Bra's, Pills and Steve

Well it's another week, or THE week if you're a follower of the Scottish Referendum.  Just to let folk know that even though I'm fed up with all the bickering I will be voting.  Not saying which way as don't want this to become another bickerfest.  (ooh managed to get bicker in twice in the first paragraph.)


As I was saying in the last blog about needing new clothes, I've had occasion to buy a new white bra as my last one gave up it's wires.  I did patch it a few times but it's been well used so time for a new one, well new two actually as they were on offer.  I tend to buy from the same company as I mainly wear cotton bras as they are better for the psoriasis.  I received them earlier this week and had to get Mr. M to help me on for the first try.  I have tried going a back size up but that is just that bit too loose for me.  It would be great if the undergarment industry, well fashion industry in general, could agree to stick to certain measurements for sizes.  Anyway back to the bra thing.  Did people know that you are only supposed to be able to fit two fingers under your back bra strap?  It is supposed to be that tight as apparently that is where the support comes from not from the shoulder straps.


Had my contraceptive Pill check yesterday and got a bit of a scare (or gluff as we say up here) as my BP had gone up to 140/82 and it's usually around 120/82.  So going back in a months time to get it measured again.  I'm trying to not get stressed about being stressed and keep on going losing the weight.  Every time I go for my check up I keep getting suggested to think about coils or implants.  The biggest reason for me taking the pill I'm on is that I might have Endometriosis but because I've had a blood clot they don't want to do an exploratory op in case I get another one.  I'm really happy with Noriday as I hardly get periods and it doesn't effect my mental health.  I did try Cerazette a year ago but that did have disastrous consequences and resulted in me spiralling, scarily quickly, downwards depression and anxiety wise.  I'm still sticking to my guns on keeping with Noriday but think one day I will have to change and it won't be as effective.


Mr M. and co have been busy up at the croft getting the roof of the old house, now barn, watertight for winter.  They have succeeded very well.  We've also had the first of our potatoes that we planted this year.  Being big headed they were delicious.  We planted Romano this year, good flavour, more on the floury side than the waxy side.  Might plant them next year since we seem to have a good crop of them but also thinking of being adventurous and trying another variety.


What's happening with Steve?  I hear you ask.  Well since the last blog Steve has multiplied, divided and multiplied again.  I did manage to make a Spelt and Rye loaf.  I wasn't able to do what I usually do and finish it off in a loaf tin in the oven so the breadmaker did all the work this time and this was the result:

It tasted good but was a bit on the "wet" side so will need to tweak the recipe a bit.  I've since learned that if you are using Spelt flour you need a bit less water in it.  Will keep you updated with the further adventures of Steve.  It is so easy to make and keep a Sourdough Starter, whatever the flour.  If you feel like, it start one off and let me know how it goes.

Off and On

As with the rest of my life this blog is going to happen when I'm able for it, so apologies for the amount of time in between blogs.


I've been losing a bit of weight recently and there comes a time when you have to buy new clothes, recently it's been knickers.  Now there are all sorts of knickers on the market with some, such as the C-String, you do have to wonder a) who invented it? and b) who was their target audience?   I've been pondering which knickers to buy first, your ordinary everyday ones or some nice lingerie ones?  It has only been in the last couple of years that I've appreciated the difference between underwear and lingerie and I have to admit that putting on a nice pair does make me feel somewhat happier with the day.  (Am I the only person that feels this with lingerie?)  Thinking about this has made me think in the wider context of things that make me feel happier and after having counselling a couple of years ago doing more things for me.  I'm not (currently, although I'm hopeful of the future) able do things like disappearing up a hill and tramping about there for most of the day so it's taken a long time to figure out what I does make me happy.  During this time although I've realised what things make me happy doesn't mean I've always been good at getting them into my routine especially if they are high on the energy scale for me but I'm determined to do more happy things for me.  I would really recommend everyone really having a think about what things actually make you happy as opposed to what you think makes you happy.  Ooh may have gone a bit too deep there so on to.......



Steve!  Steve? I hear you ask, who is Steve?  Well folks reading my Facebook page last week will already know that Steve is my Spelt Sourdough Starter.  I'm now on to Steve mark 312 because of my bad memory and forgetting to feed him.  To remedy this I've had to set task alarms on my phone to feed him, he's very healthy and now living in the fridge.  Had a spooky time with Steve the other day.  I went into the cupboard to feed him and found that the lid had been taken off and placed very neatly upside down on the jar.  I asked Mr M why he'd taken the lid off and he said he hadn't.  I wondered if the fermentation could have taken the lid off but it's a tight lid (and I've had problems getting it off) and I'm pretty certain it would've fallen to the floor as it was on edge of shelf, so who knows?  I've found that Spelt flour is really good for a Sourdough starter and I'm hopeful of doing a Spelt and Rye loaf in the next week or so.  I have a bread machine that helps me but I tend to use the dough setting, prove it in a loaf tin then bake it in oven rather than do it all in the bread machine.



I've been mainly loving the weather that we've been having in Shetland.  It's been so nice to have a good summer after the fog laden one of last year.  I did manage to burn myself at the Bressay Sports Day I always put sunscreen on being of the red hair and pale skin variety but on this day I didn't and suffered the consequences.  I'm now being super vigilant but also allowing a bit of sun on me before I put it on as sun is good for my psoriasis.  I've also been keeping an eye out on the Icelandic Volcano and wondering if Silvio Berlesconi will turn up ;)



Will type soon, take care!!