Greatbeardedone, I went to get a design done and the tattooist said that they could put numbers next to my freckles, so that my friends could do dot to dot!

They’re off across America, their 4th continent!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7wzh0qHl4P/?igshid=14apb3qkumefp

Ala.ni came up on my Spotify yesterday so I’m having a wee listen to her new album. Then after that I’ve got a Lenny Dee master tape from 1993 to digitalis and upload, I’m praying my tape deck doesn’t chew it

In a globalised world international issues can and do affect us. Our border security has had to be increased because of a viral outbreak in China and our NHS is providing treatment. Womens rights in Turkey can also change our moral perspective and be detrimental to families living in the UK. Even if the women aren’t forced to get married do they really have a choice in a patriarchal society? Even in the UK we’re a long way off achieving equal rights and practice is seriously lagging behind policy, but we’re much better off than the majority of the female population so I should be wheesht and grateful.
I do agree that the stories are framed to create click bate and present one dramatised narrative that suits an agenda and boosts profit, but if you’re interested in the stories then use them to find others that fit with your views, or even explore others.

“Women aren’t recognised as individuals but as extensions of men”

I’m 5’2 and struggle with height and reach on a small 650b. I find it quite restrictive and much prefer the scale of the 26″, I’ve not tried a 29er yet though

Awesome, thanks for the heads up 😀 When my kids were little we made a Snowtoro and one of them dressed as No Face for Halloween, not one of our neighbours had heard of them, which is such a shame as they’re such a refreshing alternative to the American studios. I love how they present themes such as identity and having a male lone parent that doesn’t comically mess up and need a gf to tidy up after him
Film4 often show them, but I don’t think it’s on demand

As mentioned before getting them involved in planning the meals makes a big difference. I let the kids choose 2 evening meals each a week, which must be reasonably balanced and a minimum of 2 veggies, soup as a starter is a good way to get another portion in. We all have to eat each others choices, including mine. If it’s something new or that they don’t like just give them a manageable portion, even if it’s only a spoonful or two at least they are trying. Experts say it takes around 15 tries for your palette to adjust to new flavours or textures, I still can’t manage eggs after a fair few decades and the little monsters will put them on the menu if I make a veggie curry

Definitely the book, it’s so intense. Although the film is good it doesn’t translate well from print to film

Spray it on the sofa, not the cats. It stopped mine from scratching the sofa

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pet-behave-training-spray

11,000 miles! 7,000 to go. I thought their journey would end in Australia, but they’ve kept on going. Their blog is amazing, they’ve met so many awesome people on the way and have travelled through some stunning scenery. They’re doing it for a great cause too!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Igad5lZDD/?igshid=14azjyroletqp

Get a whole bush full of nuts by growing your own hazel

Too much detail? Sorry.
In short my landlord has double charged for rent and then altered my online statement to show that I’ve been in debt for years. I’d opted for paperless statements which are viewable in my online account, I thought these were as reliable as paper copies for verification of previous charges and payments. I wasn’t aware that they could be altered in retrospect and without notice.
I can prove all my payments with my bank statements and having gone through a year’s worth each one matches on both the original and the new statements, however the agent has asked me to prove where the error has occurred in their statement which involves paperwork going back to 2012. They won’t accept 6 months worth of screenshots of their original online statement, which says in bold that they’ve made an error and to ignore the extra charge.

I hope it works out in your favour Tj

Lol @ spousal maintenence, I’m impressed by your enlightenment. My ex doesn’t even cover school lunches never mind loss of earnings due to parental responsibilities

Here’s a link to the government’s child maintenance calculator, I used their service to receive £11.64 a week from the father of my 2 kids. You can calculate the real cost yourself, including the extra rent or mortgage required to house them, transport, feed…
I hope it works out amicably

https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

You have to have nothing to lose to be willfully ignorant, whether it’s due to being at rock bottom or in a position of privilege. I’m selective with what I consume, the local news tends to be filled with assaults, robberies and a token feel good story about a charity that’s doing the job our taxes should pay for. It let’s me know what’s happening in my community and if I should carry a rape alarm. I do like to know what’s going on in the world though, that information forms what food choices I make, how much my fuel is going to cost, where to buy my clothes…

Have they seen any of the Studio Ghibli films? Spirited Away is about a girl moving from childhood into adulthood,Cats Return is about societies expectations of women and patriarchy and My Neighbour Totoro is totally awesome.
On Netflix at the moment there’s Full Out which is a based on a true story about a gymnast

My ex was a son of a polygamist, I had 4 MILs! TBF, he needed a team to look after his lazy backside. All 4 of them hated me as I was too headstrong, I took it as a compliment

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve extended my shopping list to include aperol, cointreau, cachaca, dry martini and vodka (I can’t believe I don’t have any) I’m not sure I dare let a bottle of tequila in the house, it’s a rowdy drink 😜 but I have plenty gin and whisky

Infidel; thanks for the tip, I see it’s used in Hemmingway’s daiquiri too. Elderflower liqueur and Amaretto are also going in the cabinet, I’m going to have fun tasting all of these. Hic 🤣

I’m making a shopping list, so far I’ve got:-
Campari
Sweet Vermouth
Green Chartreuse
Kahlua
Galliano
Rose’s lime cordial
Maraschino

Have I missed anything?

Thanks, I’ll give the penicillin a sip. Have you tried a whisky mac? Especially nice with a bottle of Crabbies ginger wine. The Last Word sounds interesting, I like gin too.

I’m all about the old fashions!

So is santa, the kids insisted as the cats would drink the milk. I’ve only just discovered old fashioneds, I fear it’s just the beginning of a boozy new year 🤣 I’d like to try the brandy versions and the other cocktails it gave lead to, any you’d recommend?

I find that there’s just so much that needs to be done that I don’t know where to start, so I don’t. It’s worse when I have a busy schedule and missing a chore or two a day can build into what looks like a full time job to sort. I often feel overwhelmed by even the simplest of tasks, like doing the laundry from basket to wardrobe. My biggest motivation to get out on the bike is when I have the opportunity to do the tasks, they are often my best rides and by the time I get back it’s too late to start. Then they build up and I don’t know what to prioritise, I can’t do the laundry because there’s some on the dryer, more in the machine and some ready to go in in front of it, so I can’t do the floor. I can’t hoover the kids room because toys are on the floor but I can’t put them away because they broke the shelves using them as ladders playing Lava.
So.
I start with the dishes. Just a drainer full, then maybe a coffee. Then take the cup back, put away the now dry dishes and wash the rest. 1 job done.
As I take the clothes out of the machine, I put clothes on hangers which can sometimes even dry in the wardrobe, if not then it saves space on the airer for the stuff that needs to go in drawers as I just hang them from the top rail.
Then I start on the living room, just piling up papers, books, remotes… Another coffee compliments this task, before the piles get deposited near to where they are supposed to be. Then I can hoover and begin on the bathrooms, all just one little step at a time.
I get more motivated by seeing the visible results and it helps to then clear my mind to be able to focus on the bigger issues that need addressing.
Of course, I’m sitting writing this instead of doing any of the above… But I have piled all the Christmas artwork on the coffee table and I’m going to do the dishes when I finish this cup. Oh! Look, there’s a bird in the garden 🤣
Just start with what you can do, don’t beat yourself up as it’s just wasting energy that you could be using to be happier

If you like an Old Fashioned cocktail Asda is selling JD Rye for £16ish a bottle and you can get Sazerac Rye online at House of Malt for £35 and a bit, they also sell Peychauds bitters. The Sazerac is a perfect winter warmer, the cocktail is lush… Especially if you swap out the sugar cube for a spoonful or two of honey.
I’ve been having a glass in the evenings and it seems to be keeping the seasonal bugs at bay, that’s my excuse anyway 🤣

Molgrips, that’s just pennies compared to the hundreds of thousands that can slip from your account because a fraudster has intercepted your solicitors email or has copied your card details and is buying themselves a new 3 piece suite and iPad.
It’s a lot easier and safer to scam someone when you’re not looking them in the face or fighting them for their handbag and it’s a lot more lucrative

I only buy my young kids a maximum of 5 gifts each; 1 that they need, 1 that they read, 1 that they eat, 1 that they wear and 1 that they want. We do things as a family instead, I don’t remember the gift I was given at 6 but I do remember having a snowball fight by a loch with my cousins. Kids get plenty of stuff throughout the year and I’d rather get adults a gift if I want to rather than because it’s expected, if I see something I know that they’ll like or need. I’d rather spend money on memories rather than merchandise

@Dickyboy, you could be right. The campsite they stayed at was closed due to the fires.
Their journey has been epic so far, they show a side of humanity which is beautiful, kind and resilient

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6NqiFRlqcX/?igshid=1hvh84uz6l3hh

I prefer cash as it’s something real and validated. Take the Scottish bank notes, you know that value is guaranteed with sterling silver and not a pound of tatties as with other currency and didly squat digitally. Digital money is far too vulnerable to errors or fraud, and being frozen as others have mentioned.
Billions of pounds are laundered through London electronically by cartels and dodgy dealings annually as it’s the gateway to Europe for offshore accounts. Your tax evading builder or childminder pales in comparison and at least their money is more likely to go back into the local economy instead of those who make the guys on the Forbes rich list look like paupers. The black market is the biggest market in the world and moving money digitally is a lot less conspicuous than a lorry load of dollars. Roberto Saviano said back in 2016 that this will likely rocket after Brexit as international cooperation to stop it will break down.
Anyone for a resource and skills based economy?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/29/roberto-saviano-london-is-heart-of-global-financial-corruption

A Global Holistic Solution: Resource Based Economy

I still have a job to go to tomorrow after a new boss tried to get me sacked. I proved my integrity and productivity, using the managements own evidence against me and legislation. “Oh, what a web we weave when we practice to decive.”
It may not be tenable for me to continue, unless there are some changes but Christmas and the new year aren’t looking as dire and desperate as they did last week.

You’re warming up to fast, causing your capillaries to burst and this causes the intense itch. Give it a few hours before having a bath or shower and don’t sit in front of the fire, put dry clothes on and have a warm drink instead and take a layer off if you start to itch. I’ve found Snowfire is the only thing that gives relief once it starts, I don’t think you can buy it in chemists anymore but amazon has it

I was on Bellamy’s Bugle when I was 7, I remember him as fun and friendly and someone who inspired an interest in nature. He bought the whole class chocolate cake with cream at the George Hotel in Edinburgh, except me. I got ice cream instead 😀
It was disappointing to hear his political views but hey ho. You can now catch me with the more progressive David Attenborough on Our Planet and on that C5 programme with Chris Packham and a guy from JLS, I’m well camouflaged in high viz

I grew up with several people who went to Steiner’s in Edinburgh, they loved it and went on to be successful well rounded people. They did go to other schools to sit exams and achieved high grades despite not having the same education. However, my niece went to one in Aberdeen and it was a shambles, which led to it closing down as pupils were removed. My niece struggled to fit in to mainstream school and was held back a year in primary, but she caught up quickly.

If you are roasting them rub lard on to them before putting them in the dish and cover with foil, uncover for the last 10 minutes if you want some colour. I find pan-fying works the best for succulency and accuracy depending as it’s easier to judge how well done they are. Lard is also better for cooking with as butter burns quicker

A few days later…

It’s working now. I hope the sun shines for you and the little lad

@muddymickey I’d like to donate but the link is broken

Hodgynd, it’s fine to have a different opinion but be prepared to be challenged on them, especially when they are toxic. There are several threads on the chat forum which discuss mental health and the benefits of opening up and talking about problems and how dismissing people as “bleating” and “schoolgirls” is known to be toxic. It’s not a great platform but it does give people a space to ask advice, or vent, with anonymity, impartiality and without repercussions in their relationships. We’re not the judge or the jury, just everyday people trying to get along and make connections

There are already government funded schemes such as Access to Work and Remploy which provide advice and financial support to both employers and employees up to about £57k. You could argue that they should be paid more than the minimum or even the supposed living wage as living costs are often higher than average.

The trigger for my friendship’s demise was when I started to stand up for myself and confronted their behaviour, that’s when they got really nasty… But still wanted to come round to get pissed every week or so after they’d been to the pub