This year has been amazing, the heat has been continuous and the rain absolutely absent.  This is so different to last year when I was reporting exactly the opposite and wondering if my family jaunt down to the south west might just get rained off!  We were trying to organise our online shopping to include…

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I was helping my in-laws to clear the bungalow of an relative who was moving into a care home – always a sad and job, to be done quickly and with as little maudling as possible.  Nobody else wanted anything and planned to put most in online auctions . I took all the top quality…

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With so many very large shops struggling to keep their heads above water, it is not surprising that there is a surge in online shopping and browsing interest has inreased tenfold.  This is of course a pity in that the traditional high street setting has been dwindling for some time and now the out of…

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We all have favourite pastimes and some are more talented with theirs than others.  I was at a meeting the other evening – just a group of several quite elderly folk.  They had all known each other for some years and were familiar with the various hobbies and working habits of each other.  I am…

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When I think of shopping channels, my mind goes immediately to those tv ones where a giggly woman is trying to show off the products in front of her with aplomb whilst desperately trying to read the autocue.  They’re usually so awful that it’s hilarious, rather like watching one of those spoof tv outtake shows. …

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Of all the skills I wish I had been blessed with, it might well be said that sewing would be high on the list.  I can no longer rely on my dear old grandma to provide me with the never ending supply of household linens, table clothes, curtains, bathrobes, shirts etc.  When I was growing…

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Of all the things that I have never thought of doing before has suddenly become the greatest thing since sliced bread in this house.  And that is browsing and ordering stuff online.  I have gradually been introduced to this method by a very resourceful daughter who makes quite a thing of looking out for vouchers…

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Oh golly gosh, how glad am I that the annual christmas and new year festivities are over.  All that planning, traipsing round shops, getting annoyed with other shoppers and all the noise and commercialisation of a religious event really brings out the worst in everyone!  I am lucky enough to be invited to join in…

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Well the calm before the storm has never been needed more than this week.  I am surrounded by grotty wet frozen snow and the temperature is dropping by the hour – so the slghtly thawed snow and ice of this morning is now going to freeze over again and be even more treacherous.  I went…

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Things were taking a slightly chaotic turn in my daughter’s household recently.  She and her partner had been caring for another dear little pup in addition to their own 2 princely pupsters.  The house is barefully big enough for two adults and it became busy when the first pup arrived 18 months ago.  He had…

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