Tag: blog

blog, Summer

Pink Lady

Dub Mouse

That wondrous yellow star in the earth sky…..that just so happens to blind you if you look too long at it or burn your skin. Okay maybe sol (scientific name) isn’t too wondrous after all.

Sunburn? It’s very ouchy isn’t it? If you say no, you’re either lying or one of the very lucky b*****ds (aka lying) who have had the joy of not resembling a lobster. You see reader, every year without fail I always get sunburnt. You’d think I’d have learnt my lesson by now but nooo not me!

One year I had badly burnt feet (I was being a stroppy teenager), they turned purple. Grade 3 burns if I remember, or at least to my teenage brain that’s what the doctor said, and yes whenever I’m out I always put sun stuff on exposed feet. At least I learnt from sunburn lesson there.

Why is it that when you get sunburnt, the blasted burn still keeps burns for a good couple of days no matter how cold you keep the burnt area. Some of you maybe lucky and can treat your burnt bits (behave) with after sun. Turns out I’m allergic to the stuff, no matter what brand I try. Always have to soak the areas constantly in cold water then when the heat finally goes use aloe Vera and moisturiser, desperately hoping I don’t peel (I always peel).

One day I won’t get burnt and become a pink lady….nah who am I kidding, it’s becoming part of a kinda tradition.

retirement

Life Begins At………..

Dub Mouse
Retirement, next stop

Retirement, that thing that is never on your mind when you’re young but as the years roll by, you start thinking about it. Come mid 30s to 50s, you are worrying if have enough pennies squirrelled away and praying for years to hurry up so can actually retire.

Often wonder how the expression life begins at 60 came about and when you think about it, retirement age used to be 60. Considering you spend your teens and adult life working, you fully understand and appreciate how the saying came about. When you retire, you finally have your own life to lead, no work to worry about, you can become the person you should be without most worries.

Having said that, in today’s society the retirement age is increasing. By the time I retire….. then again, highly doubt there will be a retirement age by time I’m 60. What with the uk state pension age set to change to 70 and companies changing their schemes so you have to pay less and end up having to work longer.

Just because people are living longer, doesn’t mean that we should or want to work longer. There’s no way I want to be doing shift work when I’m 60 and over, I’d want to retire at 60 and finally get to live life, not stress about work and discover who I truly am.

Do you know what the other kick in the teeth is? All that time during your working life, you spent paying income tax….. only to discover that when you retire and start getting your pension, that you then have to pay tax on that money you earned. Why on Earth should people have to pay tax on the pension they spent the vast majority of their life putting away? You spend your working life giving to society and yet you are expected once you retired to keep paying?

Either way, I really hope I get to retire and I’m aiming for 60. Though the way things are going, I hardly doubt I will unless I win big in the lottery.

blog, hobby

Little Worm

Dub Mouse

From an early age we are all taught to read, it all starts from being a child when your parent will sit with you at bed time and read a story. You’ll end up following the story on the pages as your parent reads and slowly you will end up attempting to read (with guidance) along with them. Of course you process onto school where your reading improves, you’ll be picked by the teacher to read a few pages of the current book being read during English lessons and not forgetting the reading homework.


Bring on adulthood where you will either read on holiday, curl up on a winter’s evening with a nice book, read a very boring (yawning at the thought) “celebrity gossip” magazine whilst in your Doctor’s surgery waiting room – really? Who reads those shit things? I couldn’t give two hoots as to which overpaid football star, film star or these so called tv stars from those crappy “reality shows” (if you can call it reality) are marrying, divorcing, shagging or what toilet roll they’ve just brought.


I’ve recently had a big clear out of books and gave a load to charity, I’ve kept my favourite books and opted to start buying any on iBooks (apple app – as if the i part didn’t give it away). I tried the kindle app for a while but have found that the books sold are more expensive when compared to iBooks. Electronic books free up so much space in the house, are so much more lighter to carry and of course fit quite nicely into a bag. The only bad thing about using a electronic device for books is that when on holiday, the last thing you want is to take it to the beach and leave it unattended whilst you fancy a dip in the sea.


Everyone has their favourite books they would recommend to people. Here’s mine, in no particular order:


1) Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.There’s no need to explain this one, everyone knows who Holmes is and if you don’t – where have you been?


2) The Blitzcat by Robert Westall.Seen from a cat’s point of view as she travels through England during the Blitz in World War 2 trying to find her owner who serves in the R.A.F


3) The P.C Grant Novels by Ben Aaronovitch.This is a series which is about the adventures of Peter Grant, a young officer in the Metropolitan Police. After his unexpected encounter with a ghost, he is recruited into the small branch of the Met that deals with magic and the supernatural.


4) The Mudbug series by Jana DeLoren.About a ghost who comes back to haunt her ex-daughter inlaw. She only becomes visible to people who are about to experience near death.


5) The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy.If you have a young daughter, I would recommend this for her. This books are from my childhood and I still love them.They are about Mildred Hubble who is the worst student at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches.


6) James Herriot – All Creatures Great and Small series.These are semi-autobiographical books set in Yorkshire, United Kingdom about the authors experience as a country Veterinary Surgeon.


7) Police series by Mike Pannett.Very much like the James Herriot series except these are autobiographical and are about the Author. Based in Yorkshire during Mike’s time as a rural Bobby. Would recommend these books and if you’re on twitter, give him a follow. Mike is quite a nice chap: @MikePannett


I wanted to make my list have 10 books but to be honest I couldn’t think of 10. The ones above are my favourite books and would recommend you give them a try. What’s your favourite book that you’d recommend?

blog

The Sock Monster Part 2 – Small musings

Dub Mouse

You may or may not have read a previous blog all about the sock monster? For a recap: https://dubmouse.com/2019/04/04/the-sock-monster-part-one/

Anyway, I had no socks disappear for a while and I had assumed the sock monster had moved out, but after a whole year (and a few months) it appears a new one has moved in, and is quite comfortable in the washing machine chewing socks! I have a whole supermarket plastic bag full of odd ones.

There is one question which is bugging me and that is: does the sock monster eat the socks before a wash cycle, during a wash cycle or after? Maybe it likes the taste of strong cheese and so eats dirty socks or it loves the taste of mild cheese so eats mid cycle but then again maybe it’s a vegetarian and likes taste of flowers so will eat at end of a cycle.

I have no idea but I do wish the sock monster would just bugger off and leave ours alone!!!

Uncategorized

A Tribute To Emma Hudson

Dub Mouse

This an old blog from 2013, still think of Emma. Miss seeing her for rugby matches, having someone to talk to when needed other than bending my husband’s ear. She was a true friend and true friends are hard to find as you get older.

Emma (23/10/71 – 13/12/13) I’m not sure where to start really, it’s all still a little bit surreal that she has passed away. I’ve known Emma 13yrs, she was my training officer when I became a trainee scientist, helped me through university and my HCPC registration folder. I would write a bit, she would proof read and suggest any changes.

Emma was the person you could turn to in times of need or if you just needed some advice. She was amazing during my first marriage divorce, made sure I wasn’t alone and had a good knack of knowing when I was feeling low. If I ever wanted advice on things, Emma was the person I would turn to. Her advice was always correct and she knew how to keep you calm.

Memories of her are good ones such as rugby. When the six nations were on, it was always down to local pub for England games. I remember taking her to welford road, despite being a lifelong tigers fan, she had never quite managed to make it there. Her face and excitement when we arrived was just amazing. We’ve seen a few premier rugby union fixtures and when we couldn’t go, it was either round Emma’s for a match or round mine.

She was an extremely strong-willed woman and battled so hard for so long. I’m going to miss Emma, one of my life’s rocks. At least she is now pain free and at peace. Our local newspaper The Daily Echo had a tribute article on Emma. I’ve included the link below. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10911310.Top_scientist_dies_aged_42_after_dedicating_her_life_to_medical_research/

R.I.P Hudders

blog, Uncategorized, working from home

A Day In The Life Of Working From Home

Dub Mouse

We all know about the covid pandemic (if you don’t what planet do you life on and can I live there?), so due to being a high risk person (which is different to extremely vulnerable) as asthma is on the list of high risk, my work’s occupational health have given rules, one of them being that I must avoid groups of more than two people. As this is impossible to prevent in my place of work, it was deemed that it was better for me to work from home during day shifts. So I’d thought I would give you an insight into what a Scientist would get up to, this is my second and first full day of home working:

0720: I arrived at my new place of work and already one co-worker has taken my seat, he is now currently sat cleaning his feet and the boss is asleep in an upstairs office. So I take one look at my new colleague in my seat and go into the kitchen area to make a coffee, also decided to take the co worker who has stolen my seat a little breakfast treat before I find a desk to sit at – he eats his breakfast and is suddenly interested in what I’m eating, to the point I’m being stared at.

0800: After 15mins of trying to get the tablet and keyboard to work as well as downloading the documents needed, my co-worker next to me decides to then take my jumper, snuggle in it and fall asleep. About 45 minutes into my work trying to sort documents out for my Continued Personal Development folder, my seat stealing coworker decides he needs a wee and I have to go with him. There’s a catch to this, he doesn’t use a normal toilet and insists on going outside to back of the offices where he sniffs the air, patrols by the back gate entrance to building (which no one uses), walks around on the grass before finding the perfect spot and lifts his leg up for a pee. He will then sniff about for a bit before coming back inside, and curling back up for more sleep.

0914 sees my co-worker having a need to wash his bits in front of me for 2 mins and then looking out the window as he is the lead for something called neighbourhood woof duty, this basically involves looking out the window, waiting for:

1) a red coloured vehicle to pass and bark at it

2) a person to pass and bark at them

3) a dog to pass and go full on barking and growling at it

4) get excited and bark if think someone is coming to the building’s front door

Meanwhile my boss, who has yet to appear is still asleep in an upstairs office, I know this because can hear him snoring. I now need another coffee.

10am: The long awaited tea break time, seat stealer decided he needs an accompanied pee again but this is on false pretences, it’s actually an excuse to stand outside for 5mins sniffing the air, eating grass and chasing flies. Have decided seat stealer is a weird coworker.

Finally hear from the boss who messages down asking for coffee. Seat stealer needs a pee again…but I’m tricked as he sees this opportunity to sunbath! Boss comes downstairs and seat stealer runs inside, picks up a treat and takes it to him, what a suck up. Meanwhile I’m left standing outside with coffee in hand looking like I’m slacking off.

Boss and seat stealer are having a discussion about limited sunbathing and climbing over fences. Seat stealer is now asking to share the boss’s biscuits and the staring longingly worked. Do I get any? Nope.

1118: Boss is playing a survival game called last Oasis, apparently it is teaching him tactics and hunting skills in case it’s needed. Seat stealer is now laid on the floor by the back door, staring out longingly at the sunshine after being told he can have limited sunbathing time, due to escaping into the offices two blocks down.

1300: it’s time for lunch and as I’m new, it’s me who has been nominated to make it. Meanwhile, seat stealer has moved from sleeping position on floor by the boss to a sleeping position on sofa next to me. His job title appears to be Chief of The Dream Police as well as Neighbourhood Woof Scheme Lead and Chief Sun Worshiper. Food is served and suddenly seat stealer is awake, he eats his then sits in the middle of office floor and stares at boss and myself to see who caves in and gives him a bit of theirs. The boss exclaims he isn’t sharing bacon.

1400: lunch time over and seat stealer sits next to me, trying to get my attention by attempting to lick my face randomly. After a pet, he then decides to curl up and resume sleeping. Meanwhile the boss is talking to someone about the survival tactics they are learning. Seat stealer wakes up and demands I play with him, this involves standing on me and barking until I agree to play, as well as going outside for an accompanied pee. The short play results in sulking after I state I need to get back to typing. The boss just laughs and says he’s a bugger sod sometimes.

1500: The boss is on the beer after I needed him to help with technical issues – the keyboard stopped working with the tablet and I couldn’t save documents. This also took him away from his meeting on the latest creation in Last Oasis. Meanwhile seat stealer is still sulking with me over having to stop play and has gone behind the sofa so I can no longer see him, I suspect he has fallen asleep.

1600: Boss declares he is going for a nap after seat stealer and him have a play session. Seat stealer is still sulking with me so follows the boss upstairs and pesters him for some cold water then decides to come back down and pester me until I cave in to give him attention and give him some food. This ensures I have an afternoon tea break, not only does seat stealer have his food, he then demands I give him some of my cheese snacks by staring at me and doing a weird shuffle.

1700: fully satisfied that he has had enough of my cheese snacks, seat stealer falls asleep next me whilst testing my gag reflex with his farts. Meanwhile the boss’s nap session appears to have turned into a sleep session and I can hear him snoring in the office upstairs.

1800: the boss awakes from his nap, whilst seat stealer is fast asleep having taken up most of the seating area and constantly kicking me in order to try and make me move so he can stretch out more. I’m getting hungry, Brain is starting to hurt reading scientific papers and my tablet battery is now at 14%. I am feeling the urge to start drinking gin.

1830: my brain is fried, my tablet has died, I’m hungry, seat stealer is hungry and boss is hungry. I need gin and I’m done for the day.

blog, hobby

Dancing On Water

Dub Mouse

Ever wanted to go sailing? The fella’s dad invited us to do just that with him on his boat Star Dance. So whilst onboard, I thought I would do a blog of our sailing in Turkey and a mini trip to Greece:

After an hour’s delay to our flight from London Gatwick due to a thunderstorm as we were going to taxi for takeoff and then as we were due to take off, all topped off by bouts of turbulence during the flight, and a scary taxi ride to the Marina (as in rally car type driving down an off beat road in the dark 😱), we arrived, were greeted by the fella’s dad and welcomed onboard Star Dance. 

Day 1-3 : Saw us have a tour of the boat with loads of technical terms and quite a bit to remember along with where to stand and not stand. The sails were attached and Star Dance started to look how she should. We also learnt how to make rope coils – yes there is a way which stops the rope twisting into a figure of eight as you make a coil along with learning how to tie various knots onboard. 

Next saw us trying to get the wind vane fixed which proved difficult and failed. This involved the fella’s dad climbing up the main mast to replace the one up there as it was thought to be faulty, the fella even did some wiring.

The day before we set sail saw us going to Marmaris town, doing a little food shop to last 10 days along with a dingey shop. Later we had diesel delivered so Star Dance had a full tank. 

Sailing

Day 1 (You are welcome to have Rod Stewart’s I am sailing song stuck in your head when reading this): 

So after the skipper received a Certificate to leave harbour yesterday, we were able to set sail but first Star Dance needed prepping. We had to make sure everything was stowed away, the water tanks were full and then she had a little wash down to remove dust. 

A radio call was sent so we had someone arrive to be guided out the little mooring space from harbour and away we went. We were taught various things required during a sailing trip such as the log book, which needs to be recorded every hour (no this is not like Star Trek and unfortunately no star date is recorded). We did a practice of the Man Overboard manoeuvre aka M.O.B just in case any of us decided to fall over. We sailed for a few hours and finally anchored at Turunç (it sounds like to lunch hehehe) for the night. This area proved a wee bit choppy for me which was to trigger my nervousness scared cry mechanism for a little bit.  

Day 2: The night proved to be okay. Took me a while to fall asleep as swells made Star Dance roll but it was alright once I dozed off. Day two saw all the checks before setting off such as engine, sail prepping and filling in log book. It was also the fella’s 30th birthday. 

It was the day of proper sailing with sails up – it was a bit hairy but I found out it was easier to look aft (behind) rather than to the bow (front). 

We anchored at Bozuk Buka at 1351, which was quite a busy place. I had taken on the role of lunch maker. Also tried having a solar shower on deck (was a 20litre camping shower bag that heated up when sun was on it, however the hose part kept coming off and 20litres quickly became something like 5 😱.

Day 3: We left Bozuk fairly early and set Sail to Datça so we could check out of Turkey. The sail today was actually quite nice. As we were sailing, the greek rozzers appeared 😱 eek. It’s alright though, they weren’t interested and carried on sailing. 

Today I have experienced something interesting or rather challenging – Having a pee whilst sailing on choppy water. It’s not easy and you have to try and brace yourself so you don’t end up crashing through the loo door 😂. This has not happened so far, as I’ve figured out you turn sideways and brace with legs when stood. Standing up from sat down position however is not so easy 😕.

Day 4: We arrived at Datça, where we had to go ashore to the harbour, had our own escort (two dogs followed us around) and checked out of Turkey. We had to have passport checked by the police (they carry guns 😨) and had the transit log checked by a man called erm no idea how spelt but was said as oh f**k (honestly that is how he pronounced it). We then had a little wander round the harbour, one of the dogs had decided to keep following. Seemed almost spaniel like with a little fan (tuft of fur) at the end of its tail. I decided to give it a piece of pastry that I was eating. She seemed to enjoy it and asked for more by standing on her hind legs, little front paws up and did a little whimper. Me being me and a sucker for dogs….gave her a bit more, again she gobbled it down then wandered off into some shade. 

We were recommended to try some Turkish coffee by the fella’s dad. I’m not a fan, it was really grainy. No wonder a glass of water is given with it 😂.  

Back on board and away we sail again. I then start to feel icky, probably the coffee so I didn’t take many photos. We arrived at Panormitis in Greece which is a lovely peaceful place to anchor. Overnight it got very windy and in the distance over the top of the mountains we could see a lightning storm. 

  
Day 5: Today we go ashore to have a look around as well as get a receipt for something to prove we had gone out of Turkey waters so we could check back in back later. 

From Panormitis, you can catch a bus to Symi. We were told it starts at 0800, and so decided we could row ashore for 0830 to catch a slightly later bus. It proved to be a pain waiting. We asked at the little monastery cafe who said it didn’t start until 1030, so we waited a bit longer and the bus actually didn’t start until 1200!!! 😠 anyway, we waited for 1200 and as we were first you would have thought people would let us on right? No, instead they all tried to get on the mini bus before us, and so we used rugby tactics. Luckily there were “normal” seats available, I say normal because once all the bus seats were taken….. The driver went into the little luggage compartment and pulled out plastic stools which were handed down the bus to those standing! There is no way health and safety would allow this in UK and to be honest I can understand why. When the driver ran out of stools, he wandered off and grabbed a wooden chair from the monastery restaurant.

At Symi town we discover it’s a nice little harbour village though there isn’t much to do. We were told by the mini bus driver that we could meet back at drop off point to catch a bus for 1400. However there we were waiting expecting to see the silver bus we arrived in, then suddenly we see the driver drive away in a blue bus and he waved as he drove off, so we ended up getting a Taxi back for €25 – the driver was pretty good and stopped so we could get out at various places to take photos. 

Once back to Panormitis we visited the monastery. It was a bit disappointing as all it had were two tiny museums due to the main working part not open to the public. The monument was pretty interesting as we discovered that the monastery aided the allies during WW2 with counterintelligence, but were found out by the Germans and as a consequence the Abbot, his assistance and the radio operator were executed on the 11/02/1944. 

Did you know the Greeks have something called “Greek delight”? No neither did I. Now I’ve heard of Turkish delight and the proper stuff is amazing but had no idea that the Greeks did it too, so naturally I brought some. 

Day 6: We set sail back to Datça to check into Turkey again. The sail in the morning was a bit choppy but then it sorted itself out and was actually quite enjoyable.  

We arrive in Datça and had issues with anchoring as the previous time we arrived. Once ashore we went to the passport police and whilst there we got to see the “police dog” who was a giant Labrador and I mean giant but she was a big softy and rolled over on the floor for a tummy rub.

Day 7: We stayed anchored in Datça due to the weather and winds so this meant we got to go ashore for a day. We strolled around Datça and of course the very annoying thing about Turkey came about for the millionth time : none of the shops seem to have any change, however this was to my advantage as I went to buy a bracelet and because the shop keeper had no change….he let me have the bracelet for free!! Woohoo!! 

Day 8: Today was an early start – 0500 wake up in order to get the boat ready for sail at 0600. We actually managed to set sail at 0557 (it’s the small things). It was a lovely sail and managed most of it without engine aid. We made good time and arrived at Turunç at 1530, 9hrs 20 was a far better time than expected.

Day 9: We rolled during the night (as in very choppy side to side) so I didn’t have a good sleep. We ended up having a nice lazy morning and set sail at 1242 for a tour of marmaris bay to Pupa Anchorage.

Day 10: Today was the end of our sailing trip, so we had another lazy morning, with a nice little cooked breakfast onboard, soon after we Sailed for the Marina. 

Getting Star Dance scrubbed:

Day 1: Saw us having an early start as it was a working day. Star Dance had to be washed down, scrubbed and polished. All sea water had to be washed off as the salt if left will cause erosion. 

Day 2: We travelled to Marmaris town via a free ferry whilst the fella’s dad cleaned below deck. I somehow managed to get burnt feet. It was a very hot day, and so naturally we took stayed out the sun by sitting in bars as they were shaded areas and ended up eating two Kebabs 😆 

Conclusion:

Would I do sailing again….. Probably not as I wasn’t keen on the choppy water or the boat going at certain angles but at least I can say I tried it and on the plus side I throughly enjoyed the sights and some of the sailing. 

blog, Uncategorized

So… you think you’re clever.

Dub Mouse

In order for me to be able to do my paid job I had to go to university and do a bachelors degree in biomedical science. I was quite lucky in that my work paid for it, many others in my place have gone on to do a masters degree, again work paid for it because they wanted to advance in the career. That was stopped long ago and why I’ve never gone on to do masters degree because to be honest there’s no point if you can’t advance higher, the other reason is I struggled during the BSc. It was my limit.

One thing many people assume nowadays is that because you have a degree or have gone to university, this automatically makes you brainy, I can tell you it doesn’t. All my degree has done has enable me to do the job I do and give me better knowledge & understanding (though most disappeared after cramming as much as possible into my brain cells for exams).

In other terms….I’m no more clever than you, with the mere exception that I’m more knowledgable in a specific area. I know about biochemistry and why certain levels like potassium maybe raised or lowered. You for instance reader may know about computers, law, gardening, physics or maths – areas im not clued up in. It doesn’t make someone brainy just because they’ve gone to university or college for that matter, it just makes them become more specialised in a certain area.

Remember that saying: “no-one is more special than anyone else. We are all special in our own little way, and all special to someone.” Or something like that. I’m no different to you and no more brainer than you, I just have better knowledge in a certain area and I certainly don’t consider myself clever whatsoever.

blog, hobby

Old Lady Confession

Dub Mouse

Cross-stitch! WTF are you on about woman, I hear you cry. Yep cross-stitch, that thing where you makes crosses on fabric using needle and thread to make patterns, something that is normally associated with little old ladies sat in a club nattering away.

It happened when I stayed round my one of my nans, during a half-term or weekend. Cant remember age, maybe 13? Maybe 14? Or was it 15? (Is that the old lady memory loss kicking in?). I was helping nan as she was having a mini clear-out and we came across an embroidery set complete with threads, those wooden hoops things and fabric. (Her nan’s she said – though suspect it was hers). Sod the clearing-out, this looked far more interesting. The entire afternoon was spent with nan showing me how to do embroidery, and I went home armed with a bag full of threads and those hoop things.

Roll on a few years and I decide to pick it up and move onto cross-stitch as a way of keeping myself entertained. I subscribed to a couple of magazines, brought some cards, fabric and threads off eBay, then self-taught myself the art of cross-stitch. I started off by making birthday, Xmas and thank you cards.

Once I mastered those I thought would try a bit bigger and stitched something for cousins first born, then a hedgehog with sunflowers. I even managed to merge a design and create a little something for the bathroom.

A friend was diagnosed with cancer and I had found a quote for her (oddly enough from Star Trek original series) which was very apt advice, not just for her but it could apply to anyone – those afraid of make a chance or take a risk for something etc. she likes Japanese things and has even done cross-stitch herself, she’s done some lovely Japanese figures and framed them. Hudders asked me to do a design for her with a Japanese theme incorporating the quote, even went out, picked the colours, brought the threads and fabric for me. It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. Trying to find something Japanese to symbolise strength etc so I opted for symbol meanings, created a hand-drawn version then drew onto fabric so it was easier to stitch rather than creating a chart to work from. Hudders couldn’t of picked more difficult threads. Had to keep wetting them to make them workable. A large amount of swearing sessions occurred whilst creating that masterpiece. I had to get a frame especially made for the design because silly me didn’t think to make a design to fit within the bog standard frames. I never do things the easy way (is there one?), the completed piece now hangs on a wall in hudders bedroom as it was designed to fit in with her bedroom colour theme. Sadly Emma passed away on the evening of 13th December 2013.

My latest project was for the kitchen. It fits in well with my ideal colour & retro theme (for my ideal home – provided I ever afford one). I had started it months ago but then put it down for a while, cross-stitch is one of those things you have to be in the right frame of mind to do. The “bug” can hit and leave just as quickly (not much dissimilar to a held in fart allowed to escape. Those come out fast and quickly go). Its now finished after oh must be about three months now i think and hangs proudly underneath my retro style cream clock (why you need to know its a cream retro style clock I don’t know but hey now you do).

And roll forward to 2018, I no longer do cross stitch. Why? Because our rescue dog has decided he is far more worthy of attention than my hobby and every time I tried to sit down and get started, he would run off with the threads.

blog, Food, Healthy Eating

Smooth Operator

Dub Mouse

Have you ever seen those social media adverts and thought that product looks good but decided not to buy? I used to be the same but I took the plunge and so far I’ve brought a veg chopping thingy and some make up. Both have turned out to be good buys.

The latest product that I’ve brought as it kept appearing on Instagram, is the Blendjet. I looked at reviews and YouTube videos and decided ah what the hell, let’s try it. For £30 with no shipping fee, it was worth a punt. So in an attempt to try and be more healthy as well as cut down on the amount of rubbish I eat, especially on night shifts, I brought two (one is for the husband) and awaited their arrival.

The delivery time was actually quite good, took 6 days in total. Ordered on the 1st April and they arrived on the 6th. So instantly impressed with that part. Next was the actual item, mine is purple and the husband’s blue (our fave colours), loving the bright colours and the packaging is pretty good. The only con so far is that the blender still works with the lid off so bit of a safety thing there.

Beast ordered a load of frozen fruit, honestly almost a whole freezer full! We tried them on the Monday. Mixed fruit for breakfast and me being a scientist decided it would be good to experiment and boy was it. In my wisdom, I decided to look on the internet and found a blueberry cheesecake smoothie recipe and tried it, omg it’s delicious. Here’s the link in case you want to try:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.myfoodandfamily.com/amp/recipe/113240/blueberry-cheesecake-smoothie

So today (being 09/04/19), I looked for a recipe using peanut butter powder as we have some in the cupboard. Popped to the shop for rest of the ingredients and yup I tried a peanut butter and banana smoothie…this too was amazing. I used alpro almond milk and honey as the sweetener. Here’s the link: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2017/04/27/peanut-butter-banana-smoothie/

In all, I can definitely recommend buying blendjet. A well worth buy.