap, Crackle, Pop<br />EA Sports Condoms - It's in the game<br />Ebay Condoms - Buy it. Sell it. Love it.<br />Capital One Comdoms - What's In Your Wallet?<br />Morgan Stanley Condoms - One Client At A Time<br />Heinz Condoms - 57 Varieties<br />Creme Egg Condoms - How do you eat yours?<br />Nokia Condoms - Connecting People<br />Frosties Condoms - They're Grrrrreat!!<br />RAF Condoms - Rise above the rest<br />HM Revenue & Customs Condoms - It doesn't have to be taxing<br />Windows Vista Condoms - The Wow Starts Now<br />Mac Mini Condoms - Small is Beautiful<br />Philadelphia Condoms - A little taste of heaven<br />FedEx Condoms - When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight<br />Burger King Condoms - Have It Your Way<br />Yellow Pages Condoms = Let your fingers do the walking<br />T-Mobile Condoms - Simply Closer<br />Ikea Condoms - Screw yourself!Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-87466357711073444862008-02-25T12:37:00.005+00:002008-11-13T08:49:49.736+00:00A Wintry Supper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3_2P8n1n3YJzQGPZXPXUit880999lAx_1hpaSpM5B44ROShfTTvaZfanmmjpKBJTPNeLlGtBUY6L4bM7w9dE9VGlns-GkmdQ-pzIdgRTgBoO1dp0W_kZokcRTS7gWtzPptC03Q/s1600-h/pasta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170896739202005634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3_2P8n1n3YJzQGPZXPXUit880999lAx_1hpaSpM5B44ROShfTTvaZfanmmjpKBJTPNeLlGtBUY6L4bM7w9dE9VGlns-GkmdQ-pzIdgRTgBoO1dp0W_kZokcRTS7gWtzPptC03Q/s320/pasta.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A few weeks I bought myself a new cookbook. Now I rarely use cookbooks as I tend to get most of my recipes from the internet (blogging or recipe searches) and magazines but the title caught my eye <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Widower-Jonathan-Tropper/dp/0385338902/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203942781&sr=8-1">101 One Pot Dishes by the Good Food magazine</a>. With a busy family life this was just what I needed, the fact that the book is small and cheap (€7.50) had me sold. I have made a number of dishes from this book and all have been really tasty and received the thumbs up. Because I like to cook food from scratch I haven't followed all the recipes in their entirety and have therefore used more than one pan but the end results have been great. This recipe has been adjusted from the book.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><em>Chicken with Creamy Bacon Penne</em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div></div><div> </div><div>1tbsp olive oil</div><div>4 skinned, boneless chicken breasts, cut up</div><div>5 bacon rashers (slices) chopped up</div><div>6 tbsp dry white wine</div><div>6-8oz frozen peas</div><div>8 tbsp cream</div><div>450g cooked penne</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Heat the oil in the pan, gently fry chicken and bacon on high heat fro about four minutes.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>When chicken has browned add the wine and let it bubble over a high heat until most of the wine has evaporated.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Add the peas, cream, penne and season. Stir then cover with a lid and simmer until chicken is thoroughly cooked.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Enjoy.</div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-57161567037596032272008-02-23T09:19:00.003+00:002008-11-13T08:49:50.180+00:00Making my day...<div align="center"> Unfortunately this is currently my best friend.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170108861811292754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHNsCQ0w1TUoy8pATKodSH9xTAjOblabYGKHYMI_XuzJlYyd728dgm4bn8Hv0kaD2VhHA_8c3UIvm9WSRtxGTPl4C3O0zPI-ZRvMa73Kh9ybFuPlkdCDHmcvccP8bGojiX_d5ig/s320/lemsip.jpg" border="0" />Feeling cold and miserable yesterday I was delighted to recieve my Valentine's swap gift from <a href="http://jehovahroi.wordpress.com/">Briggie</a>. I got a lovely parcel full of peppermint pattie hearts, mint chocolate, soap (mint and gingerbread flavour which I though was pretty canny), an angel and a book. Thank you so much <a href="http://jehovahroi.wordpress.com/">Briggie</a> for making my day and thank you to <a href="http://islandlife808.com/">Kailani</a> who organised the swap.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170108883286129250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X2iPHsQjQVsoffgw-DzPU1nbv4-Zlm7eyMW4Rubw9b1bh8IsOAP7tVRxKbNR-a22qpGuxCRTFQ75oNzKRwWEwEvtNO_fkA6saQM1uXh80O5oP0NnINecwgN4mUMIDGut3SXYnA/s320/valswap.jpg" border="0" />Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-48505007763297910222008-02-21T10:08:00.000+00:002008-11-13T08:49:50.551+00:00Gingerbread Men<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Apparently gingerbread men are a traditional Luxembourgian dish as well so Mollie baked a batch on Tuesday. She plans to take some in for her teacher so we'll see if a bit of bribrey works! You'll find the recipe <a href="http://www.raspberry.co.uk/?p=311">here</a>.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD_ZT0Gq6riFoL0ihBJeJlogqZnBTVMZ450cZ_plAZYahszvf__tnKXmUDbw1q_IGMeDCSVQEEQFU1dNIgo-lERfXX2QyA5CxZmYYvt73bOOWW43mmscN38kxMeC9c50yzcvr_A/s1600-h/collage3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD_ZT0Gq6riFoL0ihBJeJlogqZnBTVMZ450cZ_plAZYahszvf__tnKXmUDbw1q_IGMeDCSVQEEQFU1dNIgo-lERfXX2QyA5CxZmYYvt73bOOWW43mmscN38kxMeC9c50yzcvr_A/s400/collage3.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-69985638538343394872008-02-19T10:48:00.000+00:002008-11-13T08:49:50.768+00:00Ham in Hay<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVsz7MulZWc0Y0a_95MhLW32xoCwDydxzsY1nBMcar48J-K3_mnLspBTb3N1bOCW6bhZ8bE0G3HqNYD9ZmbMVDPppiCwao-M3SiYY7YLBntNocxTeXbPLQKbZML6w92dNzqOhlg/s1600-h/collage2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVsz7MulZWc0Y0a_95MhLW32xoCwDydxzsY1nBMcar48J-K3_mnLspBTb3N1bOCW6bhZ8bE0G3HqNYD9ZmbMVDPppiCwao-M3SiYY7YLBntNocxTeXbPLQKbZML6w92dNzqOhlg/s400/collage2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Many of you who follow my blog will be aware that Mollie is currently working on a project about Luxembourg. The information from the Embassy arrived within a week and <a href="http://ithadbetterbegood.blogspot.com/">Yvonne</a> has been so helpful with loads of information and kindly answering a few questions about life in Luxembourg. Last week we decided to try out a Luxembourgian dish, ham in hay. It really is what it says it is, ham cooked on a bed of hay. Our vedict: unfortunately the ham was a bit fatty and we found it too salty but I did like the earthy, straw like taste it got from being steamed in the hay.</div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-19746165787963324752008-02-18T09:03:00.005+00:002008-02-18T10:13:10.072+00:00Bums!We were all set to be wiped off the tennis court. The team we were playing were very strong and hadn't dropped a point over the five weeks of the league but I was looking forward to the challenge.<br /><br />It all started so well.<br /><br />I served well, my volleys were working and I was well able to rally with the girls. We won that first game.<br /><br />The second game started off well with us winning the first couple of points.<br /><br />Then came the lob...not a problem I thought as I raced back to get it. Unfortunately it was a great lob and landed on the back of the line so I stretched that bit more....that's when I felt it...yep I tore a muscle in my bum.<br /><br />I continued to play but I was in agony and couldn't put my weight onto that leg.<br /><br />Of course we lost.<br /><br />I'm sitting here in a great deal of pain as it's far worse today but at least I have a good excuse to blog all day and I've just booked a spa treatment at this <a href="http://www.faithlegg.com/displayContent.aspx?groupID=6&sectionCode=location">hotel</a> where I'm going for a girls weekend with the tennis girls.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-81643969895888652332008-02-16T10:38:00.002+00:002008-11-13T08:49:51.062+00:00Grease is the Word....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0gNiQlPKNwHAg6j0GdrqvB7GTrJZFT505Ee8rn8cHm2t4gCyPuPSyHww5tVoAX1JK4CRAUVEpdS3L0x8rvoW5xpCH3EaDuFTc1EATlt9TaETz-lBN2lDyebtZlZzXi93E-My2Q/s1600-h/sandy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167525722450590210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0gNiQlPKNwHAg6j0GdrqvB7GTrJZFT505Ee8rn8cHm2t4gCyPuPSyHww5tVoAX1JK4CRAUVEpdS3L0x8rvoW5xpCH3EaDuFTc1EATlt9TaETz-lBN2lDyebtZlZzXi93E-My2Q/s320/sandy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Last night was the Grease party. I didn't bring my camera (it's bigger than my bag), but Joules took this photo before I left. Lots of people made a huge effort in dressing up, the social committee were dressed as the pink ladies and the men's captain was brilliant as a teddy boy. I found it hard to dance to all the fifties music but after a vodka or five I got into it and danced till 2am!</div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-51140832355144736262008-02-15T12:14:00.003+00:002008-11-13T08:49:51.315+00:00My Valentine's Day Gift.<div align="center"> What to do if you get nothing on Valentine's day?<br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167180437144762866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyb0gz4tE78eyWULqvdy4taK3WaOFhFqdrcaMwp1qzWF-RIuix6W_-AL0gnTTO8CrD__vWVwE5WBJGP9xZ3fUdU0PMefRHvl1gFaDXKaNYSnFdOwBQHAtZ5mgQAg6YhMrN_tqPRg/s320/ring.jpg" border="0" />Why buy yourself a beautiful red ring of course!!!</div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-47465261033371555692008-02-11T16:13:00.000+00:002008-02-11T16:15:46.481+00:00ArghhhhI have spent hours catching up on my blog reading but for some reason I could only leave a handful of comments. It didn't seem to matter what type of blog I was reading, those comment pages just weren't showing up!Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-81271498299490374522008-02-11T13:34:00.000+00:002008-11-13T08:49:51.732+00:00F.A.M.E.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-glfY7oWg4M3ki3OsvLakiey9JVnp59FKSn4AByjSThS4N5ZWOGiZ6AzIlUcA9mjjN7gllK7gWTybuvqi_UnoQgWHSq5bzcIT2xiAf2Tp9N6wDlcSRvxZl3esimcZ9UnTI8MbCQ/s1600-h/fame.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165716321448262098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-glfY7oWg4M3ki3OsvLakiey9JVnp59FKSn4AByjSThS4N5ZWOGiZ6AzIlUcA9mjjN7gllK7gWTybuvqi_UnoQgWHSq5bzcIT2xiAf2Tp9N6wDlcSRvxZl3esimcZ9UnTI8MbCQ/s320/fame.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Mollie has three very close friends and last week she was invited to Anna's house for a sleepover to celebrate her birthday. After the success of painting <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/2008/01/im-so-lucky.html">this</a>, Mollie decided to paint a picture for Anna. The initials of the four girls make the word F.A.M.E (Florence, Anna, Mollie and Eve). Anna loved her painting, the other girls all want one and I've hinted that maybe Mollie could paint the family for me for Mothering Sunday.</div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-47331218168698228262008-02-07T08:42:00.000+00:002008-02-07T08:57:49.676+00:00GreaseFor those who guessed it's not a vicar and tarts party. The white and virginal was a reference to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcI3hGrtBQ&feature=related">'look at me I'm sandra dee' </a>whilst the black and sexy was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcI3hGrtBQ&feature=related">'you're the one that I want'</a>. Now I most definitely do not have the body to be squeezed into a black satin cat suit a la Olivia Newton John so it's on with the bobby socks and the full skirt and I'll be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvZcT0qATE">'grease lightnin'</a>!Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-71904585848871091522008-02-06T09:11:00.000+00:002008-02-06T09:27:17.899+00:00Busy as a Bee!<div align="left">Life is very busy at the moment what with <a href="http://lifeinthepub2.blogspot.com/">projects</a>, <a href="http://beccy-peppermint-tea.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-do-you-solve-problem-like.html">exams</a> and <a href="http://beccy-peppermint-tea.blogspot.com/2008/01/still-guessing.html">little monkeys</a>! Not to mention my belly dancing, hockey, tennis and PA commitments, throw in a few birthday celebrations, nights out and books to read and I'm exhausted just thinking about it. The project is going really well thanks to <a href="http://ithadbetterbegood.blogspot.com/">Yvonne</a> who moved from Dublin to Luxembourg as a child and has given Mollie lots of valuable information including unusual facts that wouldn't be readily available to Mollie. Dillon's exams are nearly finished, just two left on Friday then he has a week off school. Dillon is fairly confident that they all went quite well, except for the maths paper where he rubbed out every single answer (the less said about that the better)! As for me, I've been busy putting together an outfit for a fancy dress party I'm going to next week, the question is, should I go white and virginal or black and sexy? Can you guess the theme of the party? </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Once again I bring you Witty Wednesday thanks to <a href="http://lifeinthepub2.blogspot.com/">John</a>.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">Male or Female? </div><p><br />You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female. Here are some examples:<br /><br />FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.<br /><br />PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again.They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons.<br /><br />TYRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated HOT AIR<br /><br />BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt.<br /><br />SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.<br /><br />WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.<br /><br />TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.<br /><br />EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.<br /><br />HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.<br /><br />THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying New Law: </p>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-43216710195105709942008-02-01T12:51:00.000+00:002008-11-13T08:49:52.503+00:00Don't mention the P word!<div align="left">It looks like I made the second clue way to easy and you were all right but my <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">mother</a> was the first to guess correctly so I think I'll have to blackmail her. Mum when you come and visit us I will present you with your prize!<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Once a year the dreaded P word is mentioned in our house. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161997819223574610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN05C3k2FFnTbuX8TNZlHOmBbCKLMmG79b4NCi-6IhL4TNnZmJo4MP6cim-ZvaHTFjYfv14IaT-Tz5X_sxM5LZ5j5hFR4wxE11AhvdoUdp8y2ZZFUIt56Q0Gh97SVomMznCBJQA/s320/project1.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">The dreaded P word is Project. </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161997827813509218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM0bs3f9jTw-AOvF_uA2dukpU-MseL_GSaAAGPrVeyAS3mkGYwQ_WYt7REd_jo7rcGytFahomflRKloXV6ngYC5mUzTNb3yYLiMhIzo76fUthyV0-zHF6vjPI1lESO7REwHBGog/s320/project2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">While I understand that children have to write projects they cause a lot of stress and tension. Ben was looking forward to his first project until Mollie started telling how boring they were then it was moans and tears all the way. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161997836403443826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviz6vJ9IP_8gg01kgxqstRw_qFPV9zP0mWxpcPmUyuK6SKb5L1DZVv6oSREh8QzTXLrJ82Y9i-9_vRgxLMQGRwD9FieZ2j-CwM-kpApfRIQMYLxKBQ-8UJx-sgndRaV3V-aXTZg/s320/project3.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Yesterday there were smiles of relief as he finished it. </p><p align="center">Lucky Ben. </p><p align="left">Mollie's project starts on Monday and she has two and a half weeks to produce twenty pages on Luxembourg. The children were all given an EU country and guess what? The school library has a book on every single EU country except Luxembourg. The children have to write to their countries embassy for information and guess what? There is no Luxembourg embassy in Ireland so Mollie wrote to their UK embassy, it could take a week for her letter to get there which leaves a week and half to receive their reply and use their material in the project. </p><p align="left">I'm really not looking forward to the next two and a half weeks!</p>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-77075332474966071432008-01-31T08:00:00.000+00:002008-11-13T08:49:52.796+00:00Still Guessing...As nobody guessed correctly it's time for clue number two: Next week I need to bring a scarf along to the class to tie around a part of my body (over my clothes)!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161549506242250818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZfW4rd6S84b0aGswiuPc7ArTARrlRxCdTfvl5KLCLCJwfjBTuTUFMheJSCXEXsI-ZEDBlSxfGZZdTOqfo2WLkaKnlaLqqoONdUyGel4okqxxQSy5pnLCZQFFJ3BdSmwU-OPDlA/s320/ben+sleeping.jpg" border="0" /><br />I just thought I'd include this picture of Ben sleeping. For some reason he's taken to removing his pyjama top (copying big brother and dad I guess) and he's sleeping on a big <a href="http://www.snoopy.com/">Snoopy</a> which was mine when I was a girl and survived the trip back to Dublin two years ago despite being dropped in a pool of mucky, oily water in the airport carpark.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-36461071617063255182008-01-30T08:36:00.000+00:002008-01-30T08:41:10.860+00:00Guess what...Yesterday I started a new exercise activity and my children had great fun trying to guess what it was. After three clues Mollie guessed, it was very funny as they threw out wild suggestions so I thought I'd ask you lot to guess. The first clue is that it was a form of exercise, if nobody guesses there will be another clue tomorrow...and yes there will be a prize for the winner.<br /><br />Witty Wednesday comes from my <a href="http://lifeinthepub2.blogspot.com/">usual supplier</a>.<br /><br />A man was in a long line at his local supermarket. As he got to the checkout he realised he had forgotten to get condoms so he asked the checkout girl if she could have some brought up to the register. She asked; 'What size condoms?' The customer replied that he didn't know so she asked him to drop his trousers. He did. She reached over the counter, grabbed hold of him and called over the intercom; 'One box of large condoms, Checkout 5:<br /><br />The next man in line thought this was interesting, and like most of us, was up for a cheap thrill. When he got up to the checkout, he told the check out girl that he too had forgotten to get condoms, and asked if she could have some brought to the checkout for him. She asked him what size, and he stated that he didn't know. She asked him to drop his trousers. He did. She gave him a quick feel, picked up the intercom and said; 'One box of medium-sized condoms, Checkout 5:<br /><br />A few customers back was a teenage boy. He thought what he had seen was way too cool. He had never had any type of sexual contact with a live female, so he thought this was his chance. When he got to the checkout he told the assistant he needed some condoms. She asked him what size and he said he didn't know. She asked him to drop his pants and he did. She reached over the counter, gave him a quick squeeze then picked up the intercom and said; 'Mop and bucket to checkout 5'.Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-35927383791406842152008-01-29T08:00:00.000+00:002008-01-29T08:06:58.211+00:00How do you solve a problem like...?Dillon's mock exams start this week. These are a practice for his Junior Cert exams in June, which are his first serious examinations. Although these exams aren't important in the long run, his Leaving Cert exams at 18 years will determine which university he will attend, they are a practice and to be taken seriously, ie, turn up on time with all the equipment. Fortunately Dillon will turn up on time with all the equipment, thanks to his mother. Idle chat late last night and I discovered that he didn't know which exams he had today and when he read his timetable I discovered that he had lost his calculator needed for his maths exam. If I hadn't asked him last night he would have gone into school totally unprepared, luckily Joules had a scientific calculator so he'll be prepared but I'm sure I have a few more grey hairs!Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36083545.post-91441145882752140162008-01-25T08:03:00.000+00:002008-11-13T08:49:53.155+00:00Brithday Greetings...<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Friday evening was spent making birthday gifts for a <a href="http://mscellania.blogspot.com/">very special lady</a>.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tG2Qj6l3lYkgkn2WDpCcY8EFAmhoOh6ZRtlCUen3j10q0V_OKqYBGOoFZUQpjFFpAvIrX3O5lQaJ89T-GEYHodVTfNfCBjZNdQEn2AlS2nzoQziJwDI6GJhLgS54t0ARdJ42DQ/s1600-h/collage1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tG2Qj6l3lYkgkn2WDpCcY8EFAmhoOh6ZRtlCUen3j10q0V_OKqYBGOoFZUQpjFFpAvIrX3O5lQaJ89T-GEYHodVTfNfCBjZNdQEn2AlS2nzoQziJwDI6GJhLgS54t0ARdJ42DQ/s400/collage1.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663366;">Happy Birthday Mum</span></div>Beccyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00911316644797253921noreply@blogger.com21