and there's more...: busy job calls for slow cooker

and there's more...: busy job calls for slow cooker: I quite often use my slow cooker I love the convenience of it... ready when you come in from work I love the taste... delicious I love t...

busy job calls for slow cooker

I quite often use my slow cooker

I love the convenience of it... ready when you come in from work
I love the taste... delicious
I love the simplicity of it... you can put all ingredients in together ( but if I have extra time I do like to brown some of my ingredients first )

So the fact that with this new job, every day is different, and you never know what time  you are going to finish my slow cooker is going to be a God send...

And on that note I am going to share one of my recipes with you.. this is a very simple one

Savoury mince

• lean mince beef
• 2 onions chopped small
• 1 pepper   ( what ever colour you have in fridge )
• couple of cloves garlic chopped
• 2 or 3 carrots chopped small
• tin of tomatoes
• couple of beef stock cubes
• handful of frozen peas ( optional )
• a pinch of dried chilli flakes, for a little spice, and pinch of salt for taste ( optional )

so I havnt got much time so ...
in with the tinned tomatoes... and the stock cubes ..chilli flakes ..salt into slow cooker
all other ingredients can now go in too, give a good stir to mix all ingredients.. a little water can be added if necessary
cook on slow for 6/8 hours  ( work hours )  or 4 hours on fast
a spoonful of flour can be sprinkled on ingredients when cooking to thicken....

I usually serve with rice with this ...and if I have enough left over      ( thats if every dosnt want seconds )
I put it into a glass dish and put mashed potato over it..pop it in the oven for a delicious shepherds pie for the night after....delicious
and there's more....
another good accompaniment is dumplings...just drop a few on the top of mince in slow cooker for last half an hour...mmmmm....add a nice glass of red for the ultimate midweek treat

and of course this can be tweeked to each individuals preference....

perfect

and there's more...: you have to give it time???

and there's more...: you have to give it time???: Yes I know its only been 3 days in my new job...but I have to think about if I really cant do it So yesterday I applied directly to 2 compa...

you have to give it time???

Yes I know its only been 3 days in my new job...but I have to think about if I really cant do it
So yesterday I applied directly to 2 companies advertising job vacancies..  and there's more 
Yep I was flabbergasted...

 ( surprise (someone) greatly; astonish.

"this news has left me totally flabbergasted"

synonyms:

astonish, astound, amaze, surprise, startle, shock, take aback, take by surprise )

Yeah I hada quick peek to see if it meant what I thought it meant!!! 

I was offered two interviews!!!  And yes I feel very lucky, grateful, humbled to get interviews..and went to them both in the same day!!

the one I was more in interested in, is still pending....

the other one...would you believe,  has only been and offered me the job...

so even more flabbergast !!!!!    

so decisions decisions.... balancing the fors and againsts  

lovly people... only 15 minutes drive...

salary quite a bit less.... weekend working... 

so what to do... 

and there's more...: day 3...new job

and there's more...: day 3...new job: so after that long draining day yesterday... I got an early finish today... I guess they thought I needed it after yesterday!! so today w...

day 3...new job

so after that long draining day yesterday... I got an early finish today...
I guess they thought I needed it after yesterday!!

so today was easier than the last two days...with most of the patients able bodied and mind, this makes the job more enjoyable, makes it seem more worthwhile, improving the quality of life for these patients is very rewarding...

Will I stick the job  ?  who knows...

and there's more...: Day 2...oh my days

and there's more...: Day 2...oh my days: so my 2nd day out on the road..visiting the not so able in their homes... my day started at 7.45 am and ended at 7.10 pm...and its probabl...

Day 2...oh my days

so my 2nd day out on the road..visiting the not so able in their homes...

my day started at 7.45 am and ended at 7.10 pm...and its probably fair to say it seemed longer!!!

my colleages are of the type...work through your lunch hour and get home earlier..
er no...actually it didnt work like that...long long day and still got the tea to do when I got back

happy days

Again an array of people....some elderley, some with dementia, some youngsters with severe mental health problems, physically disabled ...all needing a lot of care and especiallt TLC ( tender loving care ) and some so happy to see us..to chat to us

Do I really need this kind of emotional stress in my life...( like my own family dosnt stress me enough !!! 😉)

My colleagues seem to be oblivious to their problems ( i mean that in a nice way ) the optom today is the calmest, most patient person ive seen, nothing too much trouble
my other colleague said ' dont worry by next week you'll breeze through..all this will go over your head '
Do i want to breeze through...do i want to be complacent with this???
I do feel their is a need for us in the community but I dont know wether I want to be reminded of it on a regular basis...
human beings sat in the same room for days on end ..not knowing what day or even what year it is...tragic..immensly sad
and a thousand thanks to the carers who feed and sit with them every day...dealing with their needs   
and what is even more surprising is that they do it seemlessly without complaint..Godbless em
Will I stick this job??  who knows... watch this blog....

and there's more...: what an eye opener

and there's more...: what an eye opener: so today was my 1st day of my new job.....   And yes i was shocked...anxious...surprised...nervous....concerned....sad my job involves v...

what an eye opener

so today was my 1st day of my new job.....  

And yes i was shocked...anxious...surprised...nervous....concerned....sad

my job involves visiting people in their homes....vunerable...needy people
most of whom are either elderly or disabled or who have learning disabilities

these poor people want the same as the rest of us...just a li'l understanding... companionshhip..love...to enjoy life...to be valued

I think I have been walking round blind for the last 50 years..the realisation that these needy vunerable people are so near and in such abundance has really shocked me....

call me nieve...ignorant or stupid!!!

I dont know wether I would class myself as blessed by the fact that I have no real contact with these people...I do not really have any contact with old friends or relatives and the few that I do know are pretty abled and fortunate to say the least. 

And to be fair I dont know how I feel about it...obviously I know that these people exist but to be in close contact as I have today has really been an eye opener  
(the old people that i do know are from my old job where they were able to walk in store unaided..talk about planned holidays ..shopping trips...etc  )
Not only the people have shocked me ( not really sure if shocked is the right word...saddened me ) but I am in awe of the people who look after them...seemingly unselfish individuals... 

Not really sure if this is the job for me................................may be I just prefer to bury my head in the sand.....and pretend that every one is able bodied and mind ....and not in need of  constant care

and there's more...: over thinking...instead of drinking

and there's more...: over thinking...instead of drinking: So one more sleep... until the first day of my new job, that is and yes for the last couple of weeks  ( since I knew I had got it )  ...

over thinking...instead of drinking

So one more sleep...
until the first day of my new job, that is

and yes for the last couple of weeks  ( since I knew I had got it )  I can say that i have seriously over thought each and evewhich has resulted in me having dreams about situations that I dont know nothing about...
And there's more
If that sounds confusing to you ...imagine how I feel !!!!

I am of course feeling excited, nervous, unsure, elated, anxious....I'm guessing thats how every one feels when they are going into a new situation...
but I can remember feeling exactly the same starting my previous job  ( cant believe that was may 2015 !!! ) 
but, its time for a change
 And there's more...in my old job those feelings didnt change much for the whole time I was there..I do believe I felt the same the day I left!!!!  ( due mainly to the owners...but thats another blog )

Lets hope that is not the case with this job.....

You would think at my ripe old age that I would be more relaxed about things...but alas...no thats not the case

On the positive side I have had a lovly day... busy with my family

Wish me luck

and there's more...: sad day today

and there's more...: sad day today: Remembering a very special Lady on her birthday is very sad...but also I feel very privilidged to, not just of known her, but also to have c...

sad day today

Remembering a very special Lady on her birthday is very sad...but also I feel very privilidged to, not just of known her, but also to have called her my friend....Hope you are kicking up your heels in heaven my dear dear friend...miss you so much 
Taken way to soon

and there's more...: miracles do happen...just never give up hope

and there's more...: miracles do happen...just never give up hope: According to news reports eleven people have been found alive in the rubble of an Italian hotel today, two days after an avalanche tore...

miracles do happen...just never give up hope

According to news reports eleven people have been found alive in the rubble of an Italian hotel today, two days after an avalanche tore through the mountain resort near Farindola, Italian firefighters say. 

4 of who are children....

Miracles do happen ...( rescuers believed at first that the chance of survivors were very slim )

Thank the Lord and those brave rescuers....

Never give up hope....

and there's more...: Have you heard the news

and there's more...: Have you heard the news: Well unless you have been on another planet you will have heard the news that the millionaire business man Donald Trump is now the presiden...

Have you heard the news

Well unless you have been on another planet you will have heard the news that the millionaire business man Donald Trump is now the president of America...
So what does that mean for the rest of the world ???  

Only time will tell....

How do I feel about it...?
I really don't know how I feel about it...

I don't really know enough about politics or billionaire business men to have an educated guess about it either....
All over now anyway....deals been done

and at the end of the day ..theres not many of us that would want that job

Lets pray that with the grace of God he will do a good job....

and there's more...: Its Friday..

and there's more...: Its Friday..: Hope your day is blessed with love and good cheer

Its Friday..

Hope your day is blessed with love and good cheer

and there's more...: did u spot the mistake

and there's more...: did u spot the mistake: yes I know there are loads but some are deliberate..... previous post: What a woderful day !!!! have now edited it lol   'What a won...

did u spot the mistake

yes I know there are loads but some are deliberate.....

previous post:
What a woderful day !!!! have now edited it lol   'What a wonderful day!!!'

somehow 'wo...derful day' didnt have quite the same ring!!!!

and there's more...: its thursday

and there's more...: its thursday: HAVE A FAB DAY CUS What eva you are doing do it well and enjoy and dont forget ..be kind

its thursday

HAVE A FAB DAY CUS

What eva you are doing do it well and enjoy

and dont forget ..be kind 

and there's more...: what a woderful day

and there's more...: what a wonderful day: its wonderful wednesday !!!!! Why ????? because we woke up ..we are alive

what a wonderful day

its wonderful wednesday !!!!!

Why ?????

because we woke up ..we are alive

and there's more...: such a shame

and there's more...: such a shame: so we live in an amazing country with so many opportunities for our youngsters...or so we are told so why is it that our youngsters ( boy...

such a shame

so we live in an amazing country with so many opportunities for our youngsters...or so we are told

so why is it that our youngsters ( boys and girls ) feel the need to ( as seen on 

Good Morning Britain | GMB - ITV.com )

• take dozens of selfies to examine before they go out each morning...and post these on social media
• admit to wanting cosmetic surgery before they even get into double figures! 
• youngsters often isolate themselves because of body image anxiety.
• wont go swimming because they are not happy with their body

Our youngsters are obsessed with stars that look perfected in every picture

It is a very sad world we live in for a lot of kids today....God only knows how they will feel and what lengths they will go to when the real wrinkles start to appear!!!

in the words of Susanna Reid......

I say embrace the unfiltered picture

Susan reid posted her picture as she looks before she goes on sset and also one after the make up team have done their work !!!

( and 99 % of stars / celebritys go through a similar regime before they are seen in public )

Well done Susanna....

May be if more stars would copy Susanna s lead then more kids could see that nobody is perfect and that all the stars get a lot of help to look the way they do

and there's more...: Good morning and have a fab day

and there's more...: Good morning and have a fab day: So if everything goes to plan this be will my last Monday off for a while.... Yes from next Monday I will be officially a working ...

Good morning and have a fab day

So if everything goes to plan this be will my last Monday off for a while....

Yes from next Monday I will be officially a working woman again !!!!

How do I feel about it????

well obviously...feeling blessed to get the opportunity to work ( I'm 54, but apparently thats the new 40....yeah )

Not so chuffed that i have to work on a Monday cuz that is my yoga class day...( and I luv my yoga class.. )

Have a fab day

and there's more...: gotta love a bargain

and there's more...: gotta love a bargain: and there's more sale items... and some very nice bits in #marks and spencers today so I managed to misplace my very nice jacket!!! (...

gotta love a bargain

and there's more sale items...
and some very nice bits in #marks and spencers today

so I managed to misplace my very nice jacket!!! ( no really I'm being serious )
Dont worry if it would of been one of my old ones somebody would have returned it....
but alas I dont think its coming back, its been a couple of weeks now   
worrying thing is I dont even know where Ive left it .....

so I have no choice I will have to buy one..
lucky for me the sales are on
#marks and spencers have got a shed load of lovly coats/jackets all sizes/styles/colours

so i plum for a knee length navy blue cashmere blend ...very smart if I do say so
( and almost half price...too good to miss...timeless piece )

See if I can hang on to this one!!!!

and there's more...: take it easy

and there's more...: take it easy: i ts Friday the 13th... and wether you are suspicious or not....crap seems to happen on these days.. What ever you are doing have a good ...

take it easy

its Friday the 13th...
and wether you are suspicious or not....crap seems to happen on these days..

What ever you are doing have a good one...and keep safe

Have a fab Friday x

and there's more...: Sprinkling of the white stuff

and there's more...: Sprinkling of the white stuff: So this is what greeted me this morning...brrrrrr and yes its as cold as it looks Yes I know we have got off light compared to s...

Sprinkling of the white stuff

Good morning to you on this cold winters day

So this is what greeted me this morning...brrrrrr and yes its as cold as it looks

Yes I know we have got off light compared to some parts of the country....

So if you are off out today remember ye thermals cus I think you're going to need em

and keep safe....av a good un 

and there's more...: Delicious mid week pasta

and there's more...: Delicious mid week pasta: My take on a pasta night......mmmmm I'm not really into bland food so the idea of having a bowl of pasta and butter with a sprinkling ...

Delicious mid week pasta

My take on a pasta night......mmmmm

I'm not really into bland food so the idea of having a bowl of pasta and butter with a sprinkling of cheeses is never really gonna cut it for me...

so here goes .... pasta deliciosa...

• a bowl full of lardons ( smoked I prefer ) cooked till crispy
• an onion diced and fried till brown but still soft in what eva you prefer ( fry slowly )
• peppers (what eva type you have in fridge ) cut coarsley and fried
• A handful of baby plum tomatoes cut in half n fried
• couple of garlic cloves cut or crushed 
• any other veg u like can be added to the frying pan ( just ensure everything is cooked to a similar consistency ) 

put on pasta to cook ..drain when al dente....

When all veg are cooked to your liking and seasoned ( I like a few flakes of dried chilli seasoning for a bit of a kick ) add your drained pasta to other fried ingredients in frying pan and heat through

Pour out onto warm plate or bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese...delicious

washed down with your favourite glass ( or bottle ) of vino

This of course can be revamped to your own liking by adding or taking away ingredients

and there's more...: I just found miscellar water

and there's more...: I just found miscellar water: I was introduced to Micellar water  ( which until today was convinced it was Miscellar !!!! )    by a lovly lady in Superdrug....  The one...

I just found miscellar water

I was introduced to Micellar water  ( which until today was convinced it was Miscellar !!!! )  
by a lovly lady in Superdrug.... 
The one I am currently using is #Nivea 3 in 1 sensitive Micellar water  as shown
I wish i had found this product 30 years ago..
Been using it for about 6 months
I am 54....very oily skin... nightmare when it came to wearing makeup.
it is easy to use ..just dampen a cotton wool pad with the product and wipe gently to remove makeup
I always repeat to remove any remaining oil or make up
Since I started using Micellar water my skin is less geasy and also my skin is left feeling refreshed but not tight.perfect make up base.... I love it. 
I can not comment on other brands as i havnt used any other but hopefully I will try others and post my results ....
I thought i would have a look at what the professionals say...and this was just one...which I thought explained Micellar water beautifully:

info sourced from #The Independent :

Sometimes keeping up with a complex skincare routine can be too much. From exfoliating to cleansing to toning to moisturising, it’s hard to keep up with what you’re supposed to be doing when. A micellar cleanser cuts out some of those steps, acting as a make-up remover, cleanser and toner in one swipe. Micellar waters are a non-rinsing formula, so you just need to apply to the face with a cotton pad, as you would a toner, making them perfect for those days when you don’t have time for a hot cloth cleanseThe trend started in France, where they offer an alternative to harsh mains water, and have been available in pharmacies there for years, but have only recently been picked up by the cult beauty world. Their tiny oil molecules, ‘micelles’ (hence the name), are designed to work like a magnet, attracting impurities and pulling them away without agitating or drying. The micelles are often suspended in thermal spa waters, which come direct from natural springs and are naturally mineral-enriched. They’re ideal for sensitive skin and are often used by make-up artists backstage for minimal skin irritation after multiple make-up changes.

and there's more...: windy day

and there's more...: windy day: I love to see the wind blowing through the trees  this is just for a bit of fun some lovly windy day pics to make you smile     ...

windy day

I love to see the wind blowing through the trees 
this is just for a bit of fun some lovly windy day pics to make you smile
   

      

and there's more...: crank up the volume

and there's more...: crank up the volume: Yep even at my ripe old age I find its a great release go for a drive .... stick a good driving cd on...(i chose reggae this morning)...an...

crank up the volume

Yep even at my ripe old age I find its a great release

go for a drive .... stick a good driving cd on...(i chose reggae this morning)...and crank it up and sing


Sing like no ones looking..dont worry bout the words, make up your own....
and on the plus it gives others something to smile about 

Its great cuz you cant think about decision making as well.

it is truly exhilarating...and for a short while.... just b in the moment ....

Gotta love a sing song

and there's more...: decisions...decisions

and there's more...: decisions...decisions: new year...new job  ????? so I ended last year not sure if I'd done the right thing...I decided to bite the bullet and leave m...

decisions...decisions

new year...new job  ?????








so I ended last year not sure if I'd done the right thing...I decided to bite the bullet and leave my job
without having a new one to go to....very impulsive I know
and the last few weeks have consisted of job applications and interviews..and yes I am feeling very fortunate to even be offered an interview..
not all were suitable..some were miles away...some were less money than the job i'd left and that was only just above minimum wage !!!!
so a job has come my way that ticks some of the boxes..
and now my head is aching ...with 

shall I ...sharnt I   ????

should i wait...is something else better going to come along ????

wheres the wine............

and there's more...: full refund with receipt or an exchange.. no probl...

and there's more...: full refund with receipt or an exchange.. no probl...: So its the time of year when we have a good look through our xmas gifts ( bought for us and bought by us.. for us !!!  ) those lovly jeans ...

full refund with receipt or an exchange.. no problem

So its the time of year when we have a good look through our xmas gifts ( bought for us and bought by us.. for us !!!  )
those lovly jeans that are never going to fit ( just kidding myself ) and especially not after all those mince pies!!
that 2 sizes too big top off the in - laws !!
And in the words of the shop assistants.... ( when you purchase )
'of course, no problem, just pop along after xmas...full refund with receipt or an exchange '
so journey too the shopping centre is imminant,  all tags intact and receipt at the ready

Debenhams ...not a problem
M and S... not a problem

Then there was Boots...no not the ones you wear...
I had a very well known perfume bought for me...a li'l clue


And I hadnt even opened it to try it!!!!

It was after lunch on a Sunday and after asking at the appropriate counter for a refund
I did try the friendly and even the jokey approach...my husband had obviously got me mixed up with his girlfriend ...
..they firstly tried to convince me to purchase another perfume ..and i did try a few but wasnt really in the mood, 
then she announced that there wouldnt be enough cash in the till!! with a very smug face...
and suggested that I try at the main checkout...which I did....would you believe it....theres not enough cash in the till..
You can not be serious 
You could try upstairs...was the not too helpful suggestion
Which I did under protest....
We probably havnt got enough cash in the till came the rather rude reply from the middle aged toffee nosed assistant....( I tell you she was middle aged for this reason ) 
A quick response came from the very young assistant who was on one of the other tills...Oh its ok I have got more than enough in mine if its any help...
Thank The Lord for that young lady....otherwise I dread to think where I would of been sent
Obviously someone who had been trained on being helpful and not how to be smug and unhelpful

Tip to boots If you do give refunds make sure all your staff are aware of this and equally as accomodating as when they are recieving the money from us!!!

And just in case any one is wandering the refund amount was £68 not £680 !!!

and the mall was full

and there's more...: Giants Causeway

and there's more...: Giants Causeway: yes I am from the UK but I'm ashamed to say I didnt really know anything about this amazing phenomena... The Giant's Causeway i...

Giants Causeway

yes I am from the UK but I'm ashamed to say I didnt really know anything about this amazing phenomena...




The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.  ( Or is it ? )     It is also known as Clochán an Aifir or Clochán na bhFomhórach in Irish and tha Giant's Causey in Ulster-Scots. Wikipedia
It lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of Antrim Plateau

According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a Giant. Apparently the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhall ( Fin MacCool ) was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner ....  and the rest,  as they say is history...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is going on my bucket list of things to see...