New Scribbles

Cyprus Rains

2012-01-27T11:24:00.000+02:00

The rains are falling heavy in Cyprus. Ten years ago was the last time it fell as heavy. However, in 2004 one of the dams had filled enough to overflow. Flowing water scenes are extremely rare so it attracted a lot of attention. Ice-cream vans lined the surrounding walls. This weekend sees the repeat of that situation. Here in our village in the hills we have only had two dry days since the day before NY Eve. We are watching river courses open up where we never knew they existed. Sadly for some their houses are built smack bang in the middle.

The Dam where we have fished in the past is now reported at 100% full and overflowing. An ex-pat filmed the start of the gathering the day before yesterday.

Today the sky is stormy and the rains have fallen in sheets. Then the next minute it is sunny with lightening and rainbows. The craziest weather is happening right above my house as I type. There appears to be two storms coming at different angles and they are swirling around our area. It appears we might be in the eye of the storm. I understand Paphos -lower down and the warm part of town- has had a large hail storm along the Tomb of the Kings road. Our season is winter and our rainy season, however it has surpassed itself this year. We emigrated over in 2005 and this is the coldest, wettest we have ever known.

Slight rainbow between trees

UPDATE...It overflowed

Lonely Crumb : Weight Loss Lament Poem

2012-01-25T12:38:00.001+02:00

I have been on a weight loss programme and since 2nd January 2012. I am pleased to say I have lost 15lb to date. Here is a poem I wrote before I started.

Upon the plate a lonely crumb,

No evidence of before.

It’s history is of cream and jam,

A homemade family of four.

Whatever came of them?

Did they die or get beaten?

Only I know the honest truth,

Of how they were quickly eaten.

They sat in glory on the plate,

Oozing with forbidden sin.

I started on the first one,

Then three more gave in.

Warm aroma of eat me please,

Wafted around the kitchen air.

Their tactics of torture,

Was clever thigh warfare.

I fought the battle with lusty glee,

Still they stood their ground.

I attacked with determined grit,

And firmly won the round.

One by one I demolished them,

And now sit with deep reflection,

Maybe I should have only eaten one,

I have terrible indigestion!

2011

Close to everything

2012-01-25T12:37:00.000+02:00

Guest post written by Christine Duncan.

I love living here so close to the beach but I'm really sick of having to move houses so often. My husband has this weird thing for real estate so he constantly buying a house and having us move in so he can fix it up and sell it only to have us move out again. I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal but we have lived in five different houses in six years… That's not normal! Every time I get ft lauderdale direct tv service set up or finally make a friend in the neighborhood my husband comes home and tells me we are going to move again. I really admire his go get ‘em attitude but at times I wish it didn't interfere with our home life so often. What I wouldn't give for him to have a 9-to-5 job so he wouldn't keep putting me in the middle of this real estateracket. I know it's good money but it's really starting to wear me out.

Like Flying?...enjoy the video

2012-01-23T17:01:00.000+02:00

I am not sure this sport is for me. However, it must give a fantastic sense of freedom. The adrenalin must have been pumping around his body.

Local Business Marketing with RevLocal

2012-01-21T21:04:00.000+02:00

The small business owner needs to ensure a strong presence in the world of advertizing. Competitive markets can often swallow up the small business owner and render them invisible amongst the big companies. If finances are spent in the wrong areas when trying to promote a business, it can be money badly spent.

Using a professional company such as RevLocal - a business marketing company with many years of experience and computer know-how-is a wise move. They are a specialist in local business marketing. Small businesses have found a vast improvement when they have used the company.

RevLocal ensures the business online alterations are supported with minimum disruption. They can increase your status within the Google Place page plus Bing local profile. To keep a steady flow of customers it is vital to keep up with local search news.

RevLocal will update the business local SEO by ensuring the local search engine optimization (SEO) runs with current trends. Keywords are updated and maintained enabling customers or clients trying to find a business quickly. Maintaining a swift uploading advertisement or website produces confidence. All changes made are sent back to the business owner for approval. The company uses the most up-to-date methods of communication with updated equipment.

The company places the business profile on multiple on-line directories for maximum visual presence. There are three plans to choose from, a personal agent and evaluation reports within the company packages. A personal agent is an asset who knows all details of your portfolio and is a must-have for owners looking for a way into small business marketing.

Potential customers can search for whatever you offer in their local area and RevLocal have the technology to ensure your small/ mid-size business website sits in a prominent position in a local directory, ideal for when the customer carries out a local search and for fending off local competition.

Ranking #4 in the best Local Search companies 2011 (August), RevLocal were favored for their overall value for money. Their business policy offers quality service at affordable prices for small/medium business owners. They pride themselves on being effective communicators, their successful results speak for themselves.

Books For Your Consideration

2012-01-19T18:33:00.000+02:00

Recently I have found several books over the recent weeks and have downloaded them to my new Kindle. I am not reviewing here, but sharing links to them. They come from various resources, such as Amazon.com or UK or Smashwords.

Joan H Young (Sharkbytes) has several publications out there. One I have waiting to be read is:

It can be purchased HERE.

***

Do you like poetry with a difference? Raw emotion and a little edge to the language?

Check out Jessica Bell's Twisted Velvet Chains...Kindle version or paperback.

***

Empty Chairs by Stacey Danson is a memoir. A heartbreaking story of a young Australian eleven year old girl. The author tells of her life on the streets as a runaway. There is a sequel (Faint Echoes of Laughter) and it explains the ending of the first book, and again takes the reader on a roller-coaster journey.
***

Vigilante by Claude Bouchard. Murder, mystery.

Purchase Here.

Promote Yourself

2012-01-17T19:54:00.000+02:00

Still keeping promoting of my future published works in mind, I found another website that sells personalized promotional products. Browsing through I came across some fantastic products with a difference. Some are the usual type such as; note pads and pens (ideal for book signing), mugs, caps and so on.

BMI calculator
Pedometers
Fun Character Stress Squeezies (see pic left)
Manicure sets
Travel mugs

Stuffed toys (isn't he cute?)

and Party bags

They also sell a vast quantity of items that promote a topic close to my heart:
Breast Cancer.

Something else close to my heart is sweet foods...candy! The company has a large range of corporate gifts and items ideal for wedding favors.

Tomorrow is DH's birthday and I could surprise him with one of these birthday cakes , but that would be mean as they are made of wax, perfect for promotion display.

Always looking out for craft items, I found a selection of ribbons for sale. These will be great for card-making / scrap-booking and can have a logo added. A complete collection for every occasion

With Christmas out of the way, the next thing around the corner is Valentine's Day, so how about an inflatable balloon or two?

All items are affordable and can be supplied in any quantity. If you sign up at the moment there is a mention $50 off of the first order!

Seven Hundred Posts

2012-01-17T17:58:00.003+02:00

The previous post on this blog recorded as number 700. I cannot believe I have written so many posts and people come back for more! The page rank of the blog is climbing and my statistics show the blog is gathering readers from around the world.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Thank you for taking a moment to read my work. Thank you for making it worth my while.

Thank you......

PeachSuite Hotel Suppliers

2012-01-14T16:16:00.000+02:00

Having been married for over 30 years I decided that some of our kitchen and home items need replacing. Some of our saucepans are dangerous with the handles insecure. Our old porcelain slow-cooker has got a chip around the edge and will be used as a planter in the garden. I am keen to replace it with a good quality one as I use it rather a lot.

I have an electric kettle but quite fancy a stainless steel one for my gas hob. Power surges often blow out our electric ones, and I have to replace them. I like this one. I found it on PeachSuite, a site for Hotel supplies and Restaurant supply.

The sell them as individuals. I have mentioned the site to my friend who does outside catering, as the company offers resort supplies and catering supplies. They have a selection of items on their PeachSuite Hospitality Supply page. I came across a vast selection of Corningware baking dishes. I like the range as it is oven to table and looks attractive, yet it is serviceable.

PeachSuite is a family owned business and has been a wholesale distributor and stockist since 1981. They cater for orders large or small, and deliver with quality service.

Win an Ipad with MyMemories!

2012-01-14T12:36:00.001+02:00

My Memories scrapbooking site is changing its facebook page at the end of the month. If you follow this link and like their page, you stand a chance of winning an ipad!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MyMemories/140359372717593

http://www.mymemoriesblog.com/2011/09/so-make-sure-you-check-out-mymemories.html

Don't forget the link in the sidebar for a discount on the software product.

This Made Me Laugh!

2012-01-12T13:53:00.002+02:00

I had to share the email I received today...

To those of us that are willing to laugh at ourselves in the mirror,
sometimes!

The Bathing Suit (by a middle-age woman unknown)

When I was a child in the 1950s, the bathing suit for the mature
figure was-boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as
engineered. They were built to hold back and uplift, and they did a good
job.

Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a
figure carved from a potato chip.

The mature woman has a choice, she can either go up front to the
maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming
away looking like a hippopotamus that escaped from Disney's Fantasia,
or she can wander around every run-of-the-mill department store trying
to make a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of
fluorescent rubber bands.

What choice did I have? I wandered around, made my sensible choice and
entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room. The first
thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch
material. The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe,
by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which gives the
added bonus that if you manage to actually lever yourself into one,
you would be protected from shark attacks. Any shark taking a swipe at
your passing midriff would immediately suffer whiplash.

I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder
strap in place I gasped in horror, my boobs had disappeared!

Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my left armpit. It took a
while to find the other. At last I located it flattened beside my
seventh rib.

The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups. The mature
woman is meant to wear her boobs spread across her chest like a speed
bump. I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take
a full view assessment.

The bathing suit fitted all right, but unfortunately it only fitted
those bits of me willing to stay inside it. The rest of me oozed out
rebelliously from top, bottom and sides. I looked like a lump of
Playdoh wearing undersized cling wrap.

As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the
prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, "Oh,
there you are," she said, admiring the bathing suit.

I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me.
I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of
masking tape, and a floral two-piece that gave the appearance of an
oversized napkin in a serving ring.

I struggled into a pair of leopard-skin bathers with ragged frills and
came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having
a rough day.

I tried on a black number with a midriff and looked like a jellyfish
in mourning.

I tried on a bright pink pair with such a high cut leg I thought I
would have to wax my eyebrows to wear them.

Finally, I found a suit that fitted, it was a two-piece affair with a
shorts-style bottom and a loose blouse-type top. It was cheap,
comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it. My ridiculous search
had a successful outcome, I figured.

When I got it home, I found a label that read, "Material might become
transparent in water."

So, if you happen to be on the beach or near any other body of water
this year and I'm there too, I'll be the one in cut-off jeans and a
T-shirt!

Edinburgh Accommodation: Scotland: UK

2012-01-11T19:13:00.000+02:00

With England in an excited mood about the 2012 Olympics, it might be a good time to look at another member of the United Kingdom-Scotland.
This glorious country has an historical background that fascinates all. Kings and Queens have built castles that still stand are are there to admire today.
Edinburgh castle is one of the most admired.

There are so many attractions in Edinburgh and it is the ideal place to base yourself for a tour of The Highlands. You can take a Witchery Tour and track down the fearless phantoms. Take in the glorious hills and heathers. Visit museums and galleries, go to the theatre or just wander through the old streets of the city.

For accommodation there is a wide selection to choose from. Self-catering apartments, Bed and Breakfast, hotels, cottages, and guest houses. Many of them are close to the city centre, with easy access either by walking, taxi or local bus.

In August 2012 you can experience the delights of The Edinburgh Military Tattoo as they celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.

To find out more about accommodation in Edinburgh visit Scottish Accommodation.

And The Winner Is....

2012-01-09T16:45:00.001+02:00

The winner of the My Memories fantastic software package is.....drumroll....

Congratulations Aynzan! I will contact you on your blog.

Miscellaneous News and Events

2012-01-07T13:03:00.001+02:00

Yesterday saw the launch of a new on-line journal. Vine Leaves Literary Journal. I am proud to say a piece of my work was accepted into the first edition. (Page 45 - Orgasmic Achiever).

My writing blog has been nominated for an award....Top 100 Writer Blogs. I was lucky enough to have my poetry blog selected as a winner in 2010.

The winner of the My Memories Software give away will be announced shortly. How am I going to select the winner?

DH is going to be given the favourite choices that have been sent to me. He is then going to go to the My Memories website and select the one he likes best. This will be matched to the person who sent it into me. They will be the winner!

This is a scrap page I made for a contest My Memories are holding. Click to enlarge and read the words.

What are you doing to change your life in 2012? What are your hopes for the New Year ahead?

Playing With My Memories

2012-01-04T20:25:00.000+02:00

Don't forget to enter to contest in the previous post!

This is a page I made to keep me on the straight and narrow for 2012.
Click to enlarge and read the words I aim to live by!

MyMemories Give Away!

2012-01-02T11:58:00.000+02:00

As you all know I love making scrapbook pages in the digital format. Recently I have reviewed a software package that is so simple to use, I have ditched my other one. The variety of embellishments, background papers and layouts are amazing. The package is full of inspirational features for creating wonderful albums using your photographs. Downloading the my memories suite is quick and simple to do. I know, I have done it.

As a start to 2012 and to get you kicked off into a new hobby, I am thrilled to be able to offer one lucky person the chance to win a MyMemories digital scrapbooking software package worth $40!

The website is easy to navigate and has many scrapbooking kits for sale (some for a $) and there are some fantastic freebies! The team are on hand to help with all enquiries. They hold workshops to help you learn more about the scrapbook software and creating those lovely memory pages.

Below is a sample of a mini-album I made in half an hour. It is of me and my writing environment. (I wish I could share the one I made of Seren enjoying her first Christmas, but as you know I am no longer featuring her here. Believe me when I say the kit I used was fun and made a beautiful album). I am afraid you will have to suffer the serious face of a writer earning her crust.

In order to enter the giveaway you need to carry out three easy steps :

visit www.MyMemories.com and find the name of your favourite digital paper pack or layout.
Follow MyMemories blog http://blog.mymemories.com/ OR Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite OR Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/MyMemories/140359372717593 ( I follow on Facebook and benefit from daily freebies!)
Click the -Like- on the MyMemories Video at Youtube (see below)

Then come back here and leave me your reply in the comment box, and where you have followed My Memories. Leave a link to your blog/website. Somewhere I can reach you should you be the lucky winner!

A reviewer demonstrates how to use the software...

Please note that the programme is NOT slow for me at all. So not sure if things have improved or it was a glitch for the demonstrator.

THAT'S NOT ALL...here is a free $10 gift code for you to use against the My Memories Suite V3

STMMMS27087

If you have a stash of photographs sitting around your computer, why not turn them into fun albums.Print them off as gifts. Make them as simple or as decorative as you wish but have fun making memories!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T12:36:00.000+02:00

Thank you for visiting my humble blog.

I will see you all in

2012

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

Watch out for the free software give away coming soon. Turn your photographs into scrapbook pages. One lucky winner of the complete software package (I have it and it is great!).

Coming Soon...

2011-12-28T15:02:00.000+02:00

Keep an eye out for a give away on this blog. If you love photography and digital scrap-booking then I have a New Year prize event coming up. A fantastic software program for one lucky winner in 2012!

Trade Show Marketing Materials: Get noticed.

2011-12-28T14:55:00.000+02:00

Getting a business or hobby stall noticed can fall into two categories. One is the untidy, uninviting, slapped together one. The other is the stylish, well laid out, 'come and look at me' type.

If the stall is to be a regular placed item then it is wise to make a good investment in marketing materials.

Take a look at various websites available that have everything required for trade show displays. Investing in trade show flooring or logo mats finish off the look. Definitely a great way to show off your business logo. Lightweight, portable displays are very useful.

Co-ordinate a logo canopy or tent -depending on your requirements-these are highly visible as they are high above the heads of a crowd. Choose bright colors and professional artwork that attracts the eye. If you sell teddy bears for example, a printed picture of a cute teddy bear on your various display items will soon draw the customers for a further look.

For more business advertizing of your products, look out for matching accessories, such as tshirts, hats, bags, etc...

Should you require crowd control items around your display, look for sturdy, eye-catching items.

If you want to go big and bold, maybe investing in an inflatable replica is a fun idea.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T11:17:00.001+02:00

My blog is resting from today for the festive weekend. I wish to thank all who visit me during the year, and wish you peace and joy regardless of religion or belief.

Home Shows

2011-12-24T11:14:00.000+02:00

The article written by Alonso Kramer

When I got direct tv I spent a lot of time watching home shows day after day. I wanted to learn basic techniques for stuff like putting in tile and laying down hardwood floors and since I didn’t have anyone in real life to teach me I relied on my TV pals. I think there’s something to be said for being an independent woman and a handy one at that – I’ve got the skills most people work their whole lives to learn and it’s because I put my nose to the grindstone and decided once and for all that I was going to learn something totally outside my box. I think it’s cool that if I buy a house in the future that needs work I can do it myself (well, most of it) and if I have to hire anything out I know what to look for in a contractor now. Being self sufficient is underrated if you ask me so I do what I can to earn my keep.

Enrolled Agent Education and Studies

2011-12-21T12:55:00.000+02:00

Fast Forward Academy is a professional company with a support practice for those wishing to study in a tax career, or to further their education in the field. The company has a website offering a wide range of courses and offers enrolled agent continuing education.

What does an enrolled agent do? An enrolled agent carries a federal license. They have the right to represent the taxpayer regarding federal tax business in any state. They are specialists in their field, whereas an attorney has many cases aside of tax matters. Enrolled agents focus on only one subject; tax.

The Academy offers quality educational courses, such as an enrolled agent ethics course, and all are at affordable prices. 81.0% of their students have taken all three examinations on offer and passed first time. A valuable study guide is sent to the student worldwide, and compliments the on-line courses via the web.They also work with associations, colleges and universities for live classes, should this be your preferred way of learning.

The courses are user friendly and there is an opportunity to 'try before you buy'. Guidelines and support are available on the website. Set study hours and time periods are required and the website gives the student information on all relevant hours to be accrued. All information and examination structures are up to date and in keeping with the latest rule/law changes. All updates are made 1st March each year.

The company offers a pass guarantee and has a 30 day money back policy.

Recycling Rubber

2011-12-20T18:29:00.000+02:00

With variable weather conditions, standard items such as wood and plastic can disintegrate. Recycling rubber tires is an environmentally friendly way of enhancing areas where woods and plastics would normally be used. A company called Rubberecycle are doing just that, they use recycled rubber mulch. It is safe, hard-wearing, and economical.

So many used tires sit and take years to breakdown, even then they do not disintegrate properly. Making them into something useful again is the ideal way to help the environment. Landscaping your garden with the artificial mulch is one way you can help do your bit. Also the mulch reduces weed growth and discourages insects and pests from eating your plants. Rain passes through and the rubber prevents it from evaporating. The cold weather is the death of many garden beds, however, the rubber mulch protects the beds from frost. Best of all it does not blow away in high winds! It is non-toxic and your hands don't get dirty when you handle it.

The company can supply several colours to make features of your garden beds. They have a calculator on their website for you to work out how much you will need per square foot and what the final cost will be.

Rubberecycle prides itself in being the company who supplied the Whitehouse first family with playsafe, rubber mulch.

Their Playsafer Rubber Mulch is a breakthough in playground and landscape ground cover for a playground surface. It is child friendly and aids in their playground safety. The chances of injury after a tumble are greatly reduced. Again the mulch and mats are hard-wearing and therefore economical.

Exercising Resolutions

2011-12-19T17:16:00.000+02:00

Several months ago I embarked on a get-fitter project. I am not a huge fan of exercise but am fully aware of its necessity for a healthy body. Since I have left nursing my weight has increased. I walk four dogs, but am not walking and moving as I did during my career years. With Christmas approaching the tempting foods will be waiting to add their extra calories onto my hips and abdomen. I purchased new trainers and they have the rocking base. I have noticed a difference with my legs and buttocks. And although I have also reduced the size of my hips through walking, my abdomen is still fighting me. Abdominal surgery and three children have taken its toll, but I do need to get it all back into shape.

Being middle-aged and short, carrying abdominal excess is not good for my heart. I eat non-processed foods, and try and limit the size of my portions. However, I feel the cause is not targeting the right muscles with the correct exercise regime. So my New Year's Resolution (Task), is to plan a better exercise program.

I love dancing. I was a member of a dance troupe until the age of 17, and loved every show we performed. During my disco years I danced so much, my table would be full of drinks untouched. Even now a good piece of music will get me out of my seat and bopping away. Using a program such as a dance specific exercise routine is something I am seriously considering. It can be an Extreme Body Workout.

According to my friend, the workouts are intense yet good fun. After a while you forget you are exercising. I used a tv dance disc, but the animations frustrated me a little. I have found one on-line, the website also offers a 90 Day Review with certain options. I need human contact and something that will ensure the correct area of my body is being targeted. Belly dancing is always another option. It is an aerobic workout that will get the cardiovascular system kicked into shape. I can always hope for a beach body!

So there you have it. In 2012 I will be hill walking the dogs and dancing my days away.

This is a guest post provided by Fitness Alliance

New Garden Trellis and Arbor Shopping.

2011-12-16T18:40:00.000+02:00

During recent high winds our thin arbor and garden trellis snapped. The Jasmine and Plumbago went down with them. They are lying in a mound on the floor. The area is looking flat and uninspiring. The plants are now well established and it is a shame they have to sit straddled around a few canes. We are now looking at replacing the trellis and adding two arbors.

They make such a lovely feature and are serviceable. However if we have to keep replacing them, it is not money spent wisely. So we are looking for more substantial ones.

Browsing the Internet I have found that trellises are no longer just criss-cross, straight up and down, boring garden items. They have become decorative features in their own right. White vinyl trellis would look good, but we have to ensure they are stable against strong sunlight and wind.

This one would look good against our cream wall. It is from Trellis Center. I would keep with the arch shape for the arbors. Although there are some decorative, elaborate ones on the website, ours need only be plain. The plants will smother them once again. The vinyl is thick and extremely hard-wearing, ideal for our full-sun garden.