Tell us about how your day is going!!

[Stormy]

Tell us about how your day is going or could be your week or month so far?

We do a thread like this on the forum I run and it has been the most popular thread to date as it keeps everyone up with everyone's news :) so I thought I would share the idea here :)

(Note to Mods: if this takes off it would be great to make this sticky if that is ok?)

[Stormy]

Well, I will kick off with my contribution.

Today I am having a lazy day after another busy week of meetings, looking after my tribe and applying for new jobs. I am also looking for a smaller place to live as the house I am in at the moment is way too big for me and my two boys now... so having to move due to a change in personal circumstances. It has been a tough few months and the burdens of every day living have weighed heavily on my shoulders but hey!! I know there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

So apart from tending to my tribes needs I am going to lunch out in front of a cosy warm fire, look out at the beautiful view from my window, and do internet things and get on with my second to last Life Coaching module for the diploma I am doing :)

So what are you guys up to today??

[Gliondrach]

I've been on the computer for most of the day. Will do some exercising this evening.

[Stormy]

Hi Shivs :) ...yes I understand that ...it was more just of an every day thing but if the moderators want to move it to a more private space and encourage more people then cool :) :thumbsup:

[Oracl]

I am busy packing up the house, as we are moving this week. :witsend:

[Fauxmage]

Actually I think we have a private thread already, so people can post there if they like, or here. I don't mind having threads in both places.

[Stormy]

I am busy packing up the house, as we are moving this week. :witsend:
Oh I feel for you as it can be stressful but then again its exciting too ... I am doing much the same in the next month or so!!

[Stormy]

Actually I think we have a private thread already, so people can post there if they like, or here. I don't mind having threads in both places.
Oh sorry Fauxmage I didn't realise ...that's the problem with being a newbie!!

[itsallminenowtoo]

I'm pleased to report that (aside from just having my browser crash) my day is going just fine!! *knocks on wood* I've been to work, fixed dinner, and sent everyone out the door for their varied activities, so I have a couple hours of peace and quiet. :) Well, I guess I should qualify that . . . a couple hours of peace and quiet with the exception of :catchase:some feline typing assistance. . . ;)

[Stormy]

Whoops I am on the late one, which isn't uncommon for me... I seem to survive most of the time on very little sleep :)

I have been busy sorting my life out. I desperately need to move my old ambulance to another location, as I am soon to move from my current home, so I am asking around for a temporary park up space until I know where I am going to be!! I don't know if to keep her or sell her but it would bring a tear to my eye if I have t get rid of her as she is a lovely old lady but we will see.

Also waiting to here if I have a job interview, wow do I need another paid job but hey the universe will answer my prayers I hope :)

Life has changed so much but what don't kill you makes you stronger and I have had worse tragedies in my life!!

[Stormy]

Well, I guess I should qualify that . . . a couple hours of peace and quiet with the exception of :catchase:some feline typing assistance. . . ;)

So cute ...and a lovely little cat graphic too :)

[Stormy]

Today I have a HUGE smile as I have just got a job interview as a support worker for Volunteers for a National Charity, so please wish me luck as I really want this job.

Since doing a degree in the late 90's I have had quite a bit of experience of running and developing Charities and my main job for many years has been a fund raiser and Development work but since having a career break to have my second son, and working a few hours a week from home, I am back in the world of work it seems :)

I had an interview a few weeks ago for an Equality Officer but unfortunately came second and didn't get the job but hey its all lessons for life :)

So anyway, role on Friday :)

[Stormy]

Stormy, all the luck :shamrock5: of the Irish :leprechaun: to you!!
I really hope you land this job you’re after!! :agree::uhuh:
Wishing you all the best with that!! ;):thumbsup:


Thanks Shivs xxxx

[Gliondrach]

I hope you get the job, Stormy. And that all the uncertainties affecting you are soon settled.

[Oracl]

Good luck, Stormy! :crossfingers: :thumbsup:

[Fauxmage]

My day is nearly over now, but this afternoon, I had to take my new van to get smog checked. I took it to a gas station near my Dad's studio, so I could spend the time waiting for it with him.

He took me into the gallery, where one of the artists has her new works on display. She has taken photographs, made five to seven copies of each, had them cut out into different sections, probably with a laser, as it is very intricate, and has stacked the layers to make three dimensional presentations of the subject matter.

Right at the entrance, she has a photo of an epiphyllum, which are a very beautiful variety of flowering cacti. They are very popular in greenhouses and gardens in San Francisco, because they are well suited to the climate. You rarely if ever find them for sale in nurseries though. I have three monster epiphyllums which my Gramma gave me years ago. They are probably older than I am.

So my Dad says, when I walk in, "Look, there's Gramma's cactus" and I said "Oh yeah, it looks just like it", thinking that he meant it was the same kind of plant. Then I saw another photo, and he said "There's the other, with the pot and everything" and I said "Wait, that's MY cactus? She took pictures of mine?" and he said "Yeah!"

He's been caring for them since I moved from my last house, out back of his studio, and they bloomed fantastically last spring, which was when this artist photographed them. Now they are subjects of two works of photographic art!

And I don't even have pictures of them! :dunce:

[Oracl]

How lovely! :colors:

[Stormy]

Wow Fauxmage that must have been a surprise to you but a lovely one at that :) Maybe you can ask her for a copy of the original photo?


And many thanks for your messages of good luck Orcal and Gliondrach xx

[thevegantwins]

Today was supposed to be the homeless census for the county I work in but it snowed last night and this morning and there is freezing rain so the county manager rescheduled it for tomorrow. He and his cronies did not want to have to go out at night to abandoned buildings and train stations to find homeless people when the weather is bad. :crazy: Instead, they want to wait for nicer weather to find the homeless. :crazier: Anyway, I'll be working 8:15am-midnight tomorrow. At least I don't have work on Friday. The county is providing dinner for all the workers and supervisors who volunteered to stay for the overtime, like me and 3 social workers, but nothing vegan.:grumble: I think I'll make chickpea salad sandwiches to share with my vegan coworker and a vegan-friendly coworker who both volunteered to stay as well. :uhuh:

[Gliondrach]

I have an epiphylum - a Christmas cactus one. It started flowering in the middle of December. I thought it would have finished flowering before Christmas but the last bud opened yesterday. Not bad - more than six weeks in flower.

[Gliondrach]

Anyway, I'll be working 8:15am-midnight tomorrow. At least I don't have work on Friday. The county is providing dinner for all the workers and supervisors who volunteered to stay for the overtime, like me and 3 social workers, but nothing vegan.:grumble: I think I'll make chickpea salad sandwiches to share with my vegan coworker and a vegan-friendly coworker who both volunteered to stay as well. :uhuh:

That's a long shift. I hope you are paid overtime.

[Stormy]

I have an epiphylum - a Christmas cactus one. It started flowering in the middle of December. I thought it would have finished flowering before Christmas but the last bud opened yesterday. Not bad - more than six weeks in flower.

Ahh yes I have one of these too but its not called a Christmas Cactus but as far as I know it is the same plant... it was bought as a gift or me when I had Lewis my eldest son, and every year around his birthday (end of October) it tended to flower which is really nice but now it is getting later and later and still has flowers on it now. I also have one that flowers around Oestra (spring Equinox - Easter) time too!! I think it is the way they are originally what they term "forced" to get them to flower at certain times of year.

Anyway, today has been fairly chilled for a change. I have got all my meetings out the way for this week. I am currently working on an agenda for another next week. And I have to do some prep work for my interview too. This weekend I really have to start packing and sorting stuff out to move, and I think we may have snow again this weekend up here in Cumbria, so maybe out come the sledges :)

[Gliondrach]

There are Christmas and Easter cacti. When mine started to flower it first did so near Easter. Then it settled down and flowers in December now.

[Fauxmage]

Here is what mine look like:

http://www.flowerpictures.net/blooming/images/epiphyllum_04-3.jpg

The blooms are about five inches across.

They set fruit last season, that look just like tiny prickly pears. I picked one and removed the little black seeds. I think it would be fun to try to grow them from seed.

[Gliondrach]

Same colour as mine. Mine are about 2 inches across and about 3 inches long. No fruits yet.

[thevegantwins]

Blech, I just found out that not only will the county manager, his second-in-command, his wife and the Office Nazi be here tonight at work for HomelessFest, the county director will also be here. Too many higher-ups with their need for good PR means I'm not a happy camper. :(

[itsallminenowtoo]

I'm not a happy camper. :(
I'm sorry to hear that, vegantwins!! *hugs* :comfort:

Good luck tomorrow, Stormy!! :thumbsup:

I had a good day. I was assigned several new duties in addition to what I already have (sure beats being asked to train someone or write up procedures for what I do. . . ) :rolleyes:

[thevegantwins]

I'm at homelessfest and so far, the volunteers that go out into the city to bring in the homeless people haven't shown up yet. The county provided dinner tonight: turkey and cheese subs, mayonnaise-laden potato salad and potato chips. Fortunately, I planned ahead and I brought in chickpea salad sandwiches, a vegetarian coworker made a green salad and my vegan coworker bought cookies. We're here to midnight and it is only 7:30. :tired:

[squirrel]

Absolutely crap - just found out there's NO pay rise this year!!! And no explanation! Bastards!

We've got more work than we can cope with so it's not as if we're struggling for orders! This really stinks.

I know I'm lucky to have a job but right now I'm really pissed at the way we're being treated. Talk about "motivation". :biff:

[Gliondrach]

I wonder if the directors will be getting a pay rise?

[thevegantwins]

CNN had an article about some homeless men in the city I work in, http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/29/porch.cave/index.html

The county manager did go out to the house last night but I'm guessing he sat in his heated SUV, rolled down the window and yelled "Homeless people, come out!" and no one came out. He did say that he found a manhole that appeared to have people living down it but no volunteers wanted to explore. Don't blame them. I got home around 12:45am last night and I am tired today even though I stayed in bed until almost 9am. I am not a night owl.

[Stormy]

Well, I had my interview on Friday and I hopped, skipped and jumped out of the building afterwards, as it went really well and I felt really confident. They said they would let me know either that night or as soon as possible. But I haven't heard as yet and as every day goes by I feel less like I have it and the negativity is seeping in :( I am trying to remain positive as is my nature, there could be several explanations why they haven't let me know and I am just hoping it is because they want the weekend to decide if they like several candidates?? who knows but I will know soon enough!!

Other than that been to see two houses today and one looks promising :)

[Bowwowmeow]

Good luck Stormy! Keep up the positive attitude. :crossfingers: :thumbsup:

[1vegan]

it's sunday morning and I'm procrastinating.

Since I've got my "new" car, I found out it will not always make the speedlimit, which is getting annoying.

I've been concemplating to fix the problem (probably exhaust), and friday decided to bite the bullet and buy a brand new exhaust.

185 euro :grumble: (240 is usd)
(that's including the "we don't know you" discount of 10%)

so.... I'm about to dress up and change my exhaust, on sunday, on the street, with a high temperature of 32 F ...

[Gliondrach]

Well, I had my interview on Friday and I hopped, skipped and jumped out of the building afterwards, as it went really well and I felt really confident. They said they would let me know either that night or as soon as possible. But I haven't heard as yet and as every day goes by I feel less like I have it and the negativity is seeping in :( I am trying to remain positive as is my nature, there could be several explanations why they haven't let me know and I am just hoping it is because they want the weekend to decide if they like several candidates?? who knows but I will know soon enough!!

Other than that been to see two houses today and one looks promising :)

Good luck, Stormy.

I hope your new house has a garden.

[Gliondrach]

it's sunday morning and I'm procrastinating.

Since I've got my "new" car, I found out it will not always make the speedlimit, which is getting annoying.

I've been concemplating to fix the problem (probably exhaust), and friday decided to bite the bullet and buy a brand new exhaust.

185 euro :grumble: (240 is usd)
(that's including the "we don't know you" discount of 10%)

so.... I'm about to dress up and change my exhaust, on sunday, on the street, with a high temperature of 32 F ...

I'm glad I no longer have to bother with cars. There's always something that needs changing or repairing.

[Stormy]

Good luck, Stormy.

I hope your new house has a garden.

Yes it has and it need a bit of work but I love a challenge ....it is only tiny compared to my current garden, and lends it self to all my containers/pots... but at the moment that suits me fine and to be honest this house is only going to be a stop gap as it is back to urban living, so until I get sorted financially again ....and at last get my driving test passed as I have always relied on partners in the past and dwelled in urban places in my adulthood until now but... I can drive I just need to pass my test and have some proper lessons...and then I can a better place back in the countryside because you really need to be able to drive here as public transport is rubbish in the villages.

[Stormy]

Good luck 1vegan ... I hope your get car sorted :)

[Stormy]

Good luck Stormy! Keep up the positive attitude. :crossfingers: :thumbsup:

Thank you xxx

[Gliondrach]

I don't like urban living either. Even though I've always been an urb dweller.

[Gliondrach]

We've had snow here. More to come.

[squirrel]

We've got a dusting - hoping for more :)

[Phoenix]

Wish it was snowing here. :lol: In parts of Oz, the railway lines have buckled in the heat. The trains can't run. People are dying.

It hasn't even been that hot here, and I have heat exhaustion.

[Stormy]

Loads of snow here.. I am off out in it for some snow fun with my boys soon as they are really excited... its about 6 inches or more in my garden at the moment... and the village was practically at a stand still this morning as the snow was getting deeper... although it has cleared a lot on the roads now... but I had to laff as people tried to get up the hill I live on and just kept slipping back again in their cars... I know I am mean!!... but it is magical out of the window I will have to up load some photos of it later... keep warm everyone and have fun as this is the first good load of snow the country has had for 20 years apparently!!

[Stormy]

Wish it was snowing here. :lol: In parts of Oz, the railway lines have buckled in the heat. The trains can't run. People are dying.

It hasn't even been that hot here, and I have heat exhaustion.

Blooming eck... well you keep safe...its one extreme to another!!

[1vegan]

Good luck 1vegan ... I hope your get car sorted :)
Old

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/motoren/IMG_5269x.jpg

New

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/motoren/IMG_5282.jpg

I got the job half done, I thought I would be unable to split the end section from the midsection, so I bought both.

It actually was the other way around, the end section came off fine, but the midsection wouldn't cooperate.
So for the time being, the old midsection stays in place.

[Stormy]

So here we are sledging in the paddock behind out house today and it was great fun!! ... taken on my mobile ...

The view over the Eden Valley!!

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=356

Kai having fun in the snow!!

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=355

Lewis on the sledge!!

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=354

Weeeeeee!! (noooo not yellow snow hehehe)

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=353

Whose turn next!!

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=352

Torr ready for the off!!

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=351

Our house while we were sledging in the paddock behind it!!

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=350

Torr and a friend

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=349

The Cherry tree in the garden..

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=348

And the snow came down....but it was magical :) This was taken from my living room window down on to the village below.

http://www.thenakedvegan.net/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=347

[Gliondrach]

Wish it was snowing here. :lol: In parts of Oz, the railway lines have buckled in the heat. The trains can't run. People are dying.

It hasn't even been that hot here, and I have heat exhaustion.

The trains stop running here when it snows. Or rains. Or the sun shines. Or leaves are on the lines. The buses in London Town weren't running yesterday.

We had more snow throughout the day but it had all gone by about 10 pm. None since then. Sunny and warm today.

[Gliondrach]

Nice sledging pictures. Strange things can happen when you go sledging. Once, when I was sledging, I became infatuated with a girl who doesn't exist. Or perhaps strange things just happen to me.

[Stormy]

Nice sledging pictures. Strange things can happen when you go sledging. Once, when I was sledging, I became infatuated with a girl who doesn't exist. Or perhaps strange things just happen to me.

Ooooo Mrs ...was it a snow woman (opposed to a snowman) :D

[Gliondrach]

:D No, it was a no-woman. Just a figment.

[1vegan]

Today wasn't bad, at least I got some old stuff done at work.

The weekend was "less" though....... as I discovered on sunday afternoon .....
(probably with compliments of soccer hooligans)
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/cars/IMG_5307.jpg

:rollingpin: :grumble:

Hopefully I won't have a problem replacing it next weekend.

[1vegan]

How lovely! :colors:

For some reason I can't find the missing members thread?

Anyway, this seems Oracl's last post, and I've seen something about bad weather in Australia. I hope she's ok (and phoenix too)

[thevegantwins]

Oracl is missing because her new ISP is blocking saucyvegan. According to her most recent email, her dongle might be bad. I told her that "maybe the dongle ate her website" (movie reference for anyone familiar with A Cry in the Dark.

I can't believe how much death and destruction happened and is still happening in Australia and that some shitheads started some of the fires themselves. :mad:

[Gliondrach]

The weekend was "less" though....... as I discovered on sunday afternoon .....
(probably with compliments of soccer hooligans)


:rollingpin: :grumble:

Hopefully I won't have a problem replacing it next weekend.

Wretches! :biff:

[Gliondrach]

Yes, terrible fires in south Australia. Bishop Brennan lives in the Melbourne area. I hope he's all right.

[ziggy]

yesterday i spent most of the day cooking for all my family(10 in total):rolleyes:none of which are vegan,except me of course:thumbsup: i did vegan winter soup with irish soda bread,didnt tell them it were vegan until they had eaten it and asked for seconds:yum: then they finished off a 'huge' vegan chocolate fudge cake!! it was a hectic day so today im taking it easy:dizzy:

[Gliondrach]

It might have made some of them realise they won't starve on vegan food.

[ziggy]

ye,they always soooo surprised when they have enjoyed the food and then i tell them it were vegan:smile: they seem to think all i eat is lettuce:wigglebutt:

[Stormy]

Hi Guys xxx

Sorry I haven't been around much recently but I am in the middle of moving and been packing like a woman possessed and can I say packing for England :D I am trying to get a 4 bed house into a 2 bed house!! Fun fun fun!! it's like cardboard city on my house at the moment :agree:.... Still things are looking up and as sad as I am too leave where I have lived for nearly 4 years in a beautiful village in Cumbria, I have too due to my partner and I not living together for now until we get our relationship back on track, which it is starting too but we need this time to get really sorted before we live together again...but we are planning too :) Also step families has been difficult and so that is something that needs to be sorted too.

But once I have got sorted and my Life Coaching business up and running, and passed my driving test I will move back this way hopefully with my partner Stonesy :)

So sorry again for not being here to join in but hopefully when I am settled on the other side of all of this then I will be back to post more :)

[Gliondrach]

Good luck, Stormy! :thumbsup: :hug:

Is there a garden in the new place?

[Stormy]

Thank you :) Yes there is but just a little one which I have plans for with all the pots I already have which need some tlc :)

[Gliondrach]

Have you done any NLP in your life coach course?

[thevegantwins]

:crossfingers: Good luck, Stormy. Moving certainly is stressful but it can be fun as well because you get to explore a new area. There are 5 of us (me, husband, 2 4-year olds and a cat) in this 2-bedroom flat and it is cozy but doable.

[Stormy]

Thanks guys xxxx

I have touched on NLP Gliondrach as part of the Life Coachng courses I have done, and I am hoping to do some courses in it too.

Life Coaching is about coaching people to achieve their goals in life by giving them the tools to do so. It's about being positive and looking forward etc.. You can read more about it here http://www.coaching-life.co.uk/

I have just finished a Diploma in it and have already done a certificate, so I am aiming to get my business up and running by the end of the year if all goes well :) I have set up a website, buy a domain name and register a company name in the next few months.

I know what you mean Tails, since 2001 this is my 6th move.... that's Saggitarians for you though, we do love to travel hehehe And I guess I have another move coming up in around 18 months if all goes well :) Mind you prior to 2001 I was in the same house for about 13 years :)

[Fauxmage]

So sorry again for not being here to join in but hopefully when I am settled on the other side of all of this then I will be back to post more :)
I'll look forward to your return! Meanwhile, good luck with your moving house. Its quite an ordeal! I'll send good wishes from Oracl too, since she knows what its like, and has not been able to get online with us since her last move!

[1vegan]

Today wasn't bad, at least I got some old stuff done at work.

The weekend was "less" though....... as I discovered on sunday afternoon .....
(probably with compliments of soccer hooligans)
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/cars/IMG_5307.jpg

:rollingpin: :grumble:

Hopefully I won't have a problem replacing it next weekend.

One month later, the other windscreen is finally in.

With a week, I had "scored" another window at a scrapyard.
(broke the first one I tried to get out and was successfull on the 2nd one)

Then waited almost three weeks for weather that would be dry and not too cold.
So I replaced it sunday afternoon :)

Old out:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/tnv/IMG_5318.jpg

I'm not fully satisfied cause it seems to leak a bit on the bottom corner, between rubber and glass.... hm :skeptical:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/tnv/IMG_5322.jpg

And off course an after shot :D : clear vision again:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x97/veg_eric/tnv/IMG_5324.jpg

Though it's often a kind of burden that I can do everything yourself, it's always nice when I've finished the work I ought to do.

[Gliondrach]

Good work. I wouldn't even attempt it.

[1vegan]

Clever you doing it yourself. Must have been cheaper that way.

Window shield and a gas-spring to keep the rear hatch open : 30 euro's = 40 pounds / 40 usd.

Plus 10 pounds/dollar worth of fuel (cause my favorite junkyard isn't nearby)

[Gliondrach]

In anticipation of my avc tax free small lump sum of £90 I looked at the argus catalogue and there was a 21" tv on offer for £97.95. So I ordered it (my old one is at least 15 yrs old) it came today. It said on the order it was a 21" flat screen so I assumed it was a slim one. NO. Big and bulky. My neighbour and I struggled to get it out of the box onto my tv table.

After she went I realised it was the same size as my old one!!!.

Ringing argus they are going to refund me and collect it on wednesday. I asked a neighbours young lad to take it down again and into the box it came in. So now its stuck in my small living room area taking up loads of space till wednesday and
Got to stay in all day again!!!.
,

Lesson learned make sure the bloody thing is the right size next time. Wont be able to buy another bigger one now as too dear.

I think the ones you are referring to are plasma screens. I'm happy with mine. Probably the same age as yours. And it was second-hand. About £20 11 or 12 years ago.

[ChenLi]

My days been tiring and annoying, paypal being a £*$*%* and hi, haven't been here ages.

[paul]

hope things get better, and welcome back.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

I've got a headache :(

[Fauxmage]

My days been tiring and annoying, paypal being a £*$*%* and hi, haven't been here ages.
I hope tomorrow's better, and its nice to see you! :blinkwave:

[Fauxmage]

I've got a headache :(
Aw, I hope it goes away soon!

[Gliondrach]

My days been tiring and annoying, paypal being a £*$*%* and hi, haven't been here ages.

Welcome back! :yea:

[Gliondrach]

I've got a headache :(

I hope it gets better soon. Do you get them often?

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Yes, sadly :( people in my family moan either about my diet or my eyesight (my eyes aren't good, true, but I got painful headaches long before my eyes started failing) I think it has more to do with the fact that I sleep in a bedroom with no windows...

Still there today unfortunately... thanks for good wishes :)

[Gliondrach]

You should try to find out what's causing them. Might be tension, misalingnment somewhere, some food that doesn't agree with you, etc. There might even be some info on this forum. There is a bit about migraine.

This bloke sometimes gives quite good advice:
raysahelian.com/headache.html

but not when he advocates meat.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Thank you :)

Thankfully the headache has sort of gone now. I can still feel it but it isn't painful right now :)

[bradders]

what can I say enerally not great today. My doctor is on holiday and the locum wasn't comfortable renewing my prescriptions. I've been on meds for PTSD for a while (sleeping pills, antipsychs and diazepam) and the last couple of days I've run out, having waited for an appointment. Been waiting two months for councilling now. The meds let me sleep and suprss the flashbacks, panic attacks and help me get on with my life but now all back with a vengence. Worried what they're going to be like by the time my doctor gets back from holiday.

but on the plus side I managed to get out of the front door a couple of times today, quite proud of that, found a quicker route to the supermarket on my bike and then went for a lovely cycle around the country park. Really loving the park the more I see of it. You can forget you're in a city for a bit and cycle miles without backtracking. From certain bits you can see into the city, canary wharf and over to the QE2 bridge. Just what I needed really. Fresh air and excercise and plenty of both.

[Gliondrach]

Good luck in getting treatment.

[bradders]

Good luck in getting treatment.

cheers mate

[Stormy]

Well I am having a good few days and actually weeks so will waffle on a bit as I haven't posted for a while ....

Firstly, I have offered to volunteer for a Peta Veggie roadshow happening in local to me in Cumbria, so looking forward to doing that with my eldest lad if all goes well...then on Saturday I met the local Vegan Animal Rights people leafleting about 'Huntingdon Life Sciences' in town and so networked with them, and hope to get together and do stuff with them in the near future like leafleting and monitoring local hunts hopefully, so my move is turning out to be a good one...and about time I got back into the old active me :)

Other than that I have my new home sorted now, and just getting my garden sorted at the moment and revamping all my planters and pots ...the guinea pigs are now out there too in their hutch and run after being in their indoor cage for the last few weeks...and life is picking up at last :)

My youngest Torr starts nursery in the afternoons tomorrow and then I can free my time up to go for long walks with Kai and have driving lessons. Lewis hopes to start Martial Arts again soon and hopefully it will be at a place near the Vegan cafe/bar in the town I live so I can go in there and mingle while he is at his lessons. Oh and I passed my diploma in Life Coaching with distinction :)

I am also trying to get my Bedford CF ambulance back on the road and up to here in the next few months so I can finish converting the inside and off we go in here for a well earned rest and holiday if all goes well!!

Also making plans to go to either Castlerigg or Nine Ladies in Derbyshire for the Solstice celebrations and hoping to meet up with folks from the forum I run.

So lots to look forward too and much more too :)

[Gliondrach]

I'm glad that things are turning out good for you, Stormy.

And well done on the diploma! :rock: :fireworks:

[Fauxmage]

Enjoy the driving lessons Stormy! And everything else too! :)

[Stormy]

Thank you lovely people xxx

[Fauxmage]

I had a funny experience today. I was at a customer's home, who lives in my old neighborhood, and the mail carrier had a package for her, and rang the doorbell. I answered, to take the package, and she asked me if I knew I had left my keys in the lock. I said yes, that I am the pet sitter, and was on my way out.

Then she looked at me, and asked me if I used to live on Neptune Drive, and I said yes! She remembered me, on account of all the dogs running around the bushes in the front yard, whenever she came to deliver the mail. She's one of those rare mail carriers who likes dogs, and is well liked by them. She remembered my Dad too, who was often over there, using the garage and driveway for projects he couldn't do at his home. And this was seven years ago!

Then she told me I had lost a lot of weight! I sort of forgot what bad shape I was in back then. :o

[Ayashi Foxtail]

I've suddenly just got mouth ulcers on my tongue and a spot on my nose :(

[Stormy]

I've suddenly just got mouth ulcers on my tongue and a spot on my nose :(

Sounds like you are either run down or lacking in something in your diet like iron, folic acid or B12 ...lots of vitamin C will help and make sure you are getting a balanced diet :)

I used to be plagued with them as a child so I know how you feel but since being a vegan I have had only one in 21 years :)

[1vegan]

I got my new car today :D

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb205/a3corsa/kadett/1IMG_5474.jpg

It's a 1978 Opel Kadett City, but you might know it as Vauxhall Chevette, Buick Opel, Chevrolet Chevette, Pontiac Acadian or Holden Gemini.

Older then 30 years, so m.o.t only once every two years, older then 25 year so no road tax, and .... LPG! (runs on petrol, but also on Liquified Petroleum Gas which cost less then half what petrol costs)

The exhaust of my '91 car is leaking again and I didn't want to pour more money into that thing. I need something reliable, and this was a sensible choice.

Besides that, I love these cars :D

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Sounds like you are either run down or lacking in something in your diet like iron, folic acid or B12 ...lots of vitamin C will help and make sure you are getting a balanced diet :)

I used to be plagued with them as a child so I know how you feel but since being a vegan I have had only one in 21 years :)


Run down probably, lol, although could be both. Where would I get folic acid/B12/Vitamin C? I can't have citrus fruits because I'm intolerant to them and I think they have Vit C don't they? :rubchin:

I envy you! :D

[Stormy]

You can get folic acid in green vegetables particularily broccali and leafy greens also have vitamin C and iron in them.

If you are really suffering then maybe get a supplement to tied you over but I believe in getting what you need naturally from different and varied foods. Also fortified cereals and soya miks etc have all of these in. Yeast extract and seaweed is great for B12.

Also watch your food combinations as if you are having iron enriched food, don't then have a cup of tea as the tannins in tea deplete the iron. Also Vitamin C helps you absorb the iron into your body ...so green leafy veggies are great like spinach which I tend to add to stews, and sauces for added iron in take. Pulses and grains are great for iron and B vitamins too :)

Hope that helps :)

[Stormy]

Today or should I say Saturday... I shouted SCUM at the BNP (British National Party) who were promoting their racist bigoted filth in town today... one of them turned around to me and said "well maybe when you can read and write then come back to us"... I just turned around and said in a loud voice "I have a degree ....oh but of course your sort are so ignorant you don't think women should even be educated I suppose!!"

But I have to say I am so incensed and angry about them spouting their damaging lies... every recession we have in the UK and they jump on the band wagon and try to stir trouble between different communities of people - bastards :no:

I had a run in with them in another town in Cumbria about a year ago and actually got the police involved that time, which for me is a rare thing as I don't trust the police but I reported them and asked if they could be told to leave the area. And they were gone when I went back where they were... but they really shouldn't have a voice when what they spout is based on hate and prejudiced.

see this link to stop these fascists http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Thanks Stormy

[Gliondrach]

I got my new car today :D



It looks in very good condition. I hope the engine is as good as the car looks.

[vegan mummy]

So far today I have been regurgitated on many times by my 2 month old son..normally he keeps his milk down pretty well, so this is a bit unusual for him! And that's the highlight of my day so far..you can tell I don't have much of a life, lol. Later on we are going shopping..I need some new sneakers.

[Petie]

Glad to see things are starting to turn around so well for you, Stormy - but good grief, what an ignorant sod (BNP member), saying that to you! Then, not surprising - that’s what one can expect, from one of them! :mad:
Good on you, for telling them exactly what they are! :thumbsup:
Ooh yes, and thanks for that link!!! ;)

Awww, Fauxmage - I doubt you could’ve been in really bad shape, considering how well you eat and how active you are, walking all those doggies! I know you tend to be a little hard on yourself, though! :hug2:

Nice new car, 1Vegan - it is in good condition, and it’s very hard to believe it’s 31 years old, to look at it! :)

And vegan mummy - that’s a wonderful life you have, and what life’s all about! Congratulations on your new baby son, how exciting for you! :colors:

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Think I may have done something dumb... this woman has a rabbit that just attempted to take her finger off (made a VERY GOOD attempt! talking hospital here...) and she wants it PTS if no one will take it... shelters have refused and everyone else is steering clear... Guess who got an attack of conscience... *sigh*

[Gliondrach]

Good for you in saving a little life. Might be a good idea to wear thick gardening gloves when you handle the little devil.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

I've only offered at the moment. Someone else has now offered too, so at least there is a fall-back plan if this woman does get rid of him.

[Gliondrach]

I hope the rabbit stays with the woman - as long as she knows how to take care of rabbits.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

She's found someone to give him too now. There is a photo of him on the website- small dutch looking rabbit. He's got a demonic look in his eye though, lol.

[Stormy]

Recently Torr - the little 'un, started nursery in the afternoon which has freed me up to do a few things but on Friday he came down with a temperature and been fighting a really high temperature (between 102 and 104) ever since, that has left him drenched in sweat in the night and very unwell which is the first time I have seen him like this :(

Then this morning he felt better but as the day has progressed his temperature has returned high again and as a last resort given him some nasty children's pain relief medicine which I wouldn't normally give, just to bring his temperature down again as it was too high, and dressing him down, especially as he has been so uncomfortable and ill with it .. I have not long ago checked him in bed and his high temperature has subsided again thankfully - fingers crossed he is better tomorrow.

They say you can expect the first 6 months of starting nursery that they will catch everything going...Lewis did the same when he did but now he is rarely ill if at all. So Torr was off nursery on Friday... although he loves it to bits and the staff love him there so they told me on Wednesday - they think he is really lovely - well I couldn't agree more but then I am biased hehehe!!

Then on Thursday night I took Lewis for his first Taekwondo lesson which he loved, while me and Torr hung out in the vegan cafe next door called the Source which was cool... and I found out they have a special vegan night benefit (I think its a benefit) with DJ's next Saturday so I am going to pop along with the boys as apparently they can come too, and I haven't got a baby sitter but hey that's alright as they will love it!!

However, we did get up to the Buddhist place for a few hours this afternoon which was lovely, the monks are really lovely and so welcoming too and we sat chatting with them for a while.....and also had scrummy vegan vegetable soup and chunks of bread which I have to say was delicious ...and then we wandered off in their garden for a little while... while Lewis did a meditation session with the Buddhist monks which he really enjoyed, which I would have liked to do too but Torr was starting to get unwell again so me and Stonesy took him to sit in the sunshine in their garden

Anyway, chilling now, with the boys in bed, after a busy few days work wise.

Torr can have a rest day tomorrow and I need to do some domestic things and possibly get on with the garden :) and if he is better Monday go for a wander somewhere with Kai :)

[Fauxmage]

I hope Tor get well soon Stormy! :comfort:

[Stormy]

I hope Tor get well soon Stormy! :comfort:
Thank you Fauxmage :) He has definitely improved today but it has been the worse he has ever been and he has never had a temperature this long but lots of liquids and TLC is seeing him through thankfully :)

[Gliondrach]

I hope Torr is better now.

[Stormy]

Sadly, no he hasn't much, and has badly suffered the last few days and I rang NHS direct for advice last night, and Q doctors this morning as he developed a pin prick rash on his body and larger spots on his face, and this morning was complaining that his ears hurt and was crying a lot - bless him. I wouldn't normally bother contacting the doctors (not that I have one at the moment) and just let them work though it with plenty of TLC but even I was getting worried.

Anyway, they ran through a series of questions with me about how he is and said just to monitor him as it sounds viral and ring back if I was worried. I knew already that the skin is often an indicator of being under the weather hence his out break. He has still had a high temp today and I thought he was improving but he is up and down still ...although he has eaten here and there and drunk loads which is important - fingers crossed he is better tomorrow. I have never know any of my children to be as ill as he has been, even when Lewis had chicken pox he was feverish for 24 hours and then sailed through the rest of it.

Still it is all immune building stuff and because he has a strong constitution he is fighting it but its not nice to see him so uncomfortable :(

[Stormy]

I pretty sure now that Torr has tonsillitis, which I suffered from as a child, as although he cant express exactly what is wrong with him, my eldest son has got it now too but he isn't half as bad as Torr being older and with a stronger constitution... and he is telling me that he is finding it hard to swallow and Torr's complaining about his ears hurting which I think he means the same as Lewis now....so I have just rung up Helios Homeopathics http://www.helios.co.uk/ who I have used a few times before and spoken to a homeopath who has said use Belladona which she is sending me.

So fingers crossed that will arrive soon and I can get them back to fighting fit again.

[Gliondrach]

This was only a small study - and in flu - but showed good efficacy, and it might be beneficial in other viral infections.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

By Laurel Vukovic, Dec 1, 2004 12:00 PM

What it is
Elderberry is a member of the honeysuckle family and has been used both as food and medicine for thousands of years. The dark berries make delicious wines, jams, and pies, but their primary value isn’t culinary. When taken throughout the cold and flu season, or even at the first sign of a viral infection, elderberries have the ability to prevent and even treat a virus.

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History and folk remedies
Since the time of Hippocrates, elderberries have been relied on as a remedy for colds, flu, and upper-respiratory infections. In ancient Europe, elderberry trees were planted near cottages to protect the occupants from evil influences.

What it’s used for
Today, herbalists recommend elderberry syrups and extracts for preventing and treating upper-respiratory viral infections, including coughs and bronchitis. The berries are a good source of phytonutrients and have cell-protective antioxidant properties.

When taken throughout the cold and flu season, elderberries have a unique ability to prevent and even stop a virus.


How it works
Since the 1980s, Israeli virologist Madeleine Mumcuoglu, PhD, of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem has studied the antiviral properties of elderberry. In laboratory research, she discovered compounds in elderberry that bind to spikes on the surface of virus cells, preventing them from puncturing cell membranes. The high concentrations of flavonoids in elderberry inhibit the action of neuraminidase, the enzyme that helps the flu virus attach to and penetrate new cells. Mumcuoglu tested Sambucol, the proprietary elderberry extract she helped develop, against various strains of influenza A and B in the laboratory and found the herb effective against all types of flu.

In 1993, a flu epidemic at an Israeli kibbutz provided the opportunity to test elderberry on patients. In people with full-blown flu symptoms, half of the subjects were given 4 tablespoons of standardized elderberry extract daily and the other half were given a placebo. Within 24 hours, 20 percent of the patients receiving elderberry showed a dramatic reduction in flu symptoms such as fever, cough, and muscle pain. Within 48 hours, 75 percent were greatly improved, and within 72 hours, 90 percent had completely recovered from the flu. In contrast, only 8 percent of those taking the placebo began to improve after 24 hours; the remaining 92 percent took six days to improve (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1995, vol. 1, no. 4).

In a more recent study, 60 patients age 18 to 54 suffering from the flu were given 15 ml of elderberry syrup or a placebo four times a day for five days. Those taking elderberry recovered an average of four days earlier than those given the placebo. The researchers concluded that elderberry extract offered “an efficient, safe, and cost-effective treatment for influenza” (Journal of International Medical Research, 2004, vol. 32, no. 2).

How to take it
Many elderberry products are available at natural products stores and pharmacies. Although research studies have focused on the proprietary extract mentioned above, it’s likely that other extracts of elderberry are also effective. To prevent colds and flu, take 1/2 teaspoon of liquid extract or 1 to 2 teaspoons of elderberry syrup twice daily throughout cold and flu season. If you come down with the symptoms of a cold or flu, increase your dosage to 1 teaspoon of extract or 2 teaspoons of syrup four times a day.

Cost
One ounce of elderberry extract costs approximately $8; a 4-ounce bottle of elderberry syrup costs about $12.

Side effects
No side effects are associated with the use of commercial elderberry extracts. Fresh elderberries can cause nausea in some people (drying or cooking the berries alleviates this problem). Never eat the unripe berries, roots, leaves, or stems of elderberry; they contain cyanide, which can cause elderberry toxicity.
deliciouslivingmag.com/health/herbsupps/dl_article_1483/



------------------

More info here:
sambucolusa.com/research.html


-----------------------

J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40. Links
Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J.
Department of Virology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.

Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.

PMID: 15080016 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Stormy]

Many thanks for that Gliondrach xxx

[Gliondrach]

:curtsey2:

[ziggy]

havent been feeling too well and yesterday my face and eye went really badly swollen and quite painful,so went to the doctors.i have hayfever!! never had it before but boy i know ive got it now!!:disbelief: so ive been good and taken the medicine doc perscribed and its a little better today.today im just chilling and listening to music.:wigglebutt:

[vegan mummy]

That sounds horrible Ziggy! Hope you get better soon..I've never heard of someone's face going puffy from hayfever :( by the way, I had a pet mouse named Ziggy..random..lol.

Stormy, hope Torr is getting better!

Today I have been cooking with my mum, and we are starting to organise our vegan bake sale for the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale!! I'm not sure if you guys have heard about it, I found out about it last night on another forum..but yes, we are excited about it :)

[Gliondrach]

Hope you are feeling better, Ziggy. I didn't know hayfever could just come on like that. I wonder if it is hayfever?

[Gliondrach]

Today I have been cooking with my mum, and we are starting to organise our vegan bake sale for the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale!! I'm not sure if you guys have heard about it, I found out about it last night on another forum..but yes, we are excited about it :)

No, never heard of it. I have now. Is it this one?


Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale

20-28 June, 2009


Hold a vegan bake sale. (Let us know.)
Raise money for your cause. Promote delicious, cruelty-free food.
Be part of a fun global event that helps people, animals, and the planet.


We'll be on Twitter soon. We'll start tweeting in a few days, and add a Twitter link to the web site's pages.
veganbakesale.org/veganbakesale/index.html

[Ayashi Foxtail]

I've got to fill out a business form and haven't a clue what to write :(

[Gliondrach]

A form for what? Just say what you do, how you do it and what you plan to do.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

It's a form like a Business Plan for the Princes Trust. I understand the questions but don't quite understand the answers, ha ha (that's probably the best way I can put of saying it, the reason I am applying to the Princes Trust is because I have a mental condition). There are fourteen questions and it's taken me over a week to get to question seven.

[Fauxmage]

I am verrrry tired today, but yesterday in Yosemite I saw my very first wild mountain lion!!! He's still a baby, though apparently old enough to be independent of his mama, lucky for those of us who got close enough to get a picture!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Yosemite/VeryYoungCougar.jpg

He is resting on a fallen giant Sequoia tree, in the Mariposa Grove, that was burnt in the fire they apparently had there not too long ago. I was about to get a better picture, having moved quite a bit closer to him without him minding, when some people showed up and started talking, which scared him away. At least I got this.

The say in the hiking guides that you should feel privileged to catch a glimpse of a mountain lion in the wild. I sure do. :) :) :)

[Gliondrach]

He looks deep in thought.

[Gliondrach]

It's a form like a Business Plan for the Princes Trust. I understand the questions but don't quite understand the answers, ha ha (that's probably the best way I can put of saying it, the reason I am applying to the Princes Trust is because I have a mental condition). There are fourteen questions and it's taken me over a week to get to question seven.

If you tell them you're having difficulty answering the questions they might be able to offer some advice. There might even be someone here who has filled in one of these before or someone else who could suggest something if you make a post in the private threads.

[Seymour]

I am verrrry tired today, but yesterday in Yosemite I saw my very first wild mountain lion!!! He's still a baby, though apparently old enough to be independent of his mama, lucky for those of us who got close enough to get a picture!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Yosemite/VeryYoungCougar.jpg

He is resting on a fallen giant Sequoia tree, in the Mariposa Grove, that was burnt in the fire they apparently had there not too long ago. I was about to get a better picture, having moved quite a bit closer to him without him minding, when some people showed up and started talking, which scared him away. At least I got this.

The say in the hiking guides that you should feel privileged to catch a glimpse of a mountain lion in the wild. I sure do. :) :) :)
Oh he looks just like me!

[Stormy]

Wow lucky you Fauxmage to be so blessed with the presence of such a beautiful mountain lion - wow is all I can say!!

Well, I have been to the devils fire bowl and back, I can tell you - I have been so ill the last week I didn't know where to put myself. After the boys being so unwell, my body decided to join in with them...and I haven't suffered that bad flu wise since about 9 or 10 years ago when Lewis was an infant!! In fact you name it I seem to get it, including a rather fetching rash from head to foot that left me looking like the cousin of Mr Blobby (for those who know who he is) :D

http://file025a.bebo.com/0/large/2007/04/29/16/3673247179a4238775110b852334521l.jpg

Still I am on the mend now with lots of homeopathy and rest where I can with two young boys.

For a usually healthy tribe it got us bad...and no it wasn't swine flu although if it is going to be a pandemic then I wish it had of been so at least I knew we had got through it safely.

But now we are all stocked up with lots of different homeopathic remedies which should see us right if we are ill again.
Still nothing like a good moan about how ill you feel and a good clearing of the system of all nasty toxins :D

Also got some unfortunate news that Viva have cancelled their veggie road show due to the credit crunch but will hold on to my details as they still hope to do one up here eventually - so that was a shame.

I have also had the nod to go out with the AR people this weekend for a demo but I am not sure if I am up to it as I am still recovering but we will see.

Other than that onwards and upwards xx

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Been ill for the last three days, glad to be out of bed now, just feeling a little drained.

Did some more of my business form this morning... needed to work out the likely amount of tax (national insurance and income tax) from my expected earnings and all I can say is the thieving *******s might as well throttle me now :(

[Gliondrach]

It's good that you two - Stormy and Ayashi Foxtail - are on the mend.

[Gliondrach]

I went to vote today. I had a hill to climb to get to the polling station and only just managed to get there. My legs were slowly losing sensation and they were difficult to control. I couldn't feel my right foot from the ball of the foot to the toes. It just flopped down at each step. And I had very bad pain in my right shin. But, being the determined type, I pressed on. I had a couple of minutes of rest in the polling station and then was on my way again. I thought about asking if I could sit down in there but I don't like asking for help or showing weakness. We tough-types don't like to admit that we need help. The walk home was even worse. I was staggering by this time and people must have thought I was drunk. I nearly fell a couple of times. If there'd been a bit of a breeze I would have been blown over. I had to stop about fifty yards from home to hold on to a wall. Then I staggered on. I reached home safely and felt better after ten minutes rest.

Yes, when you're as tough as me you don't let a little difficulty stop you. Fuzzy taught me long ago that we must keep going until we do what we set out to do. :eat:

[Ayashi Foxtail]

This forum is really quiet, isn't it? :(

Just bored... dunno what to do with myself atm.

[Fauxmage]

This forum is really quiet, isn't it? :(
Yes, it used to be busier, but now it does tend to get quiet. We need more posters. :sigh:

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Today is going OK :) My friend could be about to become a mother and I've just found out, randomly, that one of the cast of Emmerdale (which I don't actually watch) is a Vegan.

[Gliondrach]

Who? Not Seth Armstrong or Amos Brearley?

[Ayashi Foxtail]

A woman. With a long foreign name... *goes to Google*

Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi, plays Leyla Harding

[Bowwowmeow]

Ah I'm so tired! I left at six this morning to go property hunting near Yosemite again, and didn't get home til nine thirty this evening. It was so hot! It was in the upper nineties I believe.

I still can't make up my mind about buying something. A couple of the places I considered have been sold. I found a new one though, in Bear Valley. Here are the neeeeeeeeeeeigh - bors. Ahem. :D

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/Yosemite013.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/Yosemite012.jpg

[Gliondrach]

A woman. With a long foreign name... *goes to Google*

Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi, plays Leyla Harding

Is the actress a vegan or is it her character who is vegan?

[Gliondrach]

I still can't make up my mind about buying something. A couple of the places I considered have been sold. I found a new one though, in Bear Valley. Here are the neeeeeeeeeeeigh - bors. Ahem. :D



With a name like that you can't go wrong.

[Bowwowmeow]

With a name like that you can't go wrong.
:lol: True!

Its in the foothills, and is situated in oak woodland, rather than pine forest, but there is a huge old grape arbor, and plenty of open sunny space for lots of veggies to grow. And a stream runs right by the front of the property, with a little bridge over it for the driveway.

What's funny is that it is 11 miles from Mariposa, 33 miles from Oakhurst, the major city in the area where I would have to do most of my shopping, and 44 miles to the Park entrance.

[Gliondrach]

It sounds nice.

[Bowwowmeow]

I'm an aunty again as of five this morning!!! My brand new niece and her mama are both doing great! :cloud9:

(That's why the Celebration skin is on today.)

[Petie]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :applause:

I was already logged into this forum, without realising it - must’ve forgotton to log out when I closed it the last time I was on! :rolleyes: Great news, Bowowmeow - got your e-mail about it, but you didn’t tell me any details! :no:

I’m so glad to hear the baby and her mum are doing well! :)

What is the baby’s name - or hasn’t that been decided yet?

Hope to see you soon(ish) . . .

[Bowwowmeow]

Thank you! :nanakiss: :nanakiss:

[Stormy]

Well, myself and my tribe had a magical few days at Nine ladies in Derbyshire for the summer solstice, which on Friday and Saturday night (solstice eve) reminded me so much of the free festivals of old... but without the vehicles as you cant get them up to the stones.... and it was quite manic Saturday night but we chilled around the fire where we camped and talked to folks passing through, and listened to the distant drumming of people around other fires :)

We did our usual light up the circle when it was dark which always looks amazing :thumbsup:

Stonesy, my partner, also met up with old friends unexpectedly as he is originally from down that way, as well as friends we had arranged to met there.

We even had an air ambulance arrive for someone in a diabetic coma which was fun for the boys to see but not so nice for the poorly woman they took off in it.

Only downer for me was the amount of rubbish and stuff left around, thankfully there were some decent enough folks going around picking up the rubbish and so time we left the site looked much better.

So on the whole a wonderful few days in the sun communing with nature on solstice weekend :)

[Bowwowmeow]

I wandered around for the greater part of the morning with a sticker in my hair that said "Made in China". I've no clue how it got there. . .

[Gliondrach]

I was made quite close to China. And there were communist Chinese guerrillas on the loose in the jungles around us. Makes you think.

[Bowwowmeow]

I just sent my watering can to Davy Jones' Locker. Now I have to wait for the tide to go out to retrieve it. :pirateskull: :sigh:

[squirrel]

Seeing as how I'm at work and my boss is on holiday total chaos reigns.

I'm rapidly disappearing under a mountain of files and queries trying to cover for my boss who has the wonderful habit of not telling me what's going to come up while he's away.

I've escaped onto here in an attempt to retain my sanity :beanie:

[Gliondrach]

Are you sure this is the right place for that? :eat:

[Blueshark]

I got no food to eat.

[Bowwowmeow]

Oh no! Why not?

[Blueshark]

Well I am eating. I had just lost my appetite.

[Gliondrach]

Are you looking for some more interesting food?

[Blueshark]

I am going to eat your hand.

[Gliondrach]

It's not vegan food and you would become very ill.

[squirrel]

Are you sure this is the right place for that? :eat:
Believe me this forum is lot saner than my work place right now.

[Gliondrach]

It must be a mad house.

[Fauxmage]

My internet connection is teetering on the brink of oblivion, and Seymour fell off the top of the computer armoire, where he has NO business being anyway, and put a nice long bloody slash on my forearm, knocked a picture down, and knocked my fossil onto my head. I have bits of sandstone stuck in my hair now. :(

I think it might turn out to be one of those days where you should just not get out of bed at all! :sleeping:

[Gliondrach]

I hope your arm is feeling better. And that that rascal Seymour is all right.

[Fauxmage]

Oh yes Seymour is fine. I screamed when he scratched my arm (it hurt :o ) and he was already on the couch, looking at me like he wanted to know what my problem was. :rolleyes:

I put some Merry Hempsters scratch balm on my scratch. It still stings, but that balm usually helps cat scratches. It just looks so nasty. Its three inches long.

[Gliondrach]

I hope he's feeling guilty.

[Fauxmage]

No, he's looking pretty carefree as always! Poor Daisy is feeling awful though. She gets upset when I do, even when its got nothing to do with her. :p

[Gliondrach]

:eat:

[Fauxmage]

That reminds me, I haven't had any breakfast yet, and its nearly 10 AM.

[Gliondrach]

It's 6 PM here.

[Stormy]

Well, me and my tribe of children, partner and dogs are off wild camping for 10 days at Nine Ladies in the Peak District again :thumbsup: ... to commune with nature, sit around a fire of an evening and meet old friends up there again :) I really can't wait and have been sorting the packing to go away all day.... we have a new tipi tent to put up too so that will be cool... I think I have it all sorted now :yea:

So I will see you on here when I get back :blinkwave: and in the meantime keep spreading the word about veganism and doing the wonderful job you do here :nanakiss: :hug: :D :)

[Blueshark]

I just ordered some pizza. I will be back with pictures ;).

[Fauxmage]

Well, me and my tribe of children, partner and dogs are off wild camping for 10 days at Nine Ladies in the Peak District again :thumbsup: ... to commune with nature, sit around a fire of an evening and meet old friends up there again :) I really can't wait and have been sorting the packing to go away all day.... we have a new tipi tent to put up too so that will be cool... I think I have it all sorted now :yea:

So I will see you on here when I get back :blinkwave: and in the meantime keep spreading the word about veganism and doing the wonderful job you do here :nanakiss: :hug: :D :)
Oh sounds like fun!!! Enjoy yourselves! :hug: :wave:

[Gliondrach]

Have a wonderful time, Stormy.


Well, me and my tribe of children, partner and dogs are off wild camping for 10 days at Nine Ladies in the Peak District again :thumbsup: ... to commune with nature, sit around a fire of an evening and meet old friends up there again :) I really can't wait and have been sorting the packing to go away all day.... we have a new tipi tent to put up too so that will be cool... I think I have it all sorted now :yea:

So I will see you on here when I get back :blinkwave: and in the meantime keep spreading the word about veganism and doing the wonderful job you do here :nanakiss: :hug: :D :)

[Blueshark]

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7936/photo0004j.jpg

[Gliondrach]

What are those white things?

[Blueshark]

Plastic supports to keep the pizza toppings safe from a crumpled box.

[Gliondrach]

Whatever will they think of next?

[squirrel]

That looks lush (excluding the topping protectors :uhuh:)
Was it as good as it looks?

[Blueshark]

Yeah! It was really tasty. The toppings were: olives, pineapples, chillis, peppers, tomatoes, spring onions. I ate two 9" ones.

[Gliondrach]

Many-ish years ago I used to volunteer somewhere. One evening a woman visited the group and taught us circle dancing. We danced to various tunes, mainly eastern Europe types. My favourite was a song called Menousis. It was a very slow dance. Very meditative. We would take three steps to the left, three into the middle of the circle, three back out and then two to the right. So, we were moving one step each time. We kept in time with the beat. I started going to a local circle dance group in a school near me. I managed to get a recording of the song from the woman who ran the group but it was a rather poor copy from the tape recorder. She said she thought it was Nana Mouskouri singing. It didn't sound like her. I searched on youtube last year but there was no mention of it. Perhaps because I searched under her name. I found it just a few minutes ago. Strangely, I had gone to youtube to look for a Jon and Vangelis song called The Friends of Mr Cairo. That's a strange one. It lasts for 10 minutes. But I decided to do another search for Menousis first. I just typed in the word. I found it. The first one mentioned is by Vangelis and Irene Papas. And it is the version I heard. I had no idea he had recorded it. Nor that Irene Papas could sing.

That first night dancing to the song was good. It was the evening, the lights were out and the only light came from some candles. About 20 of us were slowly going round in a circle.

luY5U4zvKZ8

[Bowwowmeow]

That's very pretty. Beautiful images on the video too. Did bringing back that happy memory make your day go better?

[Soynut]

Beautiful images and music, Gliondrach... it brings back memories to me... and I wasn't even there!:)

[Gliondrach]

That's very pretty. Beautiful images on the video too. Did bringing back that happy memory make your day go better?

Yes, it made my day go better - even though the day had nearly ended when I found it.

It's strange how we are prompted to do things. I had been watching Young Dracula in the morning on telly. They played a Transylvanian folk song and I thought about looking for some Eastern European songs on youtube in the evening.

I found another one after making that post. We used to dance to a song called The Bells of Norwich. That's a nice tune. There's only one on youtube but it isn't the same version. And we used to dance to an Israeli tune but I can't find it. Not surprising as I don't know what it's called.

[Gliondrach]

Beautiful images and music, Gliondrach... it brings back memories to me... and I wasn't even there!:)
:D

That means you should take up circle dancing.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Yesterday someone asked me if I wanted an oracle reading. I gather that's in a similar vein to tarot, rune reading etc...

She said "ask a question" so I said "will I ever have a family? (partner and/or children)"

The oracle basically told me that my life is and will be a big crock of the brown smelly stuff.

This obviously wasn't what I wanted to hear. The woman, in an effort to cheer me up, asked the oracle "what can I do to make my life better?"

It said "give up"

I guess I should laugh....

[Gliondrach]

Obvious tosh. I say that in my capacity as the High Druid of the British Isles.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

I know. I only let her do it to see what it said. It just kinda agreed with what I already suspected about my life so that was a bit of a kick to the old morale!

[Gliondrach]

We can't always choose our circumstances but we can choose how we react to them. That's the secret. As a vegan, you've shown yourself to be a free thinker. That will be good for you in life.

[Bunny]

My day is going okay so far. No threats or hassling which is always a good start. I may try and do some long over due cleaning soon... but I have a new baby guinea pig and she is such a distraction. As for my gorgeous House Bunny, Snoopy.... how can I ignore him?!!

Housework is just not fluffly enough :(

[Gliondrach]

There's lots of fluff under the furniture here. I'll have to have a word with the downstairs maid but she's upstairs at the moment.

[Bunny]

I don't know if I have ever looked under furniture before..... very odd... I think that is just asking for trouble myself. *is wise*

[Gliondrach]

I can see under the furniture when I am practising my limbo dancing.

[Bunny]

Always a downside to being in the peak of physical fitness I suppose!

[Gliondrach]

:D

[Gliondrach]

I received the poppies I ordered from Animal Aid. They sell purple poppies in remembrance of all the non-humans who've died in war. And those who are used to test new weapons. It is made of a nylon-like woven material. They look good but the attachment is very flimsy. It's a thin piece of wire. A stiff breeze would blow it out of your lapel. There is a bit of sticky-backed plastic attached to the back. It has a cover on it. If you take that off the sticky part will stick to your lapel. I can't be bothered with that.

I always keep the previous year's red Haig poppy until I buy a new one. I'll take the stem off the Haig poppy and put it on the purple one. The stem is in two parts - the green stem and the black centre piece. The red petals and the green leaf are placed between them and the two parts of the stem are snapped together. I will do that with the purple poppy.

I hope people ask me why I am wearing two poppies and what the purple one is for.

[gabbles]

I'm going to get one.

[Stormy]

Sorry I have been a bit lapse recently about coming to see you guys over here and joining in but I recently found out I was pregnant again and now have reached 8 weeks, although the dates are still to be confirmed as I haven't had a scan as yet. So very tired, very nauseous but hey that is to be expected. Nevertheless very happy, if not a little bit shocked originally.

Hope all of you are well and groovy xx

[Stormy]

I received the poppies I ordered from Animal Aid. They sell purple poppies in remembrance of all the non-humans who've died in war. And those who are used to test new weapons. It is made of a nylon-like woven material. They look good but the attachment is very flimsy. It's a thin piece of wire. A stiff breeze would blow it out of your lapel. There is a bit of sticky-backed plastic attached to the back. It has a cover on it. If you take that off the sticky part will stick to your lapel. I can't be bothered with that.

I always keep the previous year's red Haig poppy until I buy a new one. I'll take the stem off the Haig poppy and put it on the purple one. The stem is in two parts - the green stem and the black centre piece. The red petals and the green leaf are placed between them and the two parts of the stem are snapped together. I will do that with the purple poppy.

I hope people ask me why I am wearing two poppies and what the purple one is for.

Oh wow I want a purple one... I don't wear the red ones (sorry out of principle) but when I can I wear a white one for peace, when I can get hold of one that is.

[Gliondrach]

Sorry I have been a bit lapse recently about coming to see you guys over here and joining in but I recently found out I was pregnant again and now have reached 8 weeks, although the dates are still to be confirmed as I haven't had a scan as yet. So very tired, very nauseous but hey that is to be expected. Nevertheless very happy, if not a little bit shocked originally.

Hope all of you are well and groovy xx



Congratulations! :yea: Another vegan is soon to come into the world.

[Gliondrach]

Oh wow I want a purple one... I don't wear the red ones (sorry out of principle) but when I can I wear a white one for peace, when I can get hold of one that is.

I have just used the purple poppy as it is, but I have twisted its wire stem round the red poppy's plastic stem.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Congrats Stormy! :D

[Stormy]

Thanks :) xx

[Gliondrach]

I popped to a local shop this evening for the Radio Times, and a woman customer asked me what the purple poppy is for. So I told her. She's the first person who's asked.

[Ayashi Foxtail]

Yay :)

[Gliondrach]

:thumbsup:

[gabbles]

Sorry I have been a bit lapse recently about coming to see you guys over here and joining in but I recently found out I was pregnant again and now have reached 8 weeks, although the dates are still to be confirmed as I haven't had a scan as yet. So very tired, very nauseous but hey that is to be expected. Nevertheless very happy, if not a little bit shocked originally.

Hope all of you are well and groovy xx

:yea: :cheer: Wonderful news. Vegans will take over the world.

[Maegan1979]

Today is another special day that God has given me.
A day full of smile because of extraordinary people that surrounds me and love just what and who I am.


Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.



Maegan.
-------------------
How intelligent are you?
Find out here: IQ Test (http://www.selfgrowth.com/test.html) || EQ Test (http://www.selfgrowth.com/test.html)

[Gliondrach]

Welcome Maegan. :wave:

I'm glad you have people around you who appreciate you.

More joy to you. And being vegan is one of the most worthwhile things anyone can do.

[gabbles]

Hello Maegan. :wave:

[Bowwowmeow]

Sorry I have been a bit lapse recently about coming to see you guys over here and joining in but I recently found out I was pregnant again and now have reached 8 weeks, although the dates are still to be confirmed as I haven't had a scan as yet. So very tired, very nauseous but hey that is to be expected. Nevertheless very happy, if not a little bit shocked originally.

Hope all of you are well and groovy xx
Oh my goodness I totally missed this post before! Congratulations! :cheer: :colors: :psing:

[Gliondrach]

It's been dark here since 2 PM - that was 3 hours ago. Pitch black now.

[ChenLi]

I thought one of the kittens I'm fostering had escaped....I was like ARGH...couldn't find her anywhere...then suddenly she appeared with her sisters O-o

[Gliondrach]

Kittens are like that. One of a cat's main purposes in life is to confuse and confound human-types.

[ChenLi]

Woke up this morning to find the oldest kitten had died...she's going to have a post mortem, but god it makes you feel awful.

[Gliondrach]

Sorry to hear that. Poor kitten.

[Gliondrach]

I was just about to write about another unexplained happening and was going to put it in the 'Unexplained Happenings' thread. I have been looking for my toothbrush but couldn't find it. I had it this morning but I just couldn't find it after that. I remembered coming downstairs this morning at about 5.30 to chase some pigeons who were making a noise on the balcony. I don't want them nesting there. I went back to bed. When I got up, I couldn't find the toothbrush anywhere. I looked in cupboards, in the fridge, in the oven. No sign of it. I looked in those places because I was only half awake this moring when I last saw it and might have inadvertently put it somewhere daft. I came to the conclusion that the toothbrush had been transported into another dimension. Either that, or I must have swallowed it.

I heard the pigeons again a few seconds before beginning to write this. I went to the door to chase them and, there just inside the door, was the toothbrush. It must have fallen out of my pyjama pocket when I bent down to move the axle stand at the bottom of the door.

I now believe the pigeons came back to make a noise because they knew where it was and knew that I would find it when I went to the door. Disprove it if you can. I now feel a bit guilty for chasing them.

[Fauxmage]

Woke up this morning to find the oldest kitten had died...she's going to have a post mortem, but god it makes you feel awful.
Yes it does, even when they are tiny and you have barely had a chance to get to know them. :bmoon:

[gabbles]

Poor little kitten. :hug:

[Gliondrach]

It snowed this afternoon. Just a light dusting that soon disappeared. It must have snowed again recently because there's a good covering of it on the ground.

[Gliondrach]

I was in town yesterday. In a local department store they have what I think is a sushi bar in the food department. The stench from it is disgusting. It leaks out into part of the perfume department and other parts of the food area. I don't know how people can work near it. Or eat there. There's usually a crowd of people sitting at the bar.

[Doughnut]

Had a public argument with my partner in Poundland of all places! She said I was being selfish because she thought I was rushing her when she was looking at something in a shop. I only asked what the time was but I guess she took it the wrong way. The best part of my day was that I had an amazing veggie burger with a tonne of fries when in town shopping.

[Gliondrach]

When in a poundshop one must carefully consider the value of the article one is considering buying. And then ask the price.

[Doughnut]

When in a poundshop one must carefully consider the value of the article one is considering buying. And then ask the price.

Or try and read the foreign language on the back! ;)

I started the day annoying my partner again as per usual. I peeked into one of her Christmas shopping bags when she had her back turned but she caught me and got mad. :sniff:

[Doughnut]

My hangover from drinking way too much last night is starting to fade. I annoyed my partner about 10 times today and I also lied when I took in a parcel for her. She asked if I looked at the writing on the box and I said no but really I had. I think it was a white lie as I did not want to spoil her surprise for me.

[Gliondrach]

A white lie can sometimes prevent a black mood.

[Tabby]

I've really only got the choice of doing homework for my English studies or word processing work I do for a charity I volunteer for. So I guess I best scoot off and get on with it. Other than that my day is going well.. ...:reading: :D

[Gliondrach]

I'm glad your day is going well. May it go even weller.

[Samantha Saucy]

I have been busy. I am planning my son's first birthday party, helping my CLUELESS cousin get ready for her 5th baby (irony major), and awaiting marriage counseling. I hope I get to go camping at least once this year, or I'll go nuts from all of this! AAAGH!

[Gliondrach]

I hope you manage to go camping. Our esteemed leader likes to go camping in the Yosemite area.

[Samantha Saucy]

Thanks, I'm too far away from there, though, I was born in those parts.

[Gliondrach]

I cut my hair today as it was getting rather long. I made quite a good job of it. Short all over with the back tapering down to just stubble on the neck. :hungry:

[boogabaah]

morning started off okay. then it hit me.. horrible migraine.. just been laying about most the day. i need to eat something, but it's so hard to cook when i feel like this. someone come make me food. i'll be your best friend if you do. :crying:

[nagev]

I cut my hair today as it was getting rather long. I made quite a good job of it. Short all over with the back tapering down to just stubble on the neck. :hungry:

Interesting. Picture?

morning started off okay. then it hit me.. horrible migraine.. just been laying about most the day. i need to eat something, but it's so hard to cook when i feel like this. someone come make me food. i'll be your best friend if you do. :crying:

:( Sorry to read that. I can relate though. I feel like that when I get those bad migraines too. It hurts to do anything.

[Bowwowmeow]

My day was very long and tiring, as I was at my house moving the old washing machine and water heater out, and clearing the wall to get it ready for new plumbing, electricity, and sheetrock.

But on my drive back I saw the funniest thing, that made me laugh out loud. Large portions of the highway pass through free range cattle country, and along the road, on the right, the police had stopped a motorist, probably for speeding. On the left, there was a gang of maybe ten to twelve coal black cows, all huddled together exactly across from the police, looking at him giving the motorist his ticket. They had acres and acres of grassland to roam, but they wanted to see the action. It was like a Gary Larson cartoon come to life. I wanted to take a picture, but I am not sure the Highway Patrol are sympathetic to that sort of thing. :lol:

[Gliondrach]

morning started off okay. then it hit me.. horrible migraine.. just been laying about most the day. i need to eat something, but it's so hard to cook when i feel like this. someone come make me food. i'll be your best friend if you do. :crying:


I hope you're feeling better now, Boogabaah. I could make some toast and post it to you. :yum:

[Gliondrach]

Interesting. Picture?




I took some pictures but I sent them off to the Hairdresser of the Year competition.

[nagev]

My day was very long and tiring, as I was at my house moving the old washing machine and water heater out, and clearing the wall to get it ready for new plumbing, electricity, and sheetrock.

Do you do all the work yourself?

But on my drive back I saw the funniest thing, that made me laugh out loud. Large portions of the highway pass through free range cattle country, and along the road, on the right, the police had stopped a motorist, probably for speeding. On the left, there was a gang of maybe ten to twelve coal black cows, all huddled together exactly across from the police, looking at him giving the motorist his ticket. They had acres and acres of grassland to roam, but they wanted to see the action. It was like a Gary Larson cartoon come to life. I wanted to take a picture, but I am not sure the Highway Patrol are sympathetic to that sort of thing. :lol:

That's funny. :)

[Bowwowmeow]

Do you do all the work yourself?
Yes I do. I don't know anyone where my house is, I can't ask anyone around here to drive for three hours just to help me, and so far I haven't come across anything I couldn't find a way to do somehow, though I think overdoing the work is part of what made me have this breakdown, or whatever it is.

And I'm a cheapskate, and don't want to pay people for labor. I'd rather use the money I save to buy really nice stuff, and do the work myself.

[Gliondrach]

Well, I would take my hat off to you if I wore one. I hate doing any work in the house.

[Bowwowmeow]

Oh I like to do it, though sometimes when I am in the middle of something difficult I get frustrated. I have potentially expensive tastes, but not much money, so I can manage to have a beautiful home for a lot less. I do seem to be dependent upon beautiful surroundings, emotionally.

I also enjoy the immense satisfaction of being able to do these things myself. Apparently it still entertains certain people too. I remember thrilling the ladies in my neighborhood by being seen lying in the street under my car, replacing the starter motor. That was a long time ago! But on Monday I thrilled some old guy in the hardware store by hand sawing some moldings to the length I needed. He said "Hello young lady! It tickled me to see you sawing that wood all by yourself!" Those sorts of comments don't bother me, but it's a shame that people still think it's unusual for a woman to be able to do that sort of work.

[nagev]

Well, I'm glad you're doing the work yourself. Not because it has anything to do with being a woman (I know plenty of people, men and woman, just not interested in doing work on their house or car or whatnot). It's just nice to see other people enjoying that. Well, at least not the frustrating parts. :)

[Bowwowmeow]

I guess it's about being independent. I know my Dad would come out and help me if I asked, but asking seems to be a last resort for me.

[YouFirefly]

Today I found out that there are such things as a "Fruit and Vege Box", which I can order from my local organics shop and is delivered for free. It conjures up images of an awesome selection of fruit and veges and I am super excited!! I have emailed them asking what comes in the "standard" box and I am really hoping it is as awesome as my imagination has made it out to be! :daydream:

[Gliondrach]

I've heard of these. I think they put in whatever they have at the time - depending on the season.

[YouFirefly]

Yea I thought it'd probably be like that. They generally have quite a good selection in the shop, which is promising! Although it probably doesn't quite reach all the exotic fruit and veg that my imagination has conjured up :excited:

[Gliondrach]

They probably have kiwi fruit.

[YouFirefly]

Probably! Ack. Bloody kiwifruit. I don't really like it :Sigh: The green ones are alright but the gold ones are yuck. I was told the other day that you're supposed to wash the skin so the hairs all stick down and then eat it all without peeling it. It really creeps me out because when I was younger I tried to eat the skin of a kiwifruit without washing it down and it was all furry and so so CREEPY!!
Their website said something about having the option of picking what goes in, but I need to find out how much more expensive that might be!

[Bowwowmeow]

Oh I had a service like that when I lived in the San Francisco area. You got to tell them what you never wanted, so that at least you never had to pay for things you really hated.

[YouFirefly]

They replied to my email, apparently you get mainly vegetables, and you also have to pay extra for "pick and pack" which basically means you pay them to put it in a box for you. It's looking like it'll be too expensive for me on my meagre student budget..... LAAAAAAAAME

[Bowwowmeow]

Aw that's too bad. They may not be the only such service in your area though. Mine actually came from a farm rather than a shop. They were able to keep the cost low by having lots of people in the area to deliver to. You could get a small box or a large one, have it delivered every week or every two weeks, and put a hold on it if you were going to be out of town.

[YouFirefly]

I think I might have to do some research, it'd be really awesome to get a box of goodies! And hopefully it'd mean I'd eat more variety. I shall have a look!! :D

[Gliondrach]

Are there any suitable farmers' markets or pick-your-own farms nearby? They'd be cheaper.

A great way of getting fresh food is to do some sprouting. Your very own vegan-organic crops!

[YouFirefly]

There are, but it's on sunday which used to fine because I didn't start work until 12, but now my boss has messed with my shifts and I start work too early to get there :(

I would LOVE to grow my own veges! Unfortunately I live in the middle of the city in a 6 story building with not even a hint at a garden. It's definitely a plan for the future though!!

[Gliondrach]

You only need a couple of jars to do sprouting. You could be self-sufficient in food. Well, some of it.

I've done sprouting. It's easy. I plan to grow beets and other greens in pots and trays but haven't done so yet.

[YouFirefly]

Really? I was always under the impression (with my almost non-existent gardening knowledge) that you could start growing things in pots and trays but then they had to be moved to a garden to have enough space....
What else can you grown in pots and trays? This sounds awesome!!!

[Gliondrach]

http://www.veganorganic.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=65

You can grow spinach, beets and other things. But cut them when they are small. Many will keep growing and you can cut them again.


----------
Growing Tomatoes Indoors

Mary Ann Romans

Growing your own food is certainly a very frugal hobby. But what do you do when it is winter, when your climate has a short growing cycle, or when you have a postage-size yard? Why not try growing your food indoors?

Tomatoes are one of the best plants to grow indoors. An indoor tomato plant will yield fresh tomatoes any time of the year with little more than watering.


For growing indoors, I prefer cherry and plum tomatoes. They are smaller in size, and there are plenty of sweet varieties that taste so yummy straight off of the vine. The kids love to pop them in their mouths like candy. You can grow larger tomatoes indoors, but I would suggest finding compact plants such as "Better Bush" and "Heartland." "Taxi" is a nice medium sized yellow tomato that is sure to brighten up the indoors with its pretty fruit. And for small ones, try the cute "Tiny Tim."

Tomatoes do like sun, so you'll need to find some room on a sunny windowsill. A sun-room or enclosed porch is ideal for growing indoor tomatoes, but really any warm, brightly lit place will do. The tomatoes need day time temperatures of at least 75 degrees, although 80 degrees is even better, to produce healthy tomatoes.

Start looking for your tomato plants next month, when the nurseries will have plenty of variety. Your plants will grow and be very happy indoors in the summer, producing lots of fruit and building up their size and strength for the winter.

You can plant the tomatoes in any large, clean container. Experts recommend using a soil-less potting mix for indoor to eliminate soil diseases and little pests. Indoor tomatoes will be affected by the same bugs and critters that are attracted to other indoor house plants. But buy growing your tomatoes indoors, you won't have to worry about cutworms and other outdoor creatures.

Water your plants carefully to avoid root rot.

To help fertilize your plants, shake a day-old flower (or snap it with your finger once) to encourage pollination.

ht---tp://frugal.families.com/blog/growing-tomatoes-indoors

[YouFirefly]

OOOOH. This looks wonderful! I'm definitely going to look at doing this, imagine fresh vegetables growing inside my FLAT!! :yum: