Dosa's are delicious!

To celebrate Graham's birthday a group of us went out to a Dosa retaurant. The food there is delicious. A Dosa is a crepe made from rice flour.
It is served with a selection of sauces and dips. You tear a chunk of crepe and dip it into spicy sauce. I had a Masala tea. It was a lot like Chai tea. It was beautifully spicy.
The staff were really friendly and the bill was really reasonable.
I would definitely recommend trying a Dosa if you have never had one.

This is my Gran tucking into a different kind of crepe!

Roast potatoes

I really like roast potatoes.
I had lovely roast potatoes for lunch today.
I don't know why roast potatoes are so much nicer than other potato dishes.
They go perfectly with gravy too.
I even like them cold with mustard so now you know!

I love this photo of summer flowers. It makes me think of long summer days....

getting used to the new

I feel pretty amazing. My life has changed a lot lately.
I have moved house and am in the process of buying somewhere new.
I had to clear out so much stuff in the moving process and at the time there was just so much to do. All that pressure is off now.
I don't know exactly how things will pan out but it is so nice knowing there aren't lots of things that need dealing with.
The kids were back in school today so you could argue everything is back to 'normal' but it feels different.
I am definitely entering a new phase in this adventure called life!
I like this photo for a number of reasons. the picture was given to me by some special people, I decorated it for Christmas and the decking in the background is in  my old lounge.
Happy memories!

back to work!

Lot's of pupils, students and staff went back to school and college today.
It is a weird feeling fitting into one routine after doing something completely different.
It was good to see everyone today and some staff are really good at baking and so I was able to benefit from some delicious potato salad, carrot cake etc.
It is weird getting up early after a week of getting up when I want but luckily my trusty alarm did not fail me!    
This is a short term and as the weeks go by Spring will gradually appear!              

Greenwich is lovely

Ollie loves going to Greenwich park. It is such a good place to go to meet other dogs and they are usually pretty friendly. The market is a brilliant place to buy lovely food and crafts.
It is a great place to go any time of year and the park looks different in every season.
The dogs love chasing the squirrels and Ollie keeps his eye on what the people are eating to see if he can steal something!
I sound like I am advertising the place but it really is one of my favourite places to go!
Back to work tomorrow, what happened to the week?
It will be Caravan season soon and lots of lovely camping trips in the van.
Spring is definitely on its way.

crazy dogs!

Ollie is having fun with Burt and Rufus.
Their idea of fun includes making wild growling noises and running about. Poor Rufus has a poorly paw so he isn't joining in with the mayhem as much as he would usually.
Ollie may be the smallest but he certainly makes the most noise and creates the most chaos.
If you came back as a dog, what breed would you come back as, given the choice?
Ollie is a Jack- Russell cross. I definitely think being him would be a lot of fun but you would need quite a thick skin as you would drive every human or animal within 100 metres absolutely crazy!

In this photo Ollie is quiet for a rare moment!

Soon be time for camping!

I looked up some camp-sites near to where my daughter lives as later this year we are going camping there. I love camping.
I watched Four in a Bed yesterday. This is a programme about B and B owners visiting and rating each other's places. On this episode one couple ran a 'Glamping' site. They had lovely little wooden pods for their guests to stay in. They looked beautiful and inside they appeared really cosy.
I would be quite happy living in one.
If only the planning laws were a little more flexible in  UK.
I think a lot of people would be happy living in a cabin with a nice wood-burner inside to keep them warm in the winter.
In the mean time I eagerly await camping season and look forward to some happy camping times in the weeks ahead!

How can it be Thursday so soon?

This week has gone by so fast!
I had a lovely walk out yesterday with the dogs and it was so sunny and mild it was so easy to imagine that Spring is nearby.
yesterday was Wednesday.
I find once Wednesday passes the week seems to gallop past and before you know it another week has gone.
It is lovely taking time out from work especially now all the moving chaos is past!

my friend Sarah's cute dog when he was a pup!

sunny days!

I have woken up this morning to beautiful sunshine streaming in through the window.
It is so good driving along in the sunshine too. It was beautiful in Folkestone yesterday. The sea and sky look fantastic when they are clear blue and the sun beams down.
There may be rain again soon but for now it is easy to imagine that Spring is just around the corner!

little flat

I made an offer on a sweet little flat today. I will have to see if the offer is accepted. It was a beautiful sunny day today and I spent time in Folkestone looking at the clear blue sea. It was absolutely stunning. The flat is just what I am looking for so time will tell if this is the place for me.
I believe everything happens for a reason so if the flat is right then my offer will be accepted and if not I will see what else is available.
It is  my lovely daughter's birthday tomorrow and I wish I could be there with her. I hope she enjoys the present I bought her. I am so proud of my kids and am really looking forward to seeing them both later this year.

Dear Mr Cameron, Please reconsider...

Dear Mr Cameron,
I was listening to the radio recently and heard that you are recommending cutting the benefits of people who are obese or drink and/or smoke heavily if they do not agree to treatment.
I sincerely hope that this never happens. Over eating, smoking and drinking excessively are addictions. People may well be aware that such behaviour risks their health but the reasons for this behaviour are deep seated and complex.
Many people caught up in addictive behaviour do this to block out extremely painful issues. They need support and care, not punishment and threats.
People rarely respond to 'the stick' approach.
Punishing these people for having an addiction will only lead to a spiral of depression and despair.
Many have families who rely on the benefits they receive and will suffer too.
Cutting the benefits of people who are already financially poor is surely not the answer.
Many rich people suffer from the same addictions you are targeting with this policy. I am pretty sure some members of your own party have these difficulties that they may be struggling to resolve even with considerably more money at their disposal.
I hope I misheard what was being discussed on the radio, I really do.
I would feel ashamed to live in a country that punished the poor and addicted by cutting their benefits and plunging them further into poverty especially at a time when the organisations that support people with addictions have had their funding cut.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31464897

last times....

I have just had my last afternoon in my house. Tomorrow morning will be my last morning and tonight is my last night.
I am excited!
Ollie is less pleased seeming rather confused at all the packing up and removing.
I am off to stay with friends for a while so I may not be using the computer as often but very soon I aim to have my own place and normal service will be resumed!
The house is clean and virtually empty now. I hope the couple moving in tomorrow will be really happy.
I have really appreciated having this place over the past 12 years and am looking forward to moving on to pastures new!

Happy Valentine's Day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DL0M9P1TXk

I love this song!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
It doesn't matter if you have a partner or not.
We all have people we love and care about. Today is a day to celebrate this!
Admittedly I am celebrating by moving my stuff and cleaning my house but I really don't mind as this marks a massive transition in my life.
I have loved living in my house as it has represented a safe place to return to at night over the past 12 years. I have had some happy times here but it is definitely time to move on.
I am hopeful that the place I am looking at early next week will turn out to be the one for me. I have a good feeling about it!

Very promising

I have had a lovely evening with friends two evenings in a row! Yesterday I met Ann,Jan, Trish, Barbara and Jill at The Parrot. Tonight I met work colleagues for a meal at the Moat. What a lovely way of celebrating the end of term and the end of my time in Canterbury.
I woke up in the small hours and couldn't sleep so I decided to have a look and see if there are any suitable properties available. I found a studio flat which I like the look of. I have arranged to see it on Tuesday. Fingers crossed it turns out to be good as it is in a lovely place and the photos look great!
This weekend is clear out and clear up time ready for the off!
How exciting!

exciting!

I am excited!
There is only one more day left of school and then I move my possessions over the weekend. ( The ones that I am keeping.)
Then on Monday I complete the sale of my house.
I am so grateful to have this house and that I have paid off some of the mortgage leaving me a sum of money to buy somewhere smaller.
This is a very exciting part of my life and I have no idea what the future will hold but for once I am not worried at all.
I embrace the future and can hardly wait to see what happens next!

I never knew that!

I was listening to Radio 1 today and in 'Rage Against The Answer Machine' someone commented on how ridiculous people look when they pull into a service station and park by a pump only to discover the fuel cap is on the wrong side so they are forced to move their car so they can reach the fuel pump..
There was talk of situations when others have experienced this. This has happened to me and is quite embarrassing as other people sit in their cars and watch you making a fool of yourself.

What I didn't know or hadn't noticed is that on your fuel gauge there is a little arrow that points out which side your fuel cap is on.
I looked at my dashboard and sure enough there was the arrow as clear as day.
How have I not noticed this before?

bravery and inspiration win through every time!

I feel rather overcome.I was driving home from work listening to the radio when it was confirmed that Kayla Mueller the Aid worker has died at the hands of ISIS.
I was very sad to hear this and yet it was heartening to hear all the things that she has done in her short life to make life better for people that are not lucky enough to live free lives. She has lived a purposeful life and nobody can take that from her. Kayla living her life has made life better for others.
This got me thinking again that there really are shoots of hope growing out of all the sad moments that are frequently broadcast on The News.
At school today a lovely man called Francis came to speak to the pupils about the importance of valuing Diversity and saying No to Racism.
There are so many people devoted to making a positive difference to the people they meet. In turn this helps to spread tolerance and understanding throughout the World.
When I hear about these amazing people I feel inspired and optimistic that we can build a bright future.

one more week!

We have one more week of term.
I have one more week in my house.
This is definitely a time of change and I am happy about that.
The children at school are tired and definitely ready for a break.
Roll on the holiday!
Six years ago I went to Venice with my kids in the February holiday. It was amazingly sunny and beautiful and also absolutely freezing!

empty house!

I had a crazy day on Saturday! I virtually cleared the house with the help of a couple of men with a van.
I have a few essentials around me but I have nothing surplus here.
It is a good feeling knowing that all my possessions are either useful or I really like them.
I spent today at Graham's and we took the dog out to the wood. It was a lovely day with the sun shining. The journey back was good and now Ollie and I are enjoying a relaxing evening.
We have one more week left of term and then my house should be sold and it will be the holiday!

Hey Ho Let's go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBUusDv6hXI

It's time for me to get my act together, get rid of all the rest of the stuff I don't need and clean up my house ready for the move!
Someone called Lee should be round later this morning to help me move everything.
This whole process has meant that I have had to rely on other people to help me. This is something I sometimes struggle with often preferring to do things myself but I have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I have received from friends, family and complete strangers as I move towards achieving this dream.
I wouldn't know where to start thanking them all individually but trust me on this~ I am so grateful!

the next step...

I dropped Ollie off at Graham's last night.
we had a nice takeaway and then in the morning I drove to work from there.
I worked a half day before returning home to meet the removal men from Necessary Furniture who arrived to remove furniture I no longer need but is still good enough for other people to benefit from.
I think it is such a good idea to have organisations like this around so that people on low incomes can afford to buy the furniture they need.
I also believe that what goes around comes around and so when we have things that we no longer need if we give them to others when we are in need ourselves help will come to us.
there is a lot of sorting out to do yet but I really am starting to realise that this is actually happening now!
Tomorrow the stuff I need to get rid of but is no use to anyone is going to be removed!

No news is good news?

I am finding it hard to decide how much News I want to listen to. The News seems mainly to be negative, plays people off one against another and spreads fear. This means that it is tempting to give it a miss altogether but on the other hand I do believe it is important to be informed about what is happening in the World particularly when some brave people risk their lives to let the World know about atrocities being committed.
I try to listen to the headlines and absorb the key points and then I try to step back and consider if there is another angle to what I have just heard.
I really think that it is important to keep things in perspective.
Bad things do happen in the World but so do good things and unfortunately the negative things seem to get the most air time.
I firmly believe that The World is a wonderful place full of amazing people. A small proportion of people have lost their way and need to rethink what they are doing to others.
When I hear News I try to consider if there is an alternative view and also consider the motives of the people sharing the story.
If they appear to be acting for the common good then fair enough as opposed to trying to manipulate the people and spread panic and mistrust.

The banana is still there!!!

I was walking along in the snow with Ollie this evening and to my amazement a banana I spotted weeks ago is still lying on the floor. I mistook it firstly for a large dog poo, then a dark green courgette before discovering its true identity was an extremely black and over-ripe banana.
I am not thinking perhaps I should go armed with dog poo bags on my hands and pick the beastie up as someone would come a real cropper on that beauty!
In other news the buyer came round this  evening to have another look at the house and tomorrow he is bringing his partner.
He seems like a very nice chap. I hope he will be very happy here.
I am so happy with the Estate Agent Will who came round this evening too. He is so helpful as are everyone who work at Locate. I would definitely recommend them to anyone selling in this area.

another productive day!

Yesterday I took things to the tip that can't be donated, sold, given away or recycled. Today I did another tip run and then loaded some things into my car to take to my caravan. I was struggling a bit to be honest as I tried to pick some heavy pictures up off the pavement to load into my car.
A teenager wearing a hoodie approached and asked if I needed any help. By this time I had things under control so I told them I was OK but 'thank's for offering, that was really kind.'
As they walked off they called over their shoulder,' I hope you have a good day.'
I said, 'Thanks, you too.'
I wish people would appreciate young people more. There is much more good than bad in them as was proved by this interaction.
I went to my caravan and was happy to find it in one piece and relatively damp free.
I was advised to leave bowls of salt out to soak up the moisture over winter and this appears to have worked as inside the caravan it is much less damp than this time last year.
The outside of the caravan needs a pressure wash and I have that booked in for the spring.
As I was unpacking my things and finding homes for them in the caravan I felt incredibly, joyfully happy.
I consider myself to be a happy person anyway but the feeling of freedom and peace that came over me was in another league!
It is a strange but positive experience whittling down possessions only keeping the things you really treasure.
I realise the things I value most are inexpensive. They include certain CD's, a few photo's and little gifts I have been given by people who really know me and really know what I like.
I may fit in one more tip run today and then I am almost ready to move!