http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/This is the Dawning of the Age of Adversity...Austerity ...Artichokes...give Peas a chance!en-UKMokoFeed10http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/5f/1085b5501382ab629f5ff89cc2794b_160x200.jpghttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/a-routine-change-7390161/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-11-16:/2009/11/16/a-routine-change-7390161/Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:56:59 +0100 <p><strong>I shocked myself this morning!<br> I have missed attending my dance classes as I haven't been to one for at least six months, so, on waking, instead of laying in bed for a couple of hours (which has been my usual apathetic way lately) I jumped into the shower called a taxi and went to an early morning class run by my friend Kathy.<br> I had no illusions that I could participate in the actual dancing but I expected to do the 'warm up' for about ten minutes then sit and watch the rest of the ladies gyrating <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0">.<br> I actually managed 25 minutes of gentle exercise before I had to sit down, this being when the three minute shimmy music came on.<br> I spent about £12 in total in order to participate in that 25 min of exercise but it was well worth it as it has proved to me that hopefully normality is another step closer!</p> <p>I hasten to add that I have been laid flat out on the settee suffering from partial exhaustion all afternoon <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/a-routine-change-7390161/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/a-routine-change-7390161/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/14/one-daughter-each-7373269/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-11-14:/2009/11/14/one-daughter-each-7373269/Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:10:15 +0100 <p><strong>Today t'old man took advantage of the OAP special return coach fare from Leeds to Manchester and went winging his way across the pennines for a fiver to visit Bella in her recently bought house.<br> She is chuffed to have taken the first step on the housing ladder but is becoming dismayed at the amount of work needing doing on the 1930's house to bring it up to scratch. Windows have been replaced, electrics rewired, some plumbing adjusted and unsafe trees have been pruned. There's some plastering to be done next week before the new kitchen units can be fitted so you you can imagine the panic when she was told by one of the workmen that there are rotting joists under the kitchen floorboards<img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"><br> T'old man's job today is to take a look down there and reassure her that the house won't fall down around her <img src="/img/smilies/grayuhoh.gif" alt="U-(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I didn't feel up to making the journey so my other daughter Lulu said she would drop in to see me after her violin lesson! (she has recently took up her childhood hobby again as a form of therapy to detract from her stressful job as a senior ward manager in a NHS acute all male mental health ward).<br> I hadn't seen her for a week or so, so I made a nice pot of percolated coffee before we chatted about things. Me, about how I was progressing along and how I was feeling about everything, then she started opening up about her job...about the forthcoming ward restructuring, about the terrible time she had with a male nurse under her charge (who was that unbalanced he could have easily qualified as an inpatient himself) as well as unloading her anxieties about an ongoing review on her ward about a major incident which happened recently <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0">.</p> <p>After coffee we decided to go the supermarket as we both needed to stock up and I have to take advantage of a lift whenever I can. I spent most of the time there stopping to chat with both ex colleagues and a couple of friends who were shopping who I hadn't seen for years..everyone was lovely to me and they all talked quite freely about the dreaded 'C' word...gone are the days when it was a word too ghastly to mention when everyone skirted around it embarrassingly...I even took to taking my hat off and flashing my newly grown (but still cropped) grey hair...how we all laughed <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> as no-one has seen me with grey hair before, they all knew me as this ageing woman who was keen to hold on to her youth as long as she could, even if it did mean dying her hair and wearing make-up to work. It is good that I can be so relaxed about it with all these random aquaintances and I came home feeling so much better <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> T'old man should arrive home in about an hour so i'll put the coffee pot on again and I guess we'll exchange notes on how 'the daughters' are going on<br> "how was yours"?<br> "yes mines OK"...........Y'know, that sort of thing.....an ordinary day in an ordinary life <img src="/img/smilies/icon_yawn.gif" alt=":yawn:" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/14/one-daughter-each-7373269/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>one-daughter-eachhttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/14/one-daughter-each-7373269/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/nothing-much-7314759/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-11-05:/2009/11/05/nothing-much-7314759/Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:41:29 +0100 <p><strong>As I was walking down the hill in a world of my own, I was mentally counting down the months since my operation....an elderly gentleman pedalled slowly past me on his pushbike, he smiled and said “November”<br> Wow...I thought, he’s telepathic ...that, or I was mouthing the words and he's an ace lip-reader!</p> <p>As I cuddled up to second born on the sofa she said to me “ I miss you mam”<br> “and I miss you too chuck” I replied<br> Whoah.....I thought….you're 26, what’s up here?</p> <p>As I look out of the back bedroom window where I usually get a free fireworks display on the fifth of November there is a distint lack of bangs going on and the air has the ambience of a damp squib....I guess everyone has put bonfire night on hold 'til Saturday this year!<br> ></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/nothing-much-7314759/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/nothing-much-7314759/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/31/the-attempted-modernisation-of-an-industrial-town-7281949/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-31:/2009/10/31/the-attempted-modernisation-of-an-industrial-town-7281949/Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:49:32 +0100 <p><strong>I ventured on a bus into Wakefield city centre today for change.<br> Like many northern cities it is struggling to modernise itself, what with the mega shopping centre works starting.. then stopping .. then been given the go ahead again <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0">.<br> At the other end of town a <a href="http://www.waterfrontwakefield.com/hepworth.asp">new Hepworth museum</a>(in homage to Barbara Hepworth)is being built which looks to me as if it could be one huge 'white elephant' .... but as I strolled about I noticed another attempt at modernising the city centre which prompted me to write this brief post on 'The Bull Ring, Wakefield.</p> <p>As was the trend in lots of British cities at that time, the historic statue of Queen Victoria was first unveiled in the Bull Ring Wakefield in 1905<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/queenvictoriastatueinthebullringwakefield/4060940" title="QueenVictoriaStatueInTheBullringWakefield"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/940/4060940_00d1dcc0a2_m.jpg" alt="QueenVictoriaStatueInTheBullringWakefield"></a><br> She reigned supreme before being moved to Clarence Park in 1950 and then it was returned with great fan-fare to the city centre Bull Ring in 1985.<br> Here it stayed until October last year to make way for the controversial new fountain which had been commissioned for the city centre.<br> On Wednesday, the Grade II listed statue was winched into place in her new home in Castrop Rauxel Square in Wakefield's civic quarter, outside County Hall. It seems a fitting place for the historic statue to be, may she remain there for many decades to come.</p> <p>Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Express<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/th1_wec_3010_13_2910_120925/4060968" title="TH1_WEC-3010-13-2910-120925"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/968/4060968_59abff01c8_m.jpg" alt="TH1_WEC-3010-13-2910-120925"></a></p> <p>A Huge water feature is now at the heart of the Bull Ring's new look.<br> A series of 48 jets create a tunnel of water for people to walk through. National water feature experts 'The Fountain Workshop Limited' were commissioned by Wakefield Council to design, construct and co-ordinate the installation of the attraction.<br> The decision to replace Queen Victoria's statue with a modern water feature has been somewhat controversial and earlier this summer, a short time after the fountain was officially switched on, pranksters twice created a foam volcano in the city centre as washing up liquid was poured into the new water feature's 48 jets, causing it to erupt with bubbles.<br> Shoppers watched in disbelief as foam covered the fountain, which is the centrepiece of the £2.6m Bull Ring refurbishment.<br> It started off as a small white mound in the centre and then it just grew and grew.<br> People thought it was funny and it was quite amusing, but also very predictable. It was obvious something like this was going to be a target for anti-social behaviour.</p> <p>I am pleased to report though that today, on a pleasant autumn day, things have settled down somewhat in the Bull Ring, as these photos which I took today show.<br> Both children and elderly people alike seem to be enjoying the novelty of a modern water feature where once Queen Victoria's statue reigned <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Wake-bullring-005"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/855/4060855_d8e2459d76_s.jpg" alt="Wake-bullring-005"></a><br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Wake-bullring-004"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/854/4060854_43a7115f72_s.jpg" alt="Wake-bullring-004"></a></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/31/the-attempted-modernisation-of-an-industrial-town-7281949/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wakefield-fountain-queen-victoria-statuehttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/31/the-attempted-modernisation-of-an-industrial-town-7281949/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/a-visit-to-salt-s-mills-7270676/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-29:/2009/10/29/a-visit-to-salt-s-mills-7270676/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:35:18 +0100 <p>Last Sunday the girls drove me to Saltaire..not to Victoria Hall but this time to visit <a href="http://www.saltsmill.org.uk/">Salt's Mills </a>which was built by <a href="http://www.lhi.org.uk/projects_directory/projects_by_region/yorkshire_the_humber/bradford/saltaire_living_history_project/sir_titus_salt.html">Sir Titus Salt</a></p> <p>When it was first built in 1853 the mill employed 3000 workers, and was one of the most advanced mills in the country. Since the decline of the mill trade, Salt's Mill has been preserved mainly thanks to the work of the Silver family.<br> Businessman Jonathan Silver bought Salt's Mill in 1986 and rents part of them to a telecommunications company and parts to shops, there is a bookshop (with some entertaining kids books!) a homeware shop (modern but fancy prices to go with it) and galleries devoted to local Bradford artist David Hockney. There are also restaurants and cafes inside<br> The steam-powered Salts Mill was one of the largest and most technically advanced textile mills of its time. The integrated mill housed almost the complete production process from sorting through to finishing. Known at the time as ‘The Palace of Industry’, Salts Mill it dominates the village of Saltaire and is distinguished by its detached, 68m chimney which is a local landmark.<br> <a href="http://www.davidhockney.com/">David Hockney </a>has a collection here and is the largest of his works in Europe ...this picture of the mill caught my eye, a colourful bird's eye view<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/salt_mills_25_oct_09_023/4043210" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-023"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/210/4043210_cf683d6e23_m.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-023"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/user/miramaze/">Miramaze</a> mentioned to me that she visited there herself around two years ago and asked me if i'd seen the crocodile <img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"> ....well..."no"...I didn't see the crocodile but here are a few of the random objects that I did see whilst perusing Salt's Mill.</p> <p><u>Hockney works</u><br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-006"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/480/4054480_c26e8d4db9_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-006"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-015"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/950/4053950_f3d04cc66b_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-015"></a></p> <p><u>Shop displays</u></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-002"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/956/4053956_73dab1c667_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-002"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-012"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/944/4053944_836a76eebe_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-012"></a></p> <p><u>The Chimney</u></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-010"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/938/4053938_208cab29e2_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-010"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/salt_mills_25_oct_09_025/4053951" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-025"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/951/4053951_09a0a80d77_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-025"></a><br> ...and not forgetting the stray Baa lamb <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/salt_mills_25_oct_09_009/4053926" title="salt-mills-25-oct-09-009"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/926/4053926_96e5066572_s.jpg" alt="salt-mills-25-oct-09-009"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/a-visit-to-salt-s-mills-7270676/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>salts-millshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/a-visit-to-salt-s-mills-7270676/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/a-bit-of-a-grey-day-7223039/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-22:/2009/10/22/a-bit-of-a-grey-day-7223039/Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:54:28 +0200 <p><strong>It's a dismal overcast day here in the wild west of Yorkshire but still t'old man ventured into the garden earlier to "give the lawn one last mow for this year"..that's a sign of how bored he is as i'm sure he said the same thing last week <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"><br> I'd prepared the ingredients to make a warming shepherd's pie but then retreated to the 'box room' to wait for a return phone call hoping to gain some useful advice. Meanwhile my computer is playing up..sometimes I can get online and sometimes it is slow loading up and navigating a site can be problematic. The computer is old now and probably needs a complete overhaul but that means calling in the son-in-law as i'm not savvy enough to do it myself. <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"><br> Maybe now is the time to buy that long promised laptap but do I buy one with XP or Vista or maybe I should wait until the new windows 7 which is on sale from today has established itself <img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"><br> Questions, decisions .. decisions, questions ..one can get quite dizzy <img src="/img/smilies/icon_confused.gif" alt=":-/" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Ah well... there's an enticing smell wafting up the stairs, it seems like the shepherd's pie is ready for eating so see you later ...if the computer behaves that is! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/a-bit-of-a-grey-day-7223039/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/a-bit-of-a-grey-day-7223039/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/what-a-difference-a-year-makes-7208677/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-20:/2009/10/20/what-a-difference-a-year-makes-7208677/Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:41:56 +0200 <p>PAH! it is almost a year since I was so excited at receiving this!<img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://blingee.com/blingee/view/73106853-Bus-pass" title="Build your own Blingee"><img alt="Bus pass" border="0" height="210" src="http://image.blingee.com/images15/content/output/000/000/000/45b/298785992_1119163.gif" title="Bus pass" width="280"></a><br> <a href="http://blingee.com" title="Build your own Blingee">Build your own Blingee</a></p> <p>I whooped and I skipped and shouted out with glee.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I delighted in flashing it to the bus drivers throughout the winter months and I couldn't wait for summer to come when it would really prove its worth.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"><br> It's been redundant for a while <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Just goes to show...one shouldn't get too blase as you never know what's around the corner ..and it usually isn't buses! <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/what-a-difference-a-year-makes-7208677/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/what-a-difference-a-year-makes-7208677/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/be-happy-7186768/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-17:/2009/10/17/be-happy-7186768/Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:28:18 +0200 <p> HAVE A   <br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/images_2/4009882" title="images-(2)"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/882/4009882_01db1b7cf9_m.jpg" alt="images-(2)"></a></p> <p>...and if you do happen to stay glued to the computer all day do what <a href="http://eagle-eye.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/blog-moods-7182299/">KINGKEV</a> says and make it a Blog Happy Day.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/35078_clipart_illustration_of_a_smiley_face_on_a_desktop_computer_screen/4009928" title="35078-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Smiley-Face-On-A-Desktop-Computer-Screen"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/928/4009928_b144f84f7d_s.jpg" alt="35078-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Smiley-Face-On-A-Desktop-Computer-Screen"></a></p> <p>As for me i'll probably be in and out of blog all day..i'll try to be Happy <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> but I have been pre-occupied lately with a decision I have to make!...<br> it is a no win situation..."there are no right decisions ,there are no wrong decisions, whatever decision is made is the right one" <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"><br> I've got 'til next Friday to decide (sorry for being so cryptic,I may blog about it soon)<br> so perhaps a 'blog happy day' is a good diversion for today </p> <p>Have a good one y'all <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/be-happy-7186768/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/be-happy-7186768/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/old-habits-die-hard-7173896/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-15:/2009/10/15/old-habits-die-hard-7173896/Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:38:56 +0200 <p>Yesterday I went to my U3A spanish language class for the first time in months.<br> Afterwards we usually pop into the fruit and veg shop opposite the library where the class is held, the shopkeeper remarked that she had missed me calling in these last few months.<br> I deducted that the reason why she had missed me was that I always bought the 'almost past it' fruit and veg she displays in a box which are sold off at a dirt cheap price and judging by the amount of produce in the box no-one else in the village must be bothered to buy them.</p> <p>I got all these peppers with a couple of bruised apples thrown in for less than 50p, so you see apart from her missing me. I have missed calling in on her too.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/fruit_and_veg_007/4004963" title="Fruit-and-veg-007"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/963/4004963_b5d4f603e9_m.jpg" alt="Fruit-and-veg-007"></a></p> <p>I used to make soup or ratatouille with the bargain produce previously, I'm wondering what else I could make with them.</p> <p>I was also given a bag of pears collected from a neighbour's trees,</p> <p>Pear crumble anyone? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/fruit_and_veg_002/4004976" title="Fruit-and-veg-002"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/976/4004976_2897cb122f_m.jpg" alt="Fruit-and-veg-002"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/old-habits-die-hard-7173896/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/old-habits-die-hard-7173896/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/nice-to-see-you-to-see-you-7153150/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-12:/2009/10/12/nice-to-see-you-to-see-you-7153150/Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:22:12 +0200 <p><strong>Half an hour ago I waved off two of my blogging friends, La Spice and Murphymole.<br> They had stopped by to say "hello" to me en-route to Lancashire.</p> <p>I tend to talk ten to the dozen when I meet new people, but I needn't have worried as all three of us had plenty to say and two and half hours passed by very quickly.<br> La Spice has visited other bloggers this week and I remarked that she must have met a sizeable portion of 'friends' on her list now.<br> I couldn't let the opportunity pass by not introducing them to two other<br> *ahem* 'superstar bloggers'<img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Here they all are</p> <p><a href="http://isasnumberfourblog.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/bloggers-who-are-they-7153100/">OVER HERE</a></p> <p>It was great to see you both, you were exactly as I imagined..warm, kind, friendly and funny...and thanks for the pressie...it is just what I wanted <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> Xx </p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/nice-to-see-you-to-see-you-7153150/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>andmurphymolehttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/nice-to-see-you-to-see-you-7153150/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/for-the-joy-of-it-7146240/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-11:/2009/10/11/for-the-joy-of-it-7146240/Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:31:41 +0200 <p>Thank goodness for friends.<br> It seems ages since I have been to my classes and mixed with all the 'ladies' who I have a bit of a repartee with most weeks, so I was very pleased when Kathy phoned yesterday morning and asked if I wanted to go along to the twice yearly <u><a href="http://www.jewelofyorkshire.co.uk/">JOY</a></u> event in Saltaire (JOY abbreviates for JEWEL OF YORKSHIRE) which we have attended a few times before.<br> I explained that I couldn't possibly attend any workshops or even stay out for more than a few hours before I would be wanting the comfort of my old settee.<br> "That's Ok she said" we'll just go along to look at the 'souk' which is set up in the main hall and have some lunch in the makeshift cafe that is also set up for the event.<br> "Great" I said, "let's go"</p> <p>It is a hive of activity in the main hall in the middle of the day,with lots of dancers and teachers sitting around, whiling away time between attending workshops, chatting and eating lunch.<br> I met quite a few people I knew so it was lovely to catch up with them.</p> <p>I spotted two international male belly dancers( Yes, indeedy, there are one or two of this strange species around)<br> I have seen them both perform a couple of times and have chatted with them before so they were quite happy to allow me to take their pic whilst they were discussing one of Egyptian dancer <a href="http://www.bodoura.com/khaled/about.html">Khaled Mahmoud's</a> props 'The Candelabra'also known in the dance as 'Shamadam'.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/joy_oct_10_09_009/3990055" title="JOY-oct-10-09-009"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/055/3990055_a826338047_s.jpg" alt="JOY-oct-10-09-009"></a><br> I found a short video of khaled doing the dance with a female egyptian dancer Aida Noor but unfortunately embedding is disabled so if you want to see how they dance with this adornment on their heads then click the link.<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUqHowxvTCI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUqHowxvTCI</a></p> <p>Khaled offered <a href="http://www.ozgen.co.uk/">Turkish dancer Ozgen </a> a try of his candalabra helmet but his head must be smaller than Khaled's as he daren't let go of it<img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/joy_oct_10_09_008/3990056" title="JOY-oct-10-09-008"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/056/3990056_3b8f08debc_s.jpg" alt="JOY-oct-10-09-008"></a></p> <p>There were lots of lovely things to buy at the souk but my ability to dance nowadays doesn't warrant spending any more money on outfits ..but Kathy did manage to buy some brightly coloured sticks for her class to use when she teaches them a new 'stick dance' <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> There will be a lot of ducking and diving when she starts to teach them a stick dance <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> traditionally Stick dances are performed by men, here's an example of this<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsG7Y7C_uno">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsG7Y7C_uno</a><br> Shades of morris dancing..don't you think!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/joy_oct_10_09_003/3990068" title="JOY-oct-10-09-003"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/068/3990068_32068d073f_s.jpg" alt="JOY-oct-10-09-003"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/joy_oct_10_09_004/3990071" title="JOY-oct-10-09-004"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/071/3990071_4537181af3_s.jpg" alt="JOY-oct-10-09-004"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/for-the-joy-of-it-7146240/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>shamadan-joy-event-saltairehttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/for-the-joy-of-it-7146240/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/nay-neigh-7120580/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-07:/2009/10/07/nay-neigh-7120580/Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:40:34 +0200 <p><strong>My hair has started sprouting again and I fear that if I leave it to grow 'au naturel' it will eventually resemble the mane of this splendid creature and not the vibrant brunette that everyone recognised me as before <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/imgp2293/3975135" title="IMGP2293"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/135/3975135_d30b9f5ac3_s.jpg" alt="IMGP2293"></a></p> <p>It won't be for a while though as I expect my hair to remain close crop until at least next spring.</p> <p>.............</p> <p>Here's another snap which I took in Spain last year of the same horse.<br> A classic example of how <em>not</em> to take photos <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Title...The horse with eight legs <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/imgp2294/3975140" title="IMGP2294"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/140/3975140_1944b66a64_m.jpg" alt="IMGP2294"></a></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/nay-neigh-7120580/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/nay-neigh-7120580/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/my-first-meme-7113309/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-06:/2009/10/06/my-first-meme-7113309/Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:06:27 +0200 <p>Everyone's been doing it so here's mine.</p> <p><strong>1. Who was your first love?<br> <em>Gerry, he was an art student,it was unreciprocated, I was heartbroken for years.</p> <p>2. Who was your first kiss and when?<br> It was Pete from the youth club, I was 14.</p> <p>3. Who was your first prom date?<br> A prom?...not way back then <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>4. Who was your first room mate?<br> At home I shared a room with little sis while big sis had one all to herself!</p> <p>5. What was your first job, and how old were you?<br> I left Grammar school a failure when I was 15. Dad made me go straight to work in the shirt factory as a presser. </p> <p>6. What was your first car?<br> Never had one as I never learnt to drive. T'old man had a works van(peugot)for years though.</p> <p>7.When did you go to your first funeral?<br> Had to think about this..I remember gran and grandad dying when I was little but can't recall going to the funeral so I guess it must have been my dad's about 37 years ago.</p> <p>8. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?<br> 19</p> <p>9. Who was your third grade teacher?<br> Haven't got a clue. </p> <p>10. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?<br> Gran Canaria.</p> <p>11. Where did you go for your first date and who was it with?<br> A boy called Rob...we went to the local picture house..it was probably showing Hopalong-Cassiday!</p> <p>12. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?<br> I never snuck out but I do remember once when I was about 17 I had been on a pub crawl with my mates and me and Corrina, in our drunkeness, decided to hitchhike to London. We got a lift in a lorry and I asked the driver to do a slight detour to my house so I could sneak an explanatory note through the letter box so mam wouldn't worry ( we had no phone in the house back then).</p> <p>13. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them?<br> My cousin Iris...I haven't seen her for over twenty five years now.</p> <p>14. Who was the first person to send you flowers?<br> I can't remember receiving any before the time t'old man sent me some through interflora when he had gone away to work in Saudi(around 1981).</p> <p>15. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents house?<br> I was working and living in a guest house in Great Yarmouth.</p> <p>16. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?<br> I don't usually <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"> ... but I have been known to have a good moan to little sis on occasions<img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>17. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?<br> I never have been <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>18. What was the first concert you went to?<br> Lordy lord...Don't remember which came first!...it was about 1967 and it was either 'The Who' at Barnsley Civic Centre or 'Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders' at Leeds Grand Theatre.<br> </em></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/my-first-meme-7113309/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>first-memehttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/my-first-meme-7113309/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/turned-tables-or-the-tables-have-turned-7109822/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-10-06:/2009/10/06/turned-tables-or-the-tables-have-turned-7109822/Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:36:03 +0200 <p><strong>When anyone comes to visit me nowadays, t'old man scarpers, he can't do with 'women's talk' he says.<br> If it is only a short visit he will disappear into the garden with the pretence of being industrious <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> but if it is a visit of a much longer duration he often sees it as the green light to disappear down to the pub <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"><br> This suits me fine most of the time 'cos why would I want him around when all I want is a girly chat with my visitor, yet on the very rare occasions when he has visitors it is usually me who scurries round organising tea and/or perhaps a finger buffet.</p> <p>This afternoon he has an elderly gentleman friend visiting, he usually visits about three times a year and is partial to my home-made cheese and onion pie and jam tarts. Today I don't feel like entertaining but i'll put in an appearance 'cos although this gentleman comes to see t'old man he obviously would like to know how i'm getting on.</p> <p>"What should I give him to eat?" babbled t'old man<br> "I don't know" I replied " go to the supermarket and buy something.</p> <p>So off he toddled this morning and 'eureka' he came back with some white baps, boiled ham and a battenbug cake<img src="/img/smilies/graysmilewinkgrin.gif" alt=";D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>He's buttering the baps as I type so who was it that said "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"?...we're going to prove that rufty tufty contracters can entertain in other places barr down the pub after all <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/superstock_1614r_9687/3972914" title="SuperStock_1614R-9687"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/914/3972914_b2d2a99180_s.jpg" alt="SuperStock_1614R-9687"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/battenburg/3972897" title="Battenburg"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/897/3972897_1c0596ad52_m.png" alt="Battenburg"></a></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/turned-tables-or-the-tables-have-turned-7109822/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>battenburg-entertaininghttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/turned-tables-or-the-tables-have-turned-7109822/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/28/a-family-outing-7057643/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-09-28:/2009/09/28/a-family-outing-7057643/Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:13:07 +0200 <p><strong>My two sisters came to visit me today so we drove to a local beauty spot so I could have a change of scenery on my daily walk(as blogged about previously). The sun was shining although there was a bit of a breeze although this didn't seem to bother the ducks much.<br> I wasn't going to bother posting any pics of the ducks and geese but they posed so nicely I couldn't resist.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/walk_sept_28th_014/3946052" title="Walk-sept-28th-014"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/052/3946052_d0c925a345_s.jpg" alt="Walk-sept-28th-014"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/walk_sept_28th_010/3946060" title="Walk-sept-28th-010"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/060/3946060_20cc5777c2_s.jpg" alt="Walk-sept-28th-010"></a></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Walk-sept-28th-018"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/038/3946038_f544034bd6_m.jpg" alt="Walk-sept-28th-018"></a></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/28/a-family-outing-7057643/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/28/a-family-outing-7057643/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/28/it-comes-to-all-of-us-eventually-7053874/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-09-28:/2009/09/28/it-comes-to-all-of-us-eventually-7053874/Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:46:15 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/elderly_person_blogging/3943092" title="elderly-person-blogging"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/092/3943092_b6755f5803_t.jpg" alt="elderly-person-blogging"></a><br> For over twenty years, t'old man and myself have periodically looked out through the living room window and commented upon the old people who, without fail, pass by our window every day with such regularity on their daily walk around the block.<br> In our ignorance we would comment to each other on how commendable it was that the pensioners persisted in their pilgrimage to keep active while at the same time jesting that if we were ever reduced to the same routine we would be inclined to 'give up the ghost'.<img src="/img/smilies/grayuhoh.gif" alt="U-(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>So, what have I been doing this last week or so??<br> You guessed it ... i've been taking a daily walk around the block in order to regain my health, it is about as far as I can go just now and I have been grateful for it.<br> I will never be blase again, these oldies know what is good for them ...only it will be nice when I can abandon my daily sojourn around the neighbourhood in the hope that I can get back to this activity once again </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/googleimageresultforhttp_home_att_net_coledon_gograny_gif/786403" title="GoogleImageResultforhttp--home.att.net--coledon-gograny.gif"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/403/786403_d880385799_m.gif" alt="GoogleImageResultforhttp--home.att.net--coledon-gograny.gif"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/28/it-comes-to-all-of-us-eventually-7053874/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/28/it-comes-to-all-of-us-eventually-7053874/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/a-prize-is-a-prize-7006038/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-09-20:/2009/09/20/a-prize-is-a-prize-7006038/Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:33:15 +0200 <p><strong>T'old man has held just £500's worth of premium bonds for years and years now.</p> <p>He has only ever won one prize which was a few years ago and was the lowest prize of £50.</p> <p>In the post yesterday he had a surprise as he recived notification of his second ever premium bond win.</p> <p>Alas it was the lowest prize once again only this time it is £25, the scrooges have reduced the lowest possible prize in half recently <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> I keep on telling him to cash them in but NO..he insists he'll win a biggie prize one day ..YEAH! like he's always going to when he checks his lottery tickets every week <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/a-prize-is-a-prize-7006038/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/20/a-prize-is-a-prize-7006038/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/from-the-place-called-home-6943011/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-09-11:/2009/09/11/from-the-place-called-home-6943011/Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:41:51 +0200 <p><strong><em><span>My, what a roller-coaster fortnight that has been!!</p> <p>I have arrived home in one piece (not strictly true as i'm minus a few interior bits) albeit a little battered and bruised, but i'm quite well considering.</span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span>I'd like to thank Marika for the well crafted "friend's posts" she placed for me and all the lovely messages that were left, they boosted me tremendously <img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/image/smileys/05biggrin.gif" alt=""><br>It'll be back to my usual drivel soon but as i'm still sorting out my "new" plumbing and settling back in that's all for now <img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/image/smileys/icon_wave.gif" alt=""></span></em></strong></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/from-the-place-called-home-6943011/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>roller-coasterhttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/from-the-place-called-home-6943011/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/25/that-s-all-for-now-i-think-6820312/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-25:/2009/08/25/that-s-all-for-now-i-think-6820312/Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:23:47 +0200 <p>Thought i'd carry on my postings on a colourful note so here are some exhibits from the best flower and vegetable competitions at the Mirfield agricultural show.</p> <p>These Gladioli put my poor specimins to shame<br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-018"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/155/3822155_db67b7d2bf_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-018"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-021"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/673/3819673_bfef9f4e23_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-021"></a></p> <p> Pompom dahlias are a favourite of mine, they remind me of when I was a child as my dad used to grow these in our garden.<br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-015"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/166/3822166_e1653f4462_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-015"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-013"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/663/3819663_e08d2ac696_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-013"></a></p> <p>Do you know your onions?<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mirfield_show_9_017/3819660" title="Mirfield-show-)9-017"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/660/3819660_d6f2d7009f_m.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-017"></a></p> <p>Ha! if i'd known there was a section for best jam tart, i'd have entered some of mine! <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-025"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/664/3819664_9fa8bf016a_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-025"></a><br> That's all folks, I may just check in tomorrow morning if 'that phone call' comes later rather than earlier..but if I can't then take care y'all and i'll hopefully be back in a couple of weeks <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/25/that-s-all-for-now-i-think-6820312/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/25/that-s-all-for-now-i-think-6820312/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/look-out-farmers-on-the-pull-6810749/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-24:/2009/08/24/look-out-farmers-on-the-pull-6810749/Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:32:50 +0200 <p><strong>So where do Farmer's go to pull then? <img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-056"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/708/3819708_2215920cc6_m.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-056"></a></p> <p>At the Yorkshire Venison centre stand, of course <img src="/img/smilies/graysmilewinkgrin.gif" alt=";D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-055"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/706/3819706_a65a0d869a_m.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-055"></a></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/look-out-farmers-on-the-pull-6810749/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/look-out-farmers-on-the-pull-6810749/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/where-to-go-6808602/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-24:/2009/08/24/where-to-go-6808602/Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:47:59 +0200 <p><strong>In a last ditch attempt at 'getting out' myself and my sis decided to have a day out, the weather was set fair but where should we go?<br> There were no little folk festivals to be held locally this week although there was Whitby's week long Folk Festival beginning but it also clashed with 'regatta weekend' so the little town would be packed and parking would be a nightmare.<br> I discovered that there was a free 'party in the park' concert going in in Dewsbury but did we really want to queue up with twenty thousand 'teenies' to see McFly and fab Ironik(whoever they are)...we decided not.<br> So we eventually settled on a visit to <a href="http://www.mirfieldshow.com/homepage.htm">Mirfield Agricultural show</a> and a good day we had too.<br> There was a good mix of events from flower and produce competions, horse and Dog shows, tug of war competions, beer tent, children's activities and much more.</p> <p>There was a good crowd and half the adults seemed to be accompanied by their dogs as the 'fun' dog competions are very popular.<br> Here a few pics of people and dogs which I took yesterday.<br> Click on all pics to enlarge</p> <p>He loves his dog!<img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-032"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/676/3819676_ea10e0c792_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-032"></a></p> <p>He does too...this little dog was the winner of 'the dog with the waggiest tail competion'!<img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-033"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/677/3819677_18432a6e43_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-033"></a></p> <p>Do owners resemble their pets?<br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-031"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/981/3819981_41190fda6b_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-031"></a></p> <p>Just a minute..what's going on here!<br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-011"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/637/3819637_1648d1cbac_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-011"></a></p> <p>Ah, now I see, that's where he usually hangs out!</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-037"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/705/3819705_398f2f3e2d_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-037"></a></p> <p>Finally none doggy pics for Mira ... Alpacas<br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-048"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/690/3819690_086f6536e9_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-048"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Mirfield-show-)9-052"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/709/3819709_5a2aa2ac9a_s.jpg" alt="Mirfield-show-)9-052"></a><br> ...what was it I said I was looking out for? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/where-to-go-6808602/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>mirfield-dog-pictureshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/where-to-go-6808602/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/this-just-about-sums-it-up-6778083/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-21:/2009/08/21/this-just-about-sums-it-up-6778083/Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:16:06 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/4109vnwhzcl_sl500_aa240/3810529" title="4109VNWHZCL._SL500_AA240_"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/529/3810529_c30c471688_s.jpg" alt="4109VNWHZCL._SL500_AA240_"></a></p> <p>I Don't Want to Go to Hospital (A Little Princess story) (Paperback)<br> by Tony Ross (Illustrator) </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/51v87qz107l_ss400/3810538" title="51V87QZ107L__SS400_"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/538/3810538_1d212d0215_m.jpg" alt="51V87QZ107L__SS400_"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/51xpbz1ap5l_ss400/3810539" title="51XPBZ1AP5L__SS400_"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/539/3810539_3e728f869a_m.jpg" alt="51XPBZ1AP5L__SS400_"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/51kwz0vhw9l_ss400/3810540" title="51KWZ0VHW9L__SS400_"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/540/3810540_b05adff531_m.jpg" alt="51KWZ0VHW9L__SS400_"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/51mxjghk7zl_ss400/3810541" title="51MXJGHK7ZL__SS400_"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/541/3810541_d42a8d7e64_m.jpg" alt="51MXJGHK7ZL__SS400_"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/51411a1snql_ss400/3810542" title="51411A1SNQL__SS400_"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/542/3810542_96202bebac_m.jpg" alt="51411A1SNQL__SS400_"></a></p> <p><strong><em>Well alright...if I really have to then!!</p> <p></em></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/this-just-about-sums-it-up-6778083/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/this-just-about-sums-it-up-6778083/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/he-doesn-t-have-to-do-it-6772704/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-21:/2009/08/21/he-doesn-t-have-to-do-it-6772704/Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:54:58 +0200 <p><strong>As I sit here at my computer, t'old man has been looking round for "jobs" to do. The lawn has been mown, he's been for a walk and now I can hear the sound of chop, chopping coming from the kitchen.</p> <p>He's decided to prepare all the vegetable which are left in the vegetable basket, e.g carrots, onions, courgettes, peppers and mushrooms so that I can make some ratatouille and vegetable soup later this afternoon.</p> <p>The only thing is that he won't be able to taste the finished product until tomorrow evening or maybe even Sunday because tomorrow he has to have a routine colonoscopy so therefore he has to fast all day today and tomorrow morn in order to have a clean bowel.</p> <p>He's a devil for punishment he is, seeing as he's getting hunger pangs already ..he loves his food! <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"><br> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/he-doesn-t-have-to-do-it-6772704/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/he-doesn-t-have-to-do-it-6772704/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/the-power-of-might-6772352/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-21:/2009/08/21/the-power-of-might-6772352/Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:48:52 +0200 <p><strong>I might blog a lot today although I have no idea what I will blog about that doesn't convey anxiety and apprehension.<br> I have been having reasonably happy and "normal" thoughts on occasions ....but always lurking there in the background.................</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/the-power-of-might-6772352/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/the-power-of-might-6772352/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/17/another-not-so-brilliant-idea-6746689/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-17:/2009/08/17/another-not-so-brilliant-idea-6746689/Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:58:19 +0200 <p><strong>T'old man suggested it<br> "Let's get rid of all that loose change you've been collecting for months"</p> <p>So we took the shopping trolley (we don't drive) to collect some groceries and dispose of the coins at the same time.</p> <p><em>SORRY THIS MACHINE IS TEMPORARILY OUT OF ORDER, A TECHNICIAN HAS BEEN CALLED!</em><br> I should have known!..the 'coin-star machine' is usually full on Monday mornings as all the world seem to cash in their coppers over the weekend.</p> <p>"Well, we're not taking them home" says I "they weigh a ton and my granny shopper will buckle under the weight with all the shopping in there too, I know i'll put them in my locker" <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>My locker key was in my bag so I sneaked into the staff area, creating a few odd looks along the way as this strange woman wearing a 'turban' around her head (I really can't bring myself to wear the wig!) headed straight for locker no 170.<br> It was with trepidation I put the key into the lock, opened the door and Eureka! my things were still inside, my coffee jar, my name badges, my bakery apron and hat, they were there just as i'd left them last Easter.....but why wouldn't they be?<br> I might know it, and you might know it, that the possibility of me ever going back to work at the supermarket are quite remote but while I am still officially employed there this locker is mine.<br> I snuck past the People's Manager's office, past the the admin room and back into the store again feeling somewhat nostalgic for all the 20 years I actually worked in the place.<br> When I was fit and healthy I used to wonder.."What the heck am I doing working here!? " but today I thought .."I wish I was healthy enough to come back and work here" C'est la vie.</p> <p>Post script<br> I went through the till of the young check-out operator who reported me that time(anyone remember?) for suspected misuse of my discount card...she looked quite sheepish as I bit my tongue but waved my card at her instead when I payed for the goods.</p> <p>I didn't want revenge but at least she knows now<img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":>" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/17/another-not-so-brilliant-idea-6746689/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/17/another-not-so-brilliant-idea-6746689/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/when-there-s-nowt-in-pantry-6731704/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-15:/2009/08/15/when-there-s-nowt-in-pantry-6731704/Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:13:10 +0200 <p>A cordon bleu chef i'll never be<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/characture/3790324" title="characture"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/324/3790324_614b52f95f_s.jpg" alt="characture"></a></p> <p>A la carte is not for me<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/main_course_fish/3790235" title="main_course_fish"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/235/3790235_b058336710_s.jpg" alt="main_course_fish"></a></p> <p>If you like your baking rough and ready<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/baking_004/3790223" title="baking-004"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/223/3790223_e783099c8e_s.jpg" alt="baking-004"></a><br> well steady on, now don't get heady.</p> <p>A foraging and a rooting we will go<a href="javascript:window.open(" title="baking 002"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/365/3790365_109bf21b0a_s.jpg" alt="baking 002"></a><br> and this is what I had to show<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/baking_008/3790234" title="baking-008"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/234/3790234_9b21b0a144_s.jpg" alt="baking-008"></a></p> <p>Nearly all gone now....me and t'old man have been scoffing them....just like our Yorkshire mothers used to bake back in the austere days<img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I'm not a poet and 'yes' I know it <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/when-there-s-nowt-in-pantry-6731704/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/when-there-s-nowt-in-pantry-6731704/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/pah-no-bum-spotting-this-year-6729011/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-15:/2009/08/15/pah-no-bum-spotting-this-year-6729011/Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:11:28 +0200 <p>Humph! There will be no Leed's Carnival picture fest for me this year as displayed in these posts <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/two-years-ago-i-posted-this-pic-taken-at-carnival-4638973/">HERE</a><br> and <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2008/08/25/hot-off-the-press-leeds-carnival-uncut-4636342/">HERE</a> ..in fact there hasn't been much of anything this summer!.</p> <p>Yesterday I ventured into town for a couple of hours mainly window shopping (the tat I did buy doesn't really count as "shopping") and it felt like a great excursion<img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"><br> Today I am going to cook a gooseberry crumble with the gooseberries from the bush in the garden and make a few jam tarts while i'm at it.<br> It doesn't get any more exciting than this <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I wonder if St. James's hospital is on the route to Chapeltown, if so, I may see some Carnival stragglers from the ward window <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <blockquote><p>Oo-er..i've just been scratching an itchy arm and it's come up into a rash............is it anxiety or paranoia setting in?!!</p></blockquote> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/pah-no-bum-spotting-this-year-6729011/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/pah-no-bum-spotting-this-year-6729011/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/11/versatile-6697947/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-11:/2009/08/11/versatile-6697947/Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:49:19 +0200 <p>If you've just moved into a house with a lovely mature garden but you have no garden furniture...then what do you do?<br> You bring out the surplus coffee tables and chairs found inside the house which were left by the previous owners to take your afternoon tea on a glorious sunny Sunday <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/153/3770153_4fd7baf895_s.jpg" alt="gladioli-008"><br> These type of tables are useful along with grotty kitchen tables for birthday barbecues on Saturdays too <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/11/versatile-6697947/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/11/versatile-6697947/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/02/from-the-bottom-up-6634784/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-08-02:/2009/08/02/from-the-bottom-up-6634784/Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:05:59 +0200 <p><strong><span>The gladiola petals are opening...from the bottom up as they do!</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span><a title="gladioli-003" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/816/3744816_def532f22c_s.jpg" alt="gladioli-003"></a><a title="gladioli-002" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/815/3744815_40f881e6f5_s.jpg" alt="gladioli-002"></a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span> </span></strong></p> <p><strong><span><a title="gladioli-004" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/819/3744819_4567d4a876_m.jpg" alt="gladioli-004"></a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>The garden is about as far as I have ventured these past three weeks although I have had some lovely visitors.<br>My friend Jane whose house I have stayed at in Andalucia came up to see me from Brighton.<br>We are like chalk and cheese and have our differences but I have known her since she was fourteen years old so we had a lot to catch up on as she has not long been back from Spain and had plenty to tell me <img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/image/smileys/smiley-smile2.gif" alt=""></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Hope everyone here is keeping well</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>love isadora xx</span></strong></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/02/from-the-bottom-up-6634784/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/08/02/from-the-bottom-up-6634784/#commentshttp://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/07/27/the-first-time-in-fifty-five-years-6597179/tag:isadora101.blog.co.uk,2009-07-27:/2009/07/27/the-first-time-in-fifty-five-years-6597179/Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:50:59 +0200 <p>Sorry fellas, I know this won't interest you!<br> but for the first since I was about five years old, that's fifty five years, I actually have nails of a decent length at the end of my fingers <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"><br> I have never even tried to grow them before, I was quite happy just chewing away!<br> I never tried to grow them this time either it's just that lately my sub-conscious has prevented me from putting anything 'foreign' into my mouth!( if you know what I mean<img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"> )<br> So now I am the proud owner of nails that need manicuring, a delight i've never experienced before <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Perhaps I should hire a little man like this one to give me 'the works'</p> <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/876/566876_10114c9d0a_m.jpg" alt="Painted nails"></p> <p>or maybe something a little more subtle like this<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/gel_20overlay_20with_20nail_20art/3725837" title="gel-20overlay-20with-20nail-20art"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/837/3725837_1995dc8e66_s.jpg" alt="gel-20overlay-20with-20nail-20art"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/07/27/the-first-time-in-fifty-five-years-6597179/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/07/27/the-first-time-in-fifty-five-years-6597179/#comments