Great Business Idea!

My OH keeps asking me to come up with a great business idea that will be good for both us to do, make enough money to live on and be something pretty enjoyable to boot. Well it came to me earlier today! It's something that I had been thinking of doing a few years ago when I was still in the UK, but wasn't well enough to think it through properly let alone physically do it.

I'm not going to say anymore about it at the moment just that I will need a fluent French speaking partner to help me and a good accountant!

Watch this space.

Post Viral illness ....How it began

As I’m still feeling a bit ‘viral’ today with a wheezy cough I thought it was about time I explained how I ended up in France with a post viral illness.

It was during December 2004 that I contracted a virus, a bit like bronchitis. A few weeks off work should have put me right but I was really busy at work and looking for a promotion and time off work wasn’t on my agenda. In addition it just happened to be one of the busiest periods of the year and I had to organise my son’s birthday party, Christmas presents, Christmas dinner and attend a few Christmas functions etc. I also had to work over Christmas and even though I was feeling pretty rough I didn’t want to call in one of my colleagues off their holiday. It was my turn to work over Christmas and I wasn’t going to do it.

Looking back that was a big mistake. I continued to push myself until the first week of January 2005 when still coughing like a barking dog for near to 4 weeks I ended up triggering a spasm in my neck. So not only was I barking like a dog I also looked Quasimodo whilst doing it. I was exhausted. With tears of frustration I went for my 3rd doctors visit. Each time they had told me that I had no chest infection and I didn’t need antibiotics. But I knew I needed something so I demanded them and eventually they gave in and gave me a short course of antibiotics and told me I needed time off to recuperate. Fine, I do anything to shift it and by the end of January I was walking about without wheezing and coughing. Great, the antibiotics worked. The only trouble was I still felt exhausted so I went back to the doc’s and she told me that it could be at least 6 weeks before I was feeling like my old self.

Ok, no big deal. On the positive side I was able to spend more time with my children and I had more time to help my daughter with her reading and spelling. It’s amazing how that extra bit of time helped her and before I knew it she was reading everything. And the kids loved coming straight home after school rather than going to the childminder’s house. Not that they didn’t like her, but it was a novelty having me at home. I still couldn’t do much without feeling exhausted so although the school was only a few minutes walk away the childminder still walked them home for me. The weekly shopping became a major event. I was exhausted walking around the supermarket, putting the groceries in and out of the trolley, packing them, putting them in the car, taking them out of the car, into the house, out of the bags and into the cupboards.

I can’t remember exactly when it all started to go pear shaped but some strange things were happening to me. For instance, the lights in the supermarket always seemed way to bright and I’d feel wobbly in the aisles, I felt like I had a lead weight on the top of my head and that a vice was squeezing my head together, the muscles in my arms started ‘popping’ up and down, my eyes kept twitching, I lost my concentration and had to read simple text several times before I could get the gist of it, I had no short term memory, I couldn’t get my words out let alone think what I wanted to say….. the list went on and on.

I realised that I had some of the symptoms that Mr P had over 15 years ago when he had ME/CFS. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.)

So what about the exercise DVDs?

Well like I said they are pretty good - but sadly I've got another bug -this time it's 'flu' like and for the last week I've been feeling pretty rough and I'm still barking like a dog.

So I listened closely to the directions given on the DVD's and they both say if you're ill don't exercise. So I haven't.

See, it's not my fault. Maybe next week - that's if I can remember where I put them.

Claire Sweeney and Fern Britton

Although I don't watch English TV anymore two of my favourite day time tv presenters are Claire Sweeney and Fern Britton. Both seem to be 'down to earth' and 'trustworthy'! So I decided to trust them with my body!

Just after the New Year I decided to start my exercise regime for 2007 so I invested in 2 keep fit DVD's. The first one I choose was Every Day Pilates with Fern Britton.

I choose this purely because Fern is a 'normal' woman who hasn't gone out to loose loads of weight and because if she can do it so can I!

The DVD claims:
Pilates has never been so accessible, or so enjoyable, as Lynne Robinson is joined by Fern Britton, the UK’s most popular TV presenter. Lynne has devised three short, balanced workouts for Fern and for you. These can fit into your busy schedule, whether at home or at work, so there are no more excuses! Pilates is a great way to get into shape and stay that way. A smart form of exercise, it uses mind and body to:

• Increase your flexibility


• Tone buttocks, thighs, arms and shoulders


• Achieve a flatter stomach


• Trim your waist


• Improve your posture


• Lower your stress levels


• Improve circulatory, lymphatic and respiratory systems


• Strengthen your immune system

Everyday Pilates is suitable for everyone, regardless of ability level and fitness. Lynne and Fern demonstrate beginner, intermediate and advanced levels for most exercises, so join them for:
An energizing morning workout – to make you feel energized, invigorated and inspired.
A reviving midday workout – toning for legs and arms, perfect to "iron and stretch you out".
A calming evening workout – calming yet challenging workouts to allow the tensions of the day to melt away.
Back to basics – explains the basic principles of Alignment, Breathing and Centering.

The DVD states you must watch it all the way through first, so I did, but I stopped watching what they were doing and I got mesmerised my Fern Britton's grin!



The other DVD is called Claire Sweeney - Perfect Fit With Weight Watchers .

I bought this one because it has an interactive exercise plan that selects the appropriate workout depending on the time you have available, be it ten minutes or an hour. It also includes Weight Watchers nutritional advice that works with the exercise programme.

I really enjoyed this one though like all the other exercise DVD's you have to watch it through first - so I did - and strained a muscle in my neck!

Double Trouble

Last Sunday our new pooch turned up from the rescue centre. She was called Boo, and looked like a cross between a golden labrador and a beagle. You could say that she was a bit overweight though!

Unfortunately Viko didn't give her the welcome she deserved, and so Boo's first impression of him wasn't good and she never gave him a 2nd chance. A woman's prerogative I guess!

A quarter of his size but a personality twice as big as his, she literally bullied him. He tried to play with her but she didn't want to know. She started growling and snapping at him, and over the few days she was with us, the snarling turned into fighting and it got out of hand.

Eventually I had to split them and knowing their relationship was not going to work I sadly had to return Boo to the rescue centre only 3 days after she had arrived. She's a lovely little dog, well behaved, full of personality and a great companion - just not when Viko was around.

So where do we go from here? Well we're going to try again in a few weeks as we do believe that Viko will make friends with the right dog - he just needs to learn that first impressions do count!

Gubb makes List Making a List Makers dream!

I love making lists. I have them all over the place, and I have them for everything. I have a ' general to do list', a ' work to do list', 'jobs to do in the house list' and a 'shopping list'. I also have several other lists, all variations of the above. I have so many lists because I always forget where I've put my lists or I've forgotten that I even wrote them in the first place!

And then I found http://www.gubb.net/! The Ultimate List Maker! You can manage your lists and it’s FREE!

Gubb is incredibly easy to use for both personal and professional lists and has a really nice interface. You can manage any number of lists which you can easily retrieve to edit the content and you can also access your lists by email or Text.

It’s great for starting new projects or even organising an event. Not only can you prioritise your lists you can even share your lists with others so you could assign tasks with due dates.

Mmm there's an idea I could assign DIY tasks to OH!

If you want to try out Gubb you can sign up for your free list maker at http://www.gubb.net/.

Fuel My Blog

If you've got a Blog why not post it on the Great Wall of Blogs at www.fuelmyblog.com .

It's FREE!

Got the bug!

Urghh! That's all I can say about the last few days. I've had a bit of a gastro bug so I've not been too well to say the least!

Strange but Viko, my dog, has had similar symptons. Less said about that the better.

Grout, grout and grout

Don't you just hate grouting?

We've been grouting for 3 days now!

We didn't notice that the French tiles we bought were different to the ones we normally get in the UK with the nice edges on them. These are just cut straight and we been trying to grout as we'd grout if they were the tiles with the edges on. We've tried various grout, various methods and various implements to get a nice finish i.e. daughters Candy Floss maker plastic tool.

At last we have a method so work should get off to a flying start as soon as I get my backside off this chair!

Don't you just hate the word 'grout'?

Friend for the kleptomaniac

Today we decided to make plans to adopt another dog as a friend for 'Viko' our lovable, crazy, mad, unbalanced, possessive, psychotic, kleptomaniac, 2 year old long haired German Shepherd dog.

We're really excited about it and 'the choosen one' should be with us in a few weeks time providing she fits in. She appears to be calm, well balanced, friendly, playful and hopefully doesn't share any of Viko's personality disorders.

Can you see the black mark on his tongue?

That's the result of stealing a lighter that exploded in his mouth. We heard it explode and he didn't even flinch!

Earn Money Blogging with Blogsvertise

I’m always looking at new ways to earn money from anywhere and in my pursuit to find new avenues I came across a site called www.blogsvertise.com who will pay me to review websites/products and give my opinion on my blog. I can review or just discuss the product but the best is that I don’t have to endorse it and I can even complain about it. Sounds good to me, as those that know me know that I like to tell it as it is! So anyway today I decided to join up!

It was easy to register and navigate the site. Once I’ve reviewed or discussed the product, it’s approved and then I’ll get paid 30 days later via PayPal. Before I begin I need to wait to be assigned a task. I need to complete it within a week and include 3 links to the advertisers website. As part of the initial administration task all I have to do is to blog about www.Blogsvertise.com, which will help to advertise them in return. Then they can review and approve my account and I can get earning – hopefully!

As I’m still pretty new to the world of blogging I thought I’d keep an account of how I get on so you can follow me on my new journey. If it’s a load of rubbish I’ll let you know and if it’s all that it says it is I’ll you know that too. So far I’ve only read positive reviews about www.Blogsvertise.com so fingers crossed for yet another business opportunity from home!

(5 links given to www.blogsvertise.com - well I always did believe in going 'above and beyond'!)

Who is David Jenter?

It’s amazing that no matter how much you think you understand someone you can be so wrong!

When we were in Turkey, Fethiye to be precise, we were looking for work and a very friendly Turk told us to go and see David Jenter. Who is David Jenter we asked? He kept saying that David Jenter would help us find work and that he was English. He pointed in the direction of the small port where all the boats were docked, and off we went in search of David Jenter.

In the intense heat we walked the length of the port asking everyone we met along the way if they knew David Jenter. Nobody did.

And then we saw the sign.

‘DIVING CENTER ENQUIRE WITHIN'

French Frustration

I've been trying to sort out our French tax paper work.

Snail Farming in Spain...or France?

Did you ever see a program on C4 about Lee & Cheryl who wanted to move out to Spain and breed snails?

He had a dream to start a snail farm, so they sold up in the UK and went in search of a plot of land in Spain. They continually argued, nearly split up, had money worries, he had back problems and then needed to return to the UK for an operation. I was riveted to the screen although I thought building a snail farm was a hilarious idea.

In fact I thought it was so hilarious that I spent the best part of a few weeks researching it as an idea for a business opportunity in France!

Did you know that France have to import most of their snails because they can’t get enough of them here? There’s money to be made from snails if you know how.

If you’re wondering why we didn’t start a snail farm the answer is that it was far too risky. Although snail farming is not an exact science it’s good to have an agricultural background. Also I wanted to follow the Italian outdoor system and not the French system, which requires heating. The French system is more expensive to set up and the Italian system is riskier due to adverse weather conditions. There are also diseases and pests to consider and French paperwork!

Ohh yes, and the other thing is that I didn’t like the idea of killing the snails!

For information about snails:
http://www.weichtiere.at/english/gastropoda/terrestrial/escargot/cultivation.html

Find out what happened to Lee and Cheryl in an update from Tim their estate agent in Spain.

http://www.villasolutions.net/news/lee-cheryl-snail-farming.htm

Loir in the bag

During a visit to the 'bed' section of a local furniture store I wanted to measure a mattress for size. Imagine my horror when instead of pulling out my tape measure from my handbag I pulled out a rodent that was gripping on to my hand!

I threw it off and it landed on the floor, it looked and me and I looked at it. I don't know who was more stunned. It..or me?! Once I pulled myself together I realised that it wasn't a rat or a mouse as it was far too cute and had a bushy tail - it was a "loir".

Moral of this story is
'Don't leave you’re bag open near an open door, as a passing rodent may want to use it for a nap'!

Have you ever had a close encounter with a 'loir'?

Crime doesn’t pay! Or does it?

My first experience of living abroad was in Crete with my husband, (before we were married), about 12 years ago. I worked for a Timeshare company but it didn’t agree with me and I didn’t agree with it. It was a bizarre lifestyle working with people who were generally either completely mad or emotionally scarred.

And I didn’t like the Kretins much, sorry I meant Cretans. I know I shouldn’t generalise but nearly everyone I came across was either underhanded or not genuine. Of course at first they are, but then you realise they’re just after your money like the local café owner who charged a ridiculous amount extra to put a squirt of cream on a hot chocolate that he offered to give……the overpriced taxi driver who watched as a not very strong female struggled to put cases in the boot and only offered to help at an extortionate charge ….. the rude shop assistants who assumed you didn’t speak Greek & spoke between themselves about you (did they get a shock!).

To sum it all up we decided to leave for Turkey, which we’d visited regularly on holidays, cost of living was a hell of a lot cheaper, where people smiled and every day seemed like an adventure!

However, the night before we left, having handed in my notice and having left on good terms with my boss I found out the office had been robbed of £3,000! My idiot of a boss kept leaving his money in a drawer that everyone knew about. Anyway guess who was arrested by several-armed Greek policeman, for theft, when she boarded the boat for Turkey! I wasn’t a happy bunny at all!

Did I do the crime?
Leave me a comment and tell me if you think I did!