New Slippers with Lift

I've just bought these new slippers, which have the toes set higher than the heel.  The idea is that they stretch and exercise your leg muscles.  High heels shorten the tendons at the back of the ankles and sitting down at desks all the time adds to the effect.

Drainflex Sandal from Daxon catalogue online - no. 279.3522

I have often wanted to stretch my feet so that the toes are held upwards.  I don't do it for long, as I am notoriously lazy and any exercise is like hard work man.

Now with my new space-agie looking slippers I get to exercise without trying!  How good is that eh?

They are a bit expensive at £28.00, but these are no ordinary slippers/sandals.

As I've only just started using them, I will see whether I get fed up of the unusual feeling.  The insoles also have little bumps so that they massage your soles at the same time.  This feels strange and hurts a bit.  I am hoping that this is temporary and that it is because I have tension in those parts.  I have trained in reflexology, so understand how tension in the feet affects the rest of the body.  I am hoping that after a while I will notice some benefits and be able to report back to you.  They sound good in theory and feel OK if not odd in practice.  I'll let you know.

If you get yourself some, please let Daxon know how you found out about them.  (No I'm not on the books), and let me know what you think.

I would not recommend going outside in these slippers or sandals as they are called.  I think it might be a bit dangerous and you could fall over easily.  Anyway, around the house is just enough for a daily workout, don't you think?

East Cheshire Hospice Midnight Walk 2009

I did the East Cheshire Hospice 10k Midnight Walk on Saturday night, well, Sunday morning actually. I did the walk last year with my then new friend. This year I procastinated that much about contacting her that she did not join me this year. I left it too late!

Fortunately for me I joined a colleague and her friends. They dressed as fairies and I went as a walker, in my anorak! We did it in 3 hours and 24 minutes. Which was longer than last year. We were held up by the shear numbers of walkers (over 1,000) crossing roads, climbing stiles, walking up narrow passages and down dark bumpy footpaths; accross fields and through housing estates.

I have raised £100 so far. My target is £150. I have an account on www.justgiving.com if you would like to contribute before 20th October that would be awsome! I have registered with the name Dorothy's Page.

Clearing My Clutter 22

The energy is flowing. After starting on the neighbourhood, one of my neighbours has been busy. I noticed today that someone has continued where I left off last time, when I cleaned up part of our garage area. This is great! I was planning in my head to do a little more on my return from shopping, but as I went out to my car I noticed that the Ivy I mentioned in my last post, has been chopped. Also, some of the weeds in the pavement blocks have been removed. While there are still some weeds knocking about and a number of loose leaves blowing in the breeze, it looks a lot better. I will go out and brush up a little tomorrow, and attack more weeds.

Instead of doing more outside, I decided to do a bit of cutting back in my own back garden again. I have filled our green wheelie bin with shrubbery stuff. Wait till my DH notices. He will be glad I have done some garden work, but maybe a bit miffed that I have filled the bin and he will have nowhere to put his grass cutting later in the week. Ah well, you can't have it all ways.

Clearing My Clutter 21

Started on the Neighbourhood.

After jet washing the patio, I did not get round to doing the back path. However, I did start on the garage parking area around the corner. I got out my trusty hoe and big brush. The area is made up of paving bricks and has become quite a mess. Moss has got in to all the gaps between the bricks, and soil, which the ants keep bringing to the surface, has provided good anchor for seedlings and weeds. There are even Ash tree saplings growing, (likely from the 100 year old tree in my back garden).

It was gone 2pm, so late enough on a Sunday to make some noise, I think! So, a hoeing I went. Quite enjoyable to be uplifting the mossy growth and dislodging the weeds. I brushed up the debris and tossed it into the neighbours' green bins. I only managed to do approx a 12 foot wide strip about 3 car lengths across, but it is enough for now and took me about half an hour. Not much time at all. I'll have another go another day. Anyway, who knows, maybe some neighbours will have a bash, like the people at the back with the new fencing, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine. I am pleased with the results so far and have come in feeling physically wrecked, but quite pleased with myself. OH! Please... allow me to pat myself on the back. It spurs me on to do more.

So that's a bit more clutter cleared, I'm sure it will help again, feng shui wise. This area is connected with my career and wealth.

Clearing My Clutter 20

Not so much clutter, as yucker!

I Jet washed my patio and garden path today. It was getting quite yucky and slippery. It took me 3 hours with a quick coffee break, provided by my DH. I could have done with a comfort break too, but that would have meant stripping off my water proofs and wellies. Should have got a photo for you, but you'll have to take my word for it. I was covered in splashes of muck all over my face and specs. I felt like Margo out of 'The Good Life', in my yellow plastic pants and top. I now feel a great sense of achievement. This will hopefully lead on to my jet washing the passage from the back garden round to the front and will help Feng Shui wise in eliminating waste stuff from my life.

My DH also cleared some clutter today. He bought some new garden furniture last week and broke the old bench up, then took it to the tip. The next thing to tackle before summer is gone completely, (not that we've had much), is the over-growth of all the shrubbery. My DH has been doing the gardening tasks these past few years. I used to do it all the time, but found my working life so full, that I've did not seem to have enough time and energy left for the garden. I am now getting more involved again. We have a Mahonia that has turned into a prickly monster. Not looking forward to that one!

Aqua Afghan

This is a continuous granny square. I used arran wool, which is a bit corse, but looks nice and will keep someone's knees warm. Just the right size for wheelchair travel, or as a lap blanket. This method of crochet of continously crochetting around the square if not as effective as my usual little squares stitched together. It is quicker to produce, but does not lay flat unless on the carpet, like in the above photo. It is my first one in this style and I am thinking about trying it again and aiming to reduce the rippled effect. It looks quite good here though and will be great as a warmer. It is awaiting a buyer in our Art & Craft department. Sorry if anyone reading this is interested as up to now we do not have online selling. If however, you are interested, you could leave me a comment.

Crochet Blanket 4

The buyer of my brown afghan has reported that they are enjoying it. She was going to give it as a gift, but has decided to keep it. Her husband does not understand. I can just see her in front of the TV on a cold winter's evening. Wrapped up nice and snug. I bet he even asks to join her! Maybe she'll be back for another.

Crocheted Blanket 4 - Afghan in Browns

This Afghan has been made from oddments of knitting yarns in varieties of brown. 100 squares and approximately 100 hours. I like the contrast of shades. It is big enough to use as a lap blanket or a small throw on the back of a settee.


Wow. This blanket has just sold for our Art & Craft Stall. The buyer will be paying £12.00 at the end of the week. I know if you go by the hours worked it is a grose underpayment, but you can't charge high prices; people won't buy. I'm glad it's going to someone who appreciates how long it took and the work that went into it.

Clearing My Clutter 19

You'll never guess what has happened. After clearing away the clutter from the side of my shed and cutting back my neighbours ivy; my neighbour has replaced the fence panels that divide our gardens and taken down all the ivy to boot!!! WOW, I would not have thought that the Feng Shui effect would stretch to this. Whoopeeee!

OK OK so I may be getting a little carried away here, but it's so good to see the ripple effect in practice. As Karen Kingston has said in her book 'Clear Your Clutter' - that when you start clearing clutter, those around you miraculously do so too.

Clearing My Clutter 18

Today was clearing the side of the shed day. Well; most of it anyway. I cleared a load of rubbish, which went to the tip with the help of my DH (Dear Husband). Just some gravel stones to clear, which can easily wait for another day. The plan is to have a good space to store my wheel barrow, which has been inaccessible on the other side of the shed, where I had made an area for composting. The trees that screen off this area have grown so big, that it is now inconvenient to access. I like the trees so the area will be out of bounds, and I plan to keep it clear of rubbish, so that come the day when the trees have had their time I will be able to reclaim the space.

I have also cut out some of my neighbours Ivy, which was growing through and over the fence and blocking my exit route through the back garden gate and down the passageway. This will help in Feng Shui terms; with the flow of chi and releasing of waist products from my life.

It feels really good each time I clear some clutter. I feel refreshed and energised to do some more. The small sense of achievement helps me to continue, even though I rest in between activities.