My Kindle Saga

Well after much debating, thinking and trying to decide, I finally agreed to have a new Kindle, even though what I really wanted was mine working...  

But with a screen looking like this, and having phoned the Kindle support people I was told that it was not repairable.

So the new one duly arrived.  Yes it is smaller, but it felt almost too small.  The screen felt 'rougher' and when I actually turned it on the screen was too bright to read, so I had to turn the brightness WAY down which then seem to affect the clarity or ease of reading. It certainly didn't feel like reading a proper book, whereas my other kindle was easy on the eye to read and much like reading a book.

I discovered it was not at all easy to use the touch keyboard, the d often came out as an f despite being very careful how I touched the key.  I didn't like how you had to swipe the screen to turn the pages.  That means you HAVE to hold on with one hand and use the other hand to turn the pages, which partly defeated the object of me having a kindle which was to be able to use it completely one handed which I could do with my original keyboard kindle.    It also didn't always recognise my touch - perhaps because of the problem I have with my hand?  I am not sure but I have similar problems with other touch screen items.  

Then to add insult to injury some of the features didn't seem to be available.  The help desk person couldn't work out why either, just suggested it was perhaps because I wasn't connected to Wifi, just using the 3G.  Well later I managed to connect to Wifi and it still didn't make any difference.  Three features, including 'collections' which was obviously one I wanted, was blanked out.  

Now this Kindle WAS NOT cheap and I also had to pay extra to not have adverts on the screen.  I was not happy.  In fact I was very unhappy with it.  I just wanted MY kindle.

Well my husband then discovered there was a repair service offered on Ebay.  The listing showed screens just like mine, it was for a very reasonable price and I figured what did I have to lose?  I packaged the new kindle back up and returned it - even before mine was fixed, that was how much I disliked it.

I sent my kindle off on Tuesday and got it back today!

The screen is perfect, and everything works just how I want it to.  I can hold it one handed and turn the pages with that one hand at an easy click of the side buttons.

I can't recommend the service this person does highly enough and I am so very grateful to have my kindle back again in full working order.   For anyone who needs a screen fixed on their Kindle, this is the Ebay user name of the guy who did mine:  steve15r  

Five on Friday - on Saturday!

Yes a day late to join in  with Amy's  'Five on Friday' 

I have had a pretty rough week health wise coming down with the dreaded lurgy.  Generally I never get ill, and yet this is the second time in four months!  Not good.  Anyway I think I am on the mend now so hopefully can get back to my 'plan' of things to get done before my trip home to New Zealand to visit my parents and family.

1:  Knitting

My week has been spent either in bed, or sitting in the lounge with a blanket round me while knitting and watching Netflix!  What have I been knitting?  Dolls clothes!

2:  The Garden

The little Blue Tits were very active the other morning and I caught this one while sitting in the lounge - not the best of pictures as taken through our very dirty patio window.  

The NZ Magnolia has buds on it.

3: Books

I finished another book.  I really enjoyed this.  Written in a time where children could really be children, all the bells and whistles and hoops and 'health and safety' rigmarole was not yet in force this couple offered holidays on their farmlet for young children.  They say it how it is and as such it is quite a laugh.  I understand a TV programme was produced lightly based on it.  I have never seen the TV programme and don't think I would want to as I would imagine the BBC or whoever would produce it would 'PC' it.   I picked this one up in a charity shop.  Toying with whether to get any more in the series or just lave it with having read this one.

I'm currently reading this book:

I had to venture out today to get some groceries.  Our supermarket has a second hand book rack and they ask that you donate £1 per book you choose for a local charity.  Sometimes I am able to pick up a book or two that looks interesting. I haven't seen any for a while, but I did pick up two today.

4: Snacks!

While on the Whole30 way of eating my husband has been bemoaning the fact that he has been missing crisps (potato chips) and so I made him some - the healthy way.  

Very simply done in the microwave they turned out surprisingly good.

I also made some sweet potato crisps as well.  Needless to say they soon disappeared.

5: Dinner

Finally I decided to cook something a little different tonight:

Cod with citrus-ginger glaze

Grilled Asparagus with lemon zest

Baked sweet potato

Glazed carrots & parsnips

Broccoli - to add some green!

Okay so I am not so good on the 'display' part of the meal, but it tasted pretty good.

Three Weeks In

Well three weeks in to the Whole30 and I can't say I have noticed any difference at all really, apart from less headaches - and the two I have had have not required medication.  I think for those that live a diet rich in sugar, wheat, dairy etc, would notice a difference, but in all honesty we aren't eating a lot differently from what we normally do.  

Pain levels are still the same.

Oh and I have caught some virus - a kind of cold I guess, the throat is not the best.  I never normally get ill and this is the second I have had in six months, so not impressed!

I finished 'The Outrun'  I wish I could remember which blog I read who recommended it, so could say thanks as I really enjoyed it, but I can't seem to find the post among the blogs I read regularly. Strange as I was sure I knew who did recommend it.  Anyway in the off chance they may read this (I don't think my readership is especially high), thank you.

Beautifully written, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the nature and wildlife on the islands.  A completely different book from what I normally read, but very lyrical and gentle in many ways, despite the gritty subject matter cleverly interwoven throughout the book.

I can't believe this is the only photo I have taken so far of the garden this year!  Mind you it could be something to do with the fact the garden just looks a mess at the moment!

Stanley is growing up fast and is quite the character and he just loves being outside and getting into mischief!

One month today I will be home in New Zealand again and I am looking forward to seeing my family.  A year between visits is way too long, but then so is the journey, and at least I am able to get back.  I am certainly looking forward to some warmer weather!

Cakes, Decorations, Health

Gosh only another couple of days before Christmas!  I know this is a worn comment, but it really does seem to approach far too quickly.

My husband and I did our food shopping at 7.30 am this morning to avoid the crowds and rush, and I have to say it was great, hardly anyone in the store.  

Each Christmas I cook the Christmas dinner for us, usually the boys, my Mother in Law and her partner and then my Aunt and Uncle come round in the late afternoon/early evening for a light tea.  This year our older son and his fiancee can't join us as they are on their ship.  This year is the first year we will have woken up Christmas morning without one of the boys here.  Will seem rather strange.  Our younger son is coming for dinner this year which will be nice. 

A few 

A couple of Christmas cushions.

This lovely friend was made by an Australian blog friend of mine a few years ago now when I used to actively craft and take part in swaps.  It comes out every year and is very special.

Looking at the two trees one morning.

The teddies have their little Nativity Scene.

The Christmas sleigh came round the other evening so I took a couple of photos of it.

I love watching it go past as it plays Christmas songs and collect for Charity.

It was our Wedding Anniversary yesterday.  We had a lovely quiet day and enjoyed a lunch out at one of the local Cafes.  We then had a wander round the Vintage Shop nearby.  Popped over to a garden centre as we had some vouchers to spend and we bought our yearly Christmas decoration for the tree.  Each year we buy a decoration for the tree.  (I forgot to take a photo, so will have to show that tomorrow)

After Christmas I am going to try something else to try and combat the continual 24 hours a day pain I have.  I figure it is worth at try after having read lots of reviews and viewing several you tube videos from various people who have tried this approach with some amazing success.  I figure what have I got to lose (apart from the cost of the books) and hopefully will have something to gain.  I have to do something as the pain although not intense is constant - some days more intense than others of course. but it has spread and really is quite wearing!

Will obviously report back in due course.

Today I baked four cakes, two Lemon Drizzle cakes and two Fruit Cakes.  

These two cakes I took up to my lovely elderly friends for Christmas.  Elizabeth likes the Lemon Cake and Ray likes the Fruit Cake.

Tomorrow is tidying day!  

Real Books versus Kindle

A few years ago I was given a Kindle for Christmas 2011, which while it never replaced 'real' books, was handy for me with my pain issues - it was light, I could use it one handed and it was easy for travel purposes as I could take several books with me at once.  Plus you could increase the font size to make easier reading.    However, it wasn't so easy to flick back if you wanted to re-read something, or remind yourself of something you might have read, which if you tend to fall asleep when you read, I do this often now for some reason, is something you need to do often!

My kindle started to get lines across it last year but it was still readable and I was able to take it to NZ with me earlier this year. I got it out the other day and it has completely had it!  This is what it looks like now:

Totally unusable.

So they are far inferior to real books which sit on a book shelf and are always there (unless packed away in boxes).  I cannot access any of  the books on the kindle now and will have to get a replacement  if I want to read any I have on it. Having to replace a kindle every few years doesn't sound like a very good scheme to me...considering when you think how old some of my books are -- a kindle has to go a long way to beat that!

Will I bother getting a replacement?  I really am not sure.

Soggy Saturday

It was a lovely sunny morning, although the ground was damp and a lot of water droplets on the roses.  I took the dogs out for their early morning walk, put a load of washing on the line and headed off to do the shopping.  By the time I got back I was feeling decidedly 'off' with a very heavy feeling in my head and there really was nothing to it but to head off to bed.  

By mid afternoon the rain was coming down - I guess I should have realised that the weather was about to turn, my body knows in advance.  Perhaps the pressure had dropped I am not sure.  

Our local Sainsburys has a book sale shelf and I picked up a couple of interesting hardbacks today.

The first I have already started reading, although not a lot as fell asleep.  Reading seems to do that to me an awful lot lately, seems I can only manage a few pages.  Is this common I wonder?

This also looked interesting.  

A large Pyrex mixing bowl.  I do like these bowls and use them a lot, and didn't have one this size.

I saw this for 49p and it rings true, and I need it as a reminder as I try to clear my house of 'things' and yet ironically I have just added to them by buying this!  Oh well, there is no logic apart from it matches another I have.

So now just need to decide where to hang them.

I saw this piece of gingham and although really don't 'NEED' anymore fabric, I do have plans for this and hope to use this in the next week.

The next couple of purchases...  I am not sure I can really 'explain' those away.

The first is a 'The Bear Factory' monkey...  I was feeling especially down today, for a variety of reasons, pain being among them and worry about our youngest son...and then receiving a £23 plus customs bill for some small blocks of wood I carve my Hitty dolls from.  This was supposed to have been sent as a gift - it was, but for some unfathomable reason the person put a high value on them!  Plus I also discovered that the PO don't accept CC payments and I didn't have the cash, so the package is still sitting there.  It is ludicrous to have to pay that amount for small blocks of wood, that don't even cost that much!  Anyway, on to the 'reason' ...I saw this cheeky little face looking at me from the £1 soft toy bin, and I always look in these for soft toys for the dogs to play with.  I picked up the monkey and accidentally squeezed him and he said 'I LOVE YOU' so well, the deal was sealed.  

I have decided as a bit of fun I will use him for my 30 Days One Object  photo challenge.  Prompts are taken from 'FMS PhotoADay'.  Whether I always use the prompts depends on if they take my fancy and give me the inspiration I need/want.

I have called him 'Romeo'

1: Art 

2: Something.  Has a G on the end NOT a K - the same applies for other words such as anything and everything!

3: Warm.  This was me today!

Hmm...these especially I cannot explain - they were three for a pound.  Actually they will probably be gifts.  

Earlier on in the week we bought this fabulous foot stool. 

I believe it is probably from the sixties or thereabouts, it is in lovely condition and the perfect height and size.  I use foot stools a lot when sitting down in the evening and had needed a slightly higher one than the one I had.  Love its retro look which of course doesn't match anything else we have!

Finishing up this post with some photos of some of my roses taken the last couple of days.

A Lovely Day out at Wimpole Hall Farm & Gardens,

We had a lovely few hours out today at Wimpole Hall Farm & Gardens.

Naturally I took some photos of the flowers...

This bee was enjoying the pollen.

This nasturtium (Tropaeolum) was certainly attracting the caterpillars

The bees were really enjoying the flowers.

The two donkeys had what I assume were fly repellent halters on.

A fine set of horns on this beast.

Loved this stump garden, what a fun idea.

Very neatly laid out.

Zooming in... this building which looks a bit like a castle ruin is actually a folly and was built in the mid 1770s by the 1st Earl of Hardwicke, Philip Yorke, owner of Wimpole Hall.  The architect Sanderson Miller designed the folly in around 1751 and it was later built by Capability Brown in 1769.  

One day we will have to go for a walk up there for a closer look.

A lot of National Trust properties have second hand book shops and we always go in for a look.

I was delighted to find three books by two authors I collect.

Especially pleased to add this one to my G A Henty collection and look forward to reading it.

Percy is much better today and we went for a walk this morning - doing half of our usual route.

Little Stanley is growing quickly!

A lovely day in all.