Me with my Picasso eyes! In the Picasso museum in Malaga last week, well this week past I mean....

Two tempory exhibitions there at the moment, Picasso at work: Through the lens of David Douglas Duncan, and Cartoons on the Front Line.

Both extra exhibitions well worth seeing, the whole thing was much better this visit, I feel like I have said all this before? But have checked back and didn't Blog last week about the visit, bit strange, maybe where I have Tweeted? or Facebook'ed, who knows! Maybe I am just feeling strange!

The internet is going slow this afternoon, which is very frustrating!

At least the weather is better today, well, I say better, its been cloudy and sunny both, wonderful breeze, the temperature in side has come down to 22, which is much better, more liveable...

Four books on kindle now....

I see it says available in UK only, but the're available worldwide on Amazon.com

Ok, Cannot cope with this go slow on here this evening now, so, its adios amigos, before I throw this thing!

TTFN
Marian

Last few photos from this years Malaga Feria.... above balloons!!! As you can see, a small person holding them from below, its a wonder he didn't get pulled up into the air... with so much hot air above him!!!!

This above is a small chapel I think, right on the port... its surrounded by the new 'soon to be' shops bars restaurants... looking sad, un-wanted and awkward there!

When we got there this area was almost empty, from above, fine streams of cool refreshing air were being sprayed out of the tubing... wet, cold spray, nice, no actually it was! In this heat!

But later, when we were passing back the whole area was heaving with people, eating, dancing, dancing and eating! Oh and drinking, lots!!

I had to include another photo of this amazing character... the 'drunk' doesn't he look like he is sitting down on something? Believe you me, nothing is there, just his fantastic sense of balance!


This is one of the palaces... yes, yes, I should know which one, I don't! Sorry amigos!

Now, I have to mention something that has been driving me crazy, or I shall explode, and make a helluva mess all over the sofa that I now sit upon! A friend of mine, has been asked to send, to England, a 2 into 3 pin plug converter, Visitor to UK Travel Adaptor .... to enable a Spanish cable to be used in an English wall socket.... Obviously I said, "well, yes ok.... but so much easier to just buy one there".... And so for anyone Google'ing this item.... the link above will take you directly to one such thing, in fact 3 for the price of two just now you lucky people over in Blighty! They can also be bought in John Lewis, Debenhams, Smiths... etcetera, etcetera.... if you cannot manage to even get to a shop to look they're on line even cheaper, with free delivery!!!

Humph!

TTFN
Marian

Malaga 2011

Malaga feria week still here on my Blog today.... above, where these huge flowers were coming out from... a small building, the smoke smelt of beer... the cabin beneath, was advertising San Miguel.... so maybe it was beer brewing!!!!

A ferry pulling out of the harbour... mmmm, not a great photo, sorry amigos, it is what it is!
A ferry pulling out of the harbour!!!!

But above the Adventure of The Sea, a royal Carribean liner.... Huge with a capitol 'H'.... the gangway with people boarding, how awful!!!

Stuck out on the seas in this... beauty, I had never fancied a cruise, but the last couple of years, I have thought, yes, I could do that now! Must be my age!


I quite like the photo above, on the right, the ship, on the left the reflection!


Y el final... well for today, some more massive flowers, these are about 20 foot high, hard to show their size on here, well I tried!

TTFN
Marian

We went to Malaga on Saturday, not that you would have noticed from Saturdays Blog entry? Strange I just wrote a purloined poem.. Still who knows where my head was, even I don't know!!!

So Saturday, on the bus and to Malaga City, the feria had started the evening before with an opening at the fairground, and this day was the first in the city centre, with loads of stuff going on....

On C/Larios the main street, lots of celebrations... the street is always covered with sun screens from July through to September, just the extra bits and pieces for the next two weeks...


Above a Mom and daughter looking lovely in matching dresses, saw lots of this idea....

When we arrived we first went to have a look around the what's not so now new railway station! Estación María Zambrano, Its amazing! So many shops, restaurants etc, and the entrance to the tracks themselves looks like an airport terminal, with the X-ray machine for bags to go through before getting through, there were loads of people waiting for friends/family at the two arrivals exits.... Made me want to jump on a train to Barcelona or Madrid immediately!

Just read this link before from the stations site about an line that is no more, shame...Malaga to Coín train!


Above some revellers, pausing between songs for a photo shoot!

After the railway station we headed off towards the centre, stopping for coffee and a magdalena, [cake]... then it was onwards and further in!


Couldn't resist this pic above when the opportunity came to my notice! Below everything was mayhem, we were caught up in a huge amount of people rushing about like ants, swarming this way and that, I looked up at the manikins in store window, I was probably the only person who even noticed them watching us....!!!

This amazing chap above, more pics of him tomorrow, there were many many 'live' statues in the street, most of them very good, painted silver, gold, bronze, or dressed in many guises and poses... but this 'drunk' was simply the best! He appeared to be sitting down, as you can see, but he is sitting on nothing, just using fantastic balance and legs muscles of steel! When anyone popped some money into that box, he kind of unbent himself to stand, and bow, in a drunken manner and offer his bottle to the money giver! He had crowds round him, every time we passed him!

After the first walk up c/larios [and back], we thought we would go to the port and see if any ships were in, one was, Adventure of the Sea, a massive liner, was just boarding... without me!!! i took loads of photos... tomorrow for those too!

We had a coffee in a bar in the port before we did the 45 minute walk to where the ship was harboured, there was also a German warship nearby, they were loading up with food, water and one or two beer barrels! A small group of fellers were behind a truck having a sneaky smoke and a couple were behind another truck doing the same thing, couple as in man and woman I mean!

We stood there awhile watching people boarding and people waving them off, prematurely as the shop wasn't even moving!!! Then a ferry headed for the islands was off on its journey, not sure where, either Palma or Tenerife, both were written on the side, both in very different directions!

Then it was the long walk back... we sat for a while in the park near the harbour, we had food with us, and water! [much needed, water], then back into the centre again.... I was so completely shattered by then, I don't quite know how I was even managing to walk... just my mind keeping me moving I think! Anyway, after a walk to the main square we left down a side street, crossed the river, and back to the bus station, where I did collapse, with a cup of coffee!

Not long to wait for our bus, and the wonderful air con on board...

TTFN
Marian

from the Sufi master Hafiz :

Light Will someday split you open
Even if your life is now a cage.

Little by little, You will turn into stars.
Little by little, You will turn into
The whole sweet, amorous Universe.

Love will surely burst you wide open
Into an unfettered, booming new galaxy.

You will become so free
In a wonderful, secret
And pure Love That flows
From a conscious, One-pointed, Infinite Light.

Even then, my dear, The Beloved will have fulfilled
Just a fraction, Just a fraction!
Of a promise He wrote upon your heart.

For a divine seed, the crown of destiny,
Is hidden and sown on an ancient, fertile plain
You hold the title to.

O look again within yourself,
For I know you were once the elegant host
To all the marvels in creation.

When your soul begins
To ever bloom and laugh
And spin in Eternal Ecstasy-

O little by little, You will turn into God.

Translated by Dan Ladinsky

c/o Blooming Humans.com

TTFN
Marian

Unbelievable riots mostly in London over last few evenings, others in Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol, they are starting again already this evening now also in Manchester Wolverhampton and Nottingham, 16,000 police deployed in London alone tonight... Its looks like a war zone, gratuitous acts of robbery, violence, arson, thuggery... a poor man bleeding on the pavement was helped up from the path, then his saviours turned into thieves and stole everything from his back pack!

Most of the shops closed today at 3pm... Now there will be more loss of earnings, to add to the ruined businesses of the last few nights and homes, more unemployment and more homelessness.

Below is my planned Blog for today, but not sure if it seems appropriate after the above mindless actions going on right now....

But, here it is.....

Firstly, a photo of a bad accident in the street outside, four x four, off the road and into the piles of rubbish in the street waiting for collection!


Was anyone hurt? Don't know the windscreen looks full of bins....

Before the next photo of the above incident, didn't do much over the weekend, so little infact I got a headache! To much sitting down and doing nothing me thinks! Because Monday, after only a few hours of walking and moving about a bit, the headache went!

I didn't feel I should take another pain killer so just had to put up with the head pain, on top of all the rest, going to see the doctor, now up on the top of the town, must make the climb and just go and get an appointment, need something stronger now!

The medical centre was down on the high street, nice and local for everyone, of any age or strength of leg! Central in the town, and people could be helped up the steps and/or walked back to their apartments by various family and friends, now, up there at the top of the mountain [it feels], its not a walk most of them can now do, or me for that matter, I will have to zig zag my way there!

Not tomorrow, tomorrow we have a new boiler arriving! The last has, after six years of hanging on by a thread, literally, given up! The only way to get hot water is by, sorry was by, not doing now before anyone has a go.... turning on the gas, turning on the hot water tap, and rushing back to the boiler and igniting the many many flames that alight when the hot water is turned on, because the one pilot light, isn't working! And of course because such a huge amount of gas comes out of so many jets there is a bit of a bang!

Tomorrow, hot water, hot shower, hopefully! Its done well, like the washing machine, that didn't work for about 6 months last year, after the heavy rain from the winter before last, and then, suddenly is was ok again! More or less?????

Today went to look for a lawyer, he, they, were in offices in La Trocha, and said they were moving over the road, so, we checked out 'over the road' nowt, by the side of La Trocha, nope! Went inside to read what notice they had left on their door of their old premises.... and yes it says over the road, but not until October!!!! Mmmmm!

Ok, depressed by too much Sky news and rioting.... here is the other photo of the car crash on my street the other day.... the pulled back version! No zoom folks!



What? You can't see it? There's the four x four, up against the rubbish, just like in the first photo amigos! Where's the kid with the remote control though!!!

TTFN
Marian

I think today's post will begin today and carry on tomorrow, I haven't posted since, some time, and the last dew days, well all week, not felt up to talking much, I haven't even had this on for longer than an hour at the most I think...

Had some either bad reaction to all the pain killers I have been taking or just plain poorly, full stop!

Yesterday all I had in my head were blank empty spaces, and today I awoke with an epiphany! I know! me! But now should I begin with it? Or close with it? Yess the latter just to keep you with me, because this is going to be a long one, and however heavy your eyes get, however dry your mouth..... get a coffee now!... I will keep you hanging on today... or will that be tomorrow when I finish this? And if I keep talking this non sense you'll hang up now!

Where shall I begin this spilling out of words I have today... to my notes, [mental], the notes NOT ME!

A tv program today, they sent a dog to a sanctuary when his owner had died.... and the woman said she wanted to go too! I remember when Mom's dog went to a kennels, then she was adopted by a wonderful family in Beaconsfield, chaffeur, cook, house keeper, the dogs had they're own room, I remember saying did they want an new daughter too!!!!

Which leads me to earlier today, we were talking about times in our lives that were significant in our future, or pointed us in certain directions, for instance when I was 15[while ago!], and walking through Tring with a friend, she stopped to speak to someone she knew, introduced me.... and by the following Monday I was starting my first job that led from that conversation!!!! Thank goodness, because I didn't have a clue what I would do for a job!

And how at one point my life led me to Aylesbury... which led to my job in Mercedes and all the wonderful friends I met there, who are still my wonderful friends... It led to Barry getting a job where he did, although, as he is still doing the same thing, albeit somewhere else, and may not thank me for it? And Tony went to a certain training centre, which led to his first job, and the people he met there, you know who you are... So if I hadn't followed that road as I did, none of the above would have followed....

I was always meant to be here in Alhaurín, I had house hunted here a long time ago, then it didn't happen, got divorced instead! Then Mom and I house hunted here... but didn't go ahead with the move to Spain, then a few months later did, and moved to Fuengirola on the coast. Now, here we are, in Alhaurín after all! I was always meant to know the friends I know here, in this town...

And then there is the weird stuff, like when I was visiting my brother in California, we were in San Francisco, just for two days, and on the tram we passed someone I thought I knew, and at the turn-around he was there again, I went up to him, [well why not?] and he said, hey Marian! what you doing here!!! and finally? [for now] when I was on the course at Santa Maria, never been there before, on a day I wouldn't normally be on the golf courses, four guys walked up onto the tee, I recognised one, and turned out it was someone I had worked for 30 years before!

Strange but true...

Today been trying to work out why so many blank pages on the Kindle books we have been publishing, no answers yet! Three books on Kindle, and all with blank pages, they're not there during downloading, or in the document itself, but most certainly there on the Kindle! ARH!!

Its hot heat now, sweaty!! There it is, its sweaty weather now! I think this may have been making me feel worse, I'm getting hot without with weather! That's something to do with my heart, I got a letter, at last from the hospital, explaining everything, well not everything, just the problems I have actually!!!

And before I totally bore you with all the words this little bit below is part of the description of some of it...

"The Haversian Canals are a network of minute canals, which traverse the solid substance of bones and proceed from the central cavity. They convey nutrient vessels to all parts."

Sounds like a snippet from a wonderful story about middle England in the late century!

And me.. the results! The primary problem is, are, no is a [MVP] Mitral Valve Prolapse with secondary [PSVT] Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (which is an abnormal conduction of electricity in particular areas of the heart).

The spinal cysts are in the sacral nerve root S2 with secondary radicular cysts...

End!

Well I didn't go on as much as I thought I would, did I? Did I? hey wakey wakey!!

Oh the epiphany, well you know the old "which came first the chicken or the egg?" Why didn't I think of this before, like when I was a child, a chicken didn't just happen in the first place did it! They evolved like we did, so the chicken came from another type of bird, some prehistoric animal that shrank down to size!

For goodness sake, there is the answer!!!!

TTFN
Marian

Silly me, forgot to post a link to the book!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-to-draw-Cartoons-ebook/dp/B005E0AHR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1311505841&sr=1-1

This morning we went up the road to a local Bazaar, got a few bits and pieces, its so easy to just grab everything in these shops! Always so many little bits and pieces you never knew you wanted or even needed! Like today, a plug... a plug that goes directly into an electric socket that has a fitment for a light bulb! WOW! Got home plugged it it, screwed in the light bulb, and it has a switch... switched it on and ba boom... light! I am just so easily please!

From there we went to a bar just along the road from there... The place was full of foreigners! Only foreignness! Not a Spanish person in sight except the bar man! We had a couple of coffees and a bocadillo each, the coffee was nasty and the bocadillo too big for me, our fault that bit of course, I should have had only a pitufo [small one], then he charged us 8€... sounds like tourist prices to me...



Can't wait for tomorrow to get another book onto Kindle, I know first I have to scan/cut/fix then move to file, where I may have to continue to fix to fit, then upload.... but its so exciting, and feels so much like work, which I do miss, the other evening when I had completed only some of the above job on the first book I kept thinking I had forgotten something, somewhere, I think it was just that I had left the job unfinished!



Two terrible things have taken place since my last Blog, the Terror attack in Norway, and yesterday Amy Winehouse. The most up to date news is the man in Norway did not do this alone, although this he denies vehemently ... If only one man can kill this many people, imagine what 10 men could do... with the thoughts he had...

... And Amy Winehouse, what a terrible loss, not just to her family but to the world of music, I know not everyone liked/understood her, but, her voice is amazing, unique... and these days these unique voices are few and far between.... Somebody on Twitter mentioned the 27 club, and now Amy Winehouse will be added to this remarkable list....

And today as you must have guessed.... some random photos I took when Mom and I were at the London Eye...


TTFN
Marian

I have been a very busy bee today! Finished putting file and up loading on Kindle the above book for Peter Maddocks.

Can't wait to see how its come out, have to wait about 24hrs I think, then will check it out! Have just looked at someone else's book, similar!!! And hope ours has come out well also! Not the same is it, normally, on Kindle, the books are all writing, but an 'How to do........' in drawing is completely different!

This morning I noticed a man go to pick up a paper from an outdoor rack... The papers were in English, he took one, looked at it, threw it back down and walked off in a huff! I wonder what went through his mind? Foreign language papers for free in his country? Where's mine in my country? I hasten to add it was a Spanish shop, sort of... Dunnes.... I think its Spanish owned now is it? At least this part of it.

Did I tell you about a hole in the wall opposite the house? Someone, took to picking at some layers of paint the other week, every time he comes past probably taking some more! Last evening Pip started barking and I raised the persiana to see why, two kids were pulling great chunks out of the wall, they ran when they heard the blind going up, but too late... I see daylight now from our side of the wall through to the waste land beyond!

Our mail box fell off the other day! The mail man can be very heavy handed! Because its not the huge quantities of mail we get forsure! More junk than mail maybe? Anyway, I had left it perched on the windowsill, but yesterday I got the drill out and fixed it! Didn't want to drill in too deep in case I hit electricity, the meter is above it, as it happens... So its back up, at a slightly dodgy angle, got a bit of a tilt going on, but never mind it'll do...

I am getting used to the pain killers I think, felt a bit head achy to begin with, but ok now, as in no head ache! The pain? Well I think maybe just the edge off it, but so subtle I can't be sure, especially as I am still doing all the normal things that still hurt!

I wish I had one of those miniature cameras on me, at all times... at the hospital the other morning, the smallest praying mantis was on the side of the car by the door mirror, he was only about two inches long... I shooed it off before it got to go on a journey back to Alhaurín... then yesterday morning Pippa was annoying a bee caught on a bit of fluff on the terrace, I picked up the fluff, and helped the beautiful bumble bee off...

"It's good to dream, better to live, but when you live out your dreams you know that you have accomplished something"

TTFN
Marian

Another birthday come and gone, and look I came through the other end... I know the problem now, after all this time, I always have huge expectations for my birthdays, and Christmas too I suppose... There has been occasion where I had promised myself something I wanted to do on my birthday, then outside influences have prevented my plans, one of which a couple of years back I had planned ten year before!

So I make my expectations very high, then... bam, reality cannot complete and I am left feeling down hearted I suppose... I, maybe, delved a little bit too deep into this thought over the weekend, and wondered where these high expectations come from, and I wonder if its from when I was little and I always hoped to hear from my Dad, a card, a visit [highly unlikely, considering we moved to a different country], when he died I was ten, but maybe I have been left with that feeling of hope on these two days... Who knows, maybe I am just doing what everyone does, and am analysing far too much over nothing much!

We went down to town on my birthday, started the day with a plate of churros and una taza de chocolate, very nice, sitting in the sun and eating these lovely things...

Then it was back home and just relaxed really the rest of the day...

Ok hospital appointment last evening for results of Doppler scan... I have a heart defect, I have to go back and make an appointment to see a cardiologist and I think that is for meds, to take, forever!!!! He told me to go back on the blood pressure meds, and to take for the pain of the effect of the cysts twice a day a mix of two different pain killers, both strong, and one of which usually gives me a headache! So fun eh!

I tried to find out more about these spinal cysts, he[the doctor], says I have some, a few, they need to be operated on to remove, and I have to see someone about that, I am to expect letters through the post about both things, I think!

That's me for today, tired and hot, well actually, strangely cool and clammy for some reason! Maybe I better open the persianas and let some sun as it starts to set....

TTFN
Marian

My Saints day today, well my middle name that is! I should be pushing the boat out tonight down on the coast..

Name: SANTA CARMEN SANTA CARMEN Nombre en: Name: FEMENINO FEMALE
Fecha onomástica de esta santa : Date of this holy name day: 16 de julio July 16
Explicación del nombre CARMEN. CARMEN explanation of the name. ¿ Qúe significa CARMEN ? What does CARMEN? : :
Hebreo. Hebrew. Nombre hebreo que significa "Aquella que cultiva el campo". Hebrew name meaning "those who cultivate the field." Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Patrona de los marineros. Our Lady of Carmen, patron saint of sailors. Variantes: Canita, Carmela, Carmencita, Carmina, Carmiña, Carmela, Carmín, ... Variations: Canita, Carmela, Carmencita, Carmina, Carmina, Carmela, Carmine ...
Esta santa celebra su onomástica el 16 de julio This holy place his name day on July 16

This morning we walked down to the local shops, having a coffee in a nearby bar... hiding under a parasol, I wheeled the trolley down, but not back! Poor Franco not very macho, but I couldn't pull it!!

A man nearly got run over while we were having a coffee, his fault, he just crossed the road without looking, then wondered why the man in the van didn't stop??? But no injuries, so when crossing back, he neither looked left or right, or even bothered to use the crossing that time!

Just eaten tuna pasta bake thingy, not feeling very well, always makes me feel slightly queasy...

Struggling to keep my head above water today, last birthday weekend was bad, this is even worse! At least last year we managed to get away both days, no long lingering nothing days, out from dawn till dusk; but not this year, no wheels, no travel! Lots of time to think instead, never a good thing...

[trying not to put exclamation marks everywhere today] ha, nearly put one there then too, and again....

Ok, short today, going to try to lose myself in this wondrous www of ours, just read that peoples memories are getting worse, because we know everything we need to remember is on/in here... that's true I suppose...

TTFN
Marian

Seems to be my 800'th Blog entry on Blogspot.com today!

I should make this a momentous brilliant extravagant post shouldn't I?

I may let you down... down being the word... I am happy, very happy 23 hours of the day, but then that other hour? Not in one piece, broken down in minutes here and there, a sudden pause in life or breath, and I think of my Mom, miss her, this will be the second birthday, shortly, that I have not heard from her! lol, the cheeky lady, missing my birthday again eh!

Its silly really, I mean, most of my birthdays I was away, holidays usually, until I moved here... but always we spoke...

I'm having the weirdest dreams... Russell Grant says its because of the full moon tomorrow, the 15th, effecting us Cancerians! I had been lucky sleepwise at night, still feeling quite cool considering its July, that's really unusual! But last couple of nights, too hot to sleep, fan going round so fast the ceiling is likely to take off at any time! Keep having to sleep upside down to get best of the cool air from above, then waking up disorientated, or by Pippa jumping up on the bed knowing its time to get up, but not that my head is there at the bottom of the bed not the top! ~Grrrrrrreat!

I've done well, still not opened the envelope containing my ultra scan results, and only five days to go before the doctor tells me them!

Now this week, sun, heat, and more sun and heat! We are bar hopping, sat somewhere different and watched the comings and going of Alhaurín el Grande life from a different point of view! We were in the shade, bonus; and there was less spitting, coughing and cigarette smoke, that was just us!!! Not sure where we will be tomorrow, the Boardroom manager is who we follow, and where he leads, we will sit! Which is ok by the rest of us...

Not doing very good am I for such an important Blog! Ok lets see, let me pick up the pace and get going... I have been in friends pool again this week, not as much, but a little, feels wonderful in there, just keep forgetting I have to keep still and just 'hang' in there, keep relaxed and enjoying floating, or I suffer afterwards!

Last Thursday, I think? Went round the neighbors for drinks [I took bottle of red], and drank it! Phew, not used to that amount in one hit! But felt fine, and fine in the morning too, which was both amazing and good luck! We had a good evening, chatted the whole time and caught up, sometimes we can go for months without seeing each other, and then they're off again!

The band is back to practice Mondays and Thursday, great! Have a break folks, its too hot out there!

I've fixed the hose [broke last week], plants are ok, figs are coming on, my favourite, and some cuttings I took seem to have taken, fingers crossed! Not a great time to do it, temperature being well over 50degrees up there all day and no escape for them!

Have you noticed I seem to end each paragraph with an exclamation mark!!! What's that all about then? How long have I been doing this? Must mean something, but then, that's how I speak, with an '!' at the end of every sentence!

I think, before I drive even myself crazy with this Blog today I shall say adio amigos....

TTFN
Marian
oh and ps, I didn't win the 187 million Euros either... by the way!

Museo Carmen Thyseen Málaga today... We made good time to Málaga, bit of traffic in the city, but not too bad, parked easily and came out into the heat... was 39º by 10am! Like an open oven door! We had a coffee by the Alcazaba, I popped into the ladies there.... What a toilet! Huge room, old oak door with a massive bolt on the inside[of course!], georgeous tiffany style lamp and an oil painting on the wall of a naked man! There was a head and shoulder portrait on the door, of a woman, so I am guessing likewise in the gents, well the other way around of course!

I had printed out a map to get from the Picasso gallery to the Thyssen, but it was easy to find anyway, and five stories high, was a long haul walk... but very very good, although after the Louvre in Paris..... well, spoiled I guess eh!

Beautiful books in the shop on the way out, but so expensive....


Above is something I caught sight of on the way into the City, I thought initially it was scaffolding, but look closer..... go on zoom in! Its a piece of art, see the chairs??? Strange eh! Although a better photo than the first I took of a white van as it pulled up along side as I took the photo!!!!

Anyway, back to the Thyssen, after we left we went back to the main plaza at the end of c/larios and had a paella, mixto with a beer!

Then home!

I got lots in the mail box today, a card[*smiles*], and a bill from the phone company, for well over a hundred euros!!! They want[ed], 50€ for a call out fee, remember I called them out because the line was bad? Well they were charging 50€ for that effort of coming out, looking, using the phone and leaving! So I got straight onto them, told them I wasn't happy. I mean afterall, he didn't have the means to fix was what was needed, he told me what to get. And a couple of days later I bought the fixings from a hardware store, and I fixed the phone myself! And they want 50€??? I should send them my bill for fixing they're equipment!!!

Also had an Aviso[notice of mail in the post office for collection], its not our house number, or name, quite possibly not even out street! So popping that back in to them tomorrow, to get back again at a later date no doubt!

Oh and lots of post for next door but one, as usual!!!!

I'v had to lug the rug[oh!] up onto the terrace for a wash, Pippa has been so afraid to go up there, she had a couple of.... what shall I say? accidents? on the rug[pheuwy!!!], I tried to clean it downstairs out the back, but not a good idea, and so made it worse by having to get a wet rug up two flights or stairs!

Anyway, its washed, and dried up there now, but I think I will wash it again before bringing it down again! Poor little Pip!

Then last night, no, the night before, I was hosing down the plants, watering the plants really I think I mean! And the end came off and soaked me, so that was fun!!!

The last two nights sleep has been wonderful, Sunday night was as bad as Saturday night, even though we thought the celebrations were over, they weren't, 6am Sunday morning the rockets started again, and went on all day and all evening, then, no bands, nothing but rockets, and at about 10pm, there seemed to be a whole crowd of people milling about outside in our street, and there they were, hundreds and thousands[well almost], and they didn't leave till about 1am!!!!

Monday, hospital, I forgot to mention Friday, went to the hospital too! I had had a phone call late one evening, about 9pm telling me an appointment had been changed and thought it was my Monday appointment for the heart scan... so, off we went, waited up by the room for well over half hour, at least until they switched off the lights!!! Then we knew we were either in the place, or it was the wrong day and time, the later is the answer of course!

So a complete waste of time... We went as previously arranged to the correct appointment, we arrived early, but I went in on time, I watched the whole scan, could see lots of highs and lows on a monitor, me, inside of course, my heart beating away, thank God! And lots of lights, green and purple and red, like flashed of colored lightening, very pretty!

Took the results in a sealed envelope and went down to the appointments desk, because we thought the phone call must have been telling me of a change to the results consultation... we waited about an hour, nearly, and no, that appointment is fine and correct also!!! So what the heck was that all about? What appointment did I miss? And what for???

I now have to NOT open the envelope and take a sneak peek at the results, I wouldn't know what they mean, and would only get the wrong idea and worry, but its difficult not opening them.... isn't it???

TTFN
Marian

ps, sorry, very very tired and may be many errors, mis spellings or grammar or just plain weird writing today, apologies amigos, must try better next time!!

As I write, I hear rockets.... rockets rockets rockets, all we have been hearing all week, and I am all rocketed out now! These things must be costing someone some money, somewhere! And for what, to get people to the church?? Arrrrrhhhhhh, I know I have said this before, and I have every intention of saying it many times more yet, but honestly, we all have either mobile phones or alarm clocks to get us to be somewhere we are supposed to be at whatever times we are supposed to be there, we really do not need rockets for that any more!!!


Trip to Benalmadina this morning, we borrowed a friends car, a 4x4, I had only driven it once before, but it was ok, bit bigger than I am normally used to! And I felt very small at the wheel! We went down the coast road to Fuengirola and then along the coast road, along, well along the coast! To Benalmadina port, I hadn't been there for a while, I don't think since Mom passed away, she and I went there alot, so I could see her there... Everywhere, but then we passed the Chinese junk boat, and I could see Tony and I on that too! The new sea taxi was there, it looks like it would be a bumpy ride, but you get the boat from Benalmadina to Fuengirola, or Cabopino, Marbella, and even Gibralter, at some point! Every two hours from 10am, and its a return trip, just hope not everyone wants to get the same boat back, no standing, tha'ts forsure!

We arrived ok, parked, had a coffee, then went to meet Franco's sister Maria and her friends, they were at a beach bar on the other side of the marina, and we found them fine... had a coffee while they had breakfast then said our goodbyes! Maria is only here for the weekend, so just a fly by visit... Then we were back to the car and off outta there! We came back a slightly different way, and about half hour quicker too! Popped into Aldi on the way and stocked up! [on ice cream], although what I got will take a lot to beat the bubble gum ice cream I got earlier in the week from Overseas[Iceland], Mmmmmm yummy!

Back in town, couldn't get home! We came down the road, and the police were blocking the road, por que, the band was walking up our street! So engine off and waited... I drove up our street behind the band, pulled up outside the house, un loaded the shopping and left Franco to meet and greet the Pip, I then continued to follow the band up our street.... once again, engine off near the junction with plaza alta, once more they left, and the whole load of us cars made a quick get-away down a narrow lane, and away.... but slowly, this time the street was filled with people walking about! But I made it through, taking no prisoners... or maybe just the one or two across the bonnet like trophies!!!

Last night we had an impromptu walk! The phone rang, late, and I mean late!!! My friend whose car I had borrowed couldn't find his wallet, etc etc, everything! And that it might be in his car, in his bag, somewhere there! And he had only just realised it was missing, and where it might be, so off we went to the car, parked up the road, a way[!!!], Pippa thought it was great fun, going out so late, that is until the rockets started going off.... poor thing had to be carried for a while, and then she just kept wriggling and trying to get away, goodness knows what she would do, or where she would run, in panic... I hate to think!

Anyway, the car, the bag, yes! Hidden away out of sight, but there, thank goodness, then home, and back to sleep!

Today we have had bad trouble with internet, well no wifi, that is! Franco was trying to connect something, and ended up using the Ethernet lead, then when I tried to get on line, nothing, nada, and nowt as well!!! I started to lose the plot and thought I would just give it up, then on the hundredth time of switching everything off, mine at last started working! Why does this happen? Makes no sense to me at all....

Maybe its the heat, no no I do know its not, but it is hot hot hot hot! Washing taking half hour to dry... which reminds me I have more to put out just now!

Do you remember I brought my Step-Dads guitar in from the cave? It was so damp and ruined, I didn't know what to do with it, it seems so sad that it was left to rot in there, I feel bad about having done so, it was last year when we had all the rain and it was flooded like everything else in there!

Anyway, its been drying out, but is real stinky and in so many pieces its beyond repair I know, so today, I washed the case, and the back panel of the guitar has come away, I cleaned it up and its now making a very strange new addition to the lounge!!! maybe I should frame it? The label came off, but I'm going to stick that back on, Dads guitar was a Spanish one, made by Manuel Segura Roma E Jerez, sold in London!!! Oh and just googled all the info I have on it, one similar is for sale for 50£... Although I am sure its in much better conditioned, no cave damage me thinks!!

Before I go... Franco wanted something in my make up box, not as dodgy as that might sound by the way folks, but he opened it, peered in and the look on his face made me say to him "... you look like a stranger in a strange land!...."

adió amigos time for ice cream!
TTFN
Marian

Phew its hot, we're not complaining, well just a little, well don't we always complain about the weather it seems? May was still too cold, too wet, June was slow to get hot, then wham bam hot hot hot.... 24/7! Its so over 50 degrees on the terrace now, and even until late in the evening!

We are still having rocket fire all over the place, the purple church for the last couple of weeks and up to July 9th it seems!!!

My nose is red from a drive to La Cala market this morning in friends open top car, love it! But must remember sun screen on nose next time! Its glowing so much now its light will keep me awake later!!!

I'm leaving the fan on for Pip when I am out at all during the day, its so hot when I leave, but its still keeping cool down stairs in the evening and nights, with the persianas down and windows closed, but Pippa won't stay down there during the day and chooses to hide away up stairs where, of course, the heat is!

We wake up in the mornings in a boiling hot up stairs, even with the fans on, and come down into the cool, right now my skin is cool, and bites!!!! Everyone I know is being bitten this year? Maybe the late heat? the rain last month? Don't know but getting fed up chasing the little critters about in the evenings and still missing the hungriest one who wants to feed off me at night, and very fat he must be by now!!! Got some good bite cream now though, ah ha!!!

Had a very very painful day yesterday, I suppose now I know what exactly it is that's been causing the pain over the last few years I should understand and be more careful with my actions, for instance I was getting some photo's out from their place and in such a way was idiotic of me to do so! Its been alright me being so obstinate with the fm, I always knew even if it hurt or I pushed myself too much, I wasn't actually damaging anything, it just hurt, and would hurt for a while until... well until sometime, but I guess these cyst things being the size they are, me moving around is squishing them badly, and yesterday the pain was worse than I can say, at times making my eyes fill, and during that, some of my toes went numb???

Anyway, going before I go on further.... Have heart scan on Friday this week, so, we will see, what we shall see, I guess!

Today I begin to understand what love must be, if it exists.
When we are parted, we each feel the lack of the other half of ourselves.
We are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been lost.
That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence.
~ Edmond and Jules de Goncourt ~


TTFN
Marian

Today, is a rather strange Blog... as you all know, and over time hear me go on[and on], and Fibromyalgia, which I was diagnosed with back in 1994, after five years of tests and operations... It is hard to tell, or rather describe this disease, and how it effects the body.

Then just over 3 years ago, nearly four now even, I began to have other symptoms, the pain was different and I feared it was just the fm getting worse, changing in some way...

I went at last to the doctor, as I knew something was different, and the pain is so much worse, I knew I couldn't carry on like I was, also there was the erratic heart problems and high bp.

So I was diagnosed with Spinal nerve root cysts... This is also a chronic pain problem, also something that effects so much of ones body... A Letter to family and friends on the site explains how it feels, and so much of it is very similar to fm also, [apart from painful pressure points, brain activity whilst sleeping and a million other things!!!!]

So below.... This is me folks! However I might look, however the smile on my face, my laughter, the me that's got me through since 1989 with the fm, and now this, on top of it all.... But I am still bloody minded, stubborn, strong minded and determined to carry on, and continue to carry on, until I really cannot carry on any more!

******************************************************

Dear Family and Friends,

This letter was written in hopes of improved understanding of those who live with symptomatic Tarlov cysts and the chronic pain, nerve damage, and life altering changes they can cause.

Having cysts on my spinal nerve roots and the resulting nerve damage causes chronic pain and means many things in my life change, and a lot of them are invisible. Most people do not understand about relentless, intractable pain and its effects, and of those that think they know, many are actually misinformed. In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand, these are the things that I would like you to understand about me and my medical diagnosis.

Please understand that living with this medical condition doesn't mean that I am not still trying to live a "normal" life. However, I spend most of my days and nights in considerable pain and exhaustion; sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me…….. stuck inside this changed body. There are things that I can no longer do, and I have had to accept that. I worry about how the changes in me are affecting you. I care very much about my family and my friends, and I'd still like to hear you talk about your life, your family, and your activities. I like to talk about things other than me and my medical condition and pain. I still have the same interests I have always had; there are just some of them I can no longer actively pursue. I am grateful, by the way, for the things I can still do.

Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy". When you have the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but in a week or two you are back to normal. I've been living with this diagnosis and its symptoms for years; I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in pain, or not extremely fatigued, or that I'm "getting better". Please don't say, "Oh, you're sounding good!" or "But, you look so good", as if nothing could possibly be wrong. When I am around you and others, I try to smile, laugh, and enjoy being with you. I am merely coping. I am happy to be with my friends and family and trying to look normal and act normal; it does not mean that I am not in pain or that I have had a miraculous recovery.

Please understand that being able to sit, stand , walk, or be sociable for 15 minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can sit, stand , walk, or be sociable for thirty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to sit, stand , walk for thirty minutes at a time yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. With this medical condition, it gets more confusing everyday. It can be like a yo-yo. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up, and how painful the day will become; in most cases, I never know from hour to hour. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of living with Tarlov cysts and chronic pain. It sure makes planning ahead difficult, and it means I have had to adapt to an altered life style.

Please understand that chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible that one day I am able to take a walk, go out to lunch with you, go shopping , although when I get home or the next day I'll have trouble walking to the next room. Please don't be confused by saying or thinking, "But, you did it before!" or "Oh, come on, I know you can do this!" If you want me to do something, then ask if I can. I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to remember how very lucky you are to be physically able to do the things that you can do. I have to re-prioritize my plans and activities constantly, because of the pain and other symptoms that persist. I am still learning each day to cope with what I can no longer do, and to remain very thankful for what I can do.

Please understand that "getting out and doing things" does not always or necessarily make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. I really try to be as active and involved in activities as I possibly can, as far as the pain and symptoms allow. If I was capable of doing something that would take it away all of the time, don't you know that I would?

Obviously, chronic pain can deal with the whole body, or be localized to specific areas. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more symptoms and an increase in physical pain. The recovery time from doing something I should not do, or longer than I should do it, is significant. I call it ODI (overdoing it) and I pay for it dearly .You can't always read the pain on my face or in my body language. The pain is not caused by depression. The sadness and sometimes irritability that you might hear in my voice (even though I try hard to hide it) is from the pain and adjustments I have had to make in my life to go on, and it is due to the changes such as the loss of my job/career, my inability to jump in the car whenever I want to run errands, see a movie, go to a restaurant, visit friends, shop, clean my house, work in my garden, etc. as I did previously.

Please understand that if I say I have to sit down or lie down now, that probably means that I have to do it right now; it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere else, or am in the middle of doing something..

Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.

You may have wondered why I don't just take something stronger for the pain. I have tried many different medications, as well as surgery which did not result in improvement for me, although it has for many patients. I have developed many more cysts since my surgery. I have been made worse, not better, due to side effects or allergic reactions from the medications. These symptomatic cysts on the spinal cord nerves are rare, and are not related to more commonly understood problems, such as herniated or ruptured discs. Currently, there is only a handful of courageous Neurosurgeons and Interventional Neuroradiologists in the world who are seeing the majority of patients with this rare disorder and are willing to attempt treatment. Currently, the treatment outcomes are not indicating a high percentage of "complete cures"; however many patients are much improved.

If I seem touchy, irritable, or distant occasionally, it ¡s probably because I am. It's not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to look and act normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot of change. Chronic pain is hard to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and to live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.

In many ways I depend on you. I need you to call or visit me when I cannot go out. If you live with me, sometimes I need you to help me with the shopping, cooking, cleaning, gardening. You know me well enough to know it is very difficult for me to ask for help.You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss so much. I know that I have asked for a lot of understanding from you, and I do thank you for listening to my innermost thoughts on paper. It really does mean a lot to me that you care. My head and heart are still the same; it is my body that has changed, and my life as I knew it before Tarlov cysts has changed. Thank you for trying to understand what I myself do not completely understand. I appreciate your love, concern and prayers. This new journey of learning to live with this medical condition has blessed me in many ways.

The Tarlov Cyst Disease Foundation's vision is of a future in which Tarlov Cyst Disease is well understood, accurately diagnosed, and easily treated, so that those afflicted should not suffer needlessly. We hope to make the path a little easier for others with this rare diagnosis; we hope our efforts will bring about a cure in the future.

Reta Honey Hiers, R.N., C., President

Tarlov Cyst Disease Foundation

www.tarlovcystfoundation.org

P.S. If you are a TC patient, please feel free to print this letter and share it as is, or edit it to make it your own to share .

************************************************
Well, there it is, the high-lighted bit is all me really, the bit about the operations etc, who knows yet, lets hope what they decide to do here to help me works, because by the sound of it, the other option doesn't sound too good does it!

Now I have depressed you all, go get a glass of wine or a beer eh!

TTFN
Marian

On Monday I went into the bank to pay the IBI [council tax], rubbish and sewerage bills...

He, cashier, noticed something I hadn't, typical! That the date on them was last years dates, so he had torn off the bottom bits, put the money into my account, instead of just scanning and paying the bills, then he said, these are last years! You need updated invoices to pay them... I said how strange as I have paid them.... he just told me to go to the office to see....

I checked my files[!], and was correct that I had paid them, last August! by the way!

la la la.... This morning, well I had to leave it a bit, you know build up the momentum for the conversation of hell! In I went, I didn't take the receipts from last years payments, I know what can happen when you hand over original documents, in the past they have been taken and thrown away and copies given!!!!

So! In I went, I said these had come through my mail box a month or so ago, and did he have this years to pay... He said that they are not due out for delivery until August! That he didn't know where these had come from and that....click click click... I had paid these in August last year! Yeah!!! Just like I knew I had.... So out I went, only a matter of minutes from going in!!!

Then I had to make an appointment for the doctors... in I went, up to the desk, asked for an early appointment as soon as please! Tomorrow morning early! Fantastico!

I had phoned Vodafone myself earlier in the week, having tried and tried previously in the shops to get my contract cancelled, but it just never worked out! I had tried a number I was told would put me through to an English speaker, that didn't, wouldn't! And was never working!

So I had just called the regular number, cup on tea to hand, ready for a long hawl.... But NO! I asked for an English speaker and English"!!! So I said I wanted to change to pre paid... And he took all my details, then I said what price plan I wanted and he said yes fine... 6 and half minutes later, tea still hot I went back downstairs, in shock! But, and its a big but, I'm not so sure he has cancelled my account, and not just changed my price plan!!!

I guess I will find out soon enough eh!!

This morning a child was hit whilst crossing the road, on a crossing, with her Mom and sister, the man didn't see her, and she was thrown into the air, still holding onto her Mom's hand! She was ok, thank God, just a scratch on her elbow... I arrived just after the incident, thank goodness, wouldn't want to have that in my memory, and I'm sure the poor child doesn't either of course! You know, no one called the police??? Someone took them to the medical centre, but nothing else was done????

The doctor at the hospital said if my bp came down below 110, the upper number, to come off my bp meds, it has today, I hardly have any bp at all!!! So tomorrow I will leave it out! Just take the Beta blocker! Bit worried about this, but that's what he said... So there we have it amigos!

TTFN
Marian

Saint Augustine -Don't cry if you love me!

Dragon as seen in the Mijas International weekend, lots of stands from many countries around the world... Not Italy though, not sure why, they haven't been there any time we have gone to visit the fair....

We had a whole plateful of meat from Uruguay.... Look away now if your not a meat eater please!!



Couldn't get the whole bbq area into the frame!! I did try standing back to take a better shot but people just kept getting in the way.... as we do!!!

We had had to get the bus to Mijas, the 2:30 from Alhaurín, which didn't get to our parada until ten to three! So was 20 minutes from there to the pueblo, unbelievably a guy at the bus stop asked us, more Franco really as I was hiding in the shade of the bus top... not much as it happened, but, sorry back to guy... he wanted cigarettes, so left his small daughter alone, with us, and 3 or 4 single guys and another couple... to get go them!!! The shop was out of sight from us, and I still can't believe he just left her with so many complete strangers!

I went with friends to the lakes again! And found that the tree by the church is a Mulberry tree! And in fact there are two of them there! Well never too old to learn something eh! I took them to the top of the mountain first with the reservoir and Bobastro remains, we would have had a coffee in the bar up there.... but bar gone, sold, and it looks like a private house now only, and a very beautiful one at that!

From there down to El Choro, the railway station bar and coffee.... and then to the lakes at Ardales! By then 'they' were almost tourist'ed out I think! So we had some very nice food at the Kiosk restaurant over looking the main lake...

I then pushed my luck and we walked around the corner to the two dams, the old, and the new... And then, went just a bit too far and took them down to the lower level of the lake... where they almost lost the will to live, well one anyway! He had had enough of the tourist trail and just wanted to leave the place... So we did!!!

We had a meeting at work during the week, and I was thanked for my TV appearance! Did anyone actually see it? I hope not, but I have been advised I will be doing it again as it brought so many people in??? I think they wanted to see the clown who spoke gibberish do you think!!!

Have dates for my heart scan now, July 4th! And results from that a couple of weeks later... Just wish it was sooner, all seems to be taking so long, and still not quite got used to these Beta blockers, still hoping I won't have to take them forever...

Feeling a bit vague now actually as I type, so will leave you here, with a quote I came across during the week... I have a few actually, that came just when I needed them, and one beautiful poem from Saint Augustine a good friend sent me.... which I have just now, as I write, found on YouTube and posted herein...

You see I took a step back this week, I felt like I had lost my Mom all over again... I came home one afternoon, walked into the kitchen, put on the kettle to make a cup of tea, and thought, as I do every day, that I would phone Mom, and bam, I burst into tears, and for all the rest of that evening and into the next day, I cried like I had last year...

The truth is that there is only one terminal dignity - love.
And the story of a love is not important -
what is important is that one is capable of love.
It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.
~ Helen Hayes ~

TTFN
Marian

ANother trip out today! This morning headed out to Cátama and then to Estacion de Cártama... Market is still on there on Sundays, let me tell you! Didn't want to get involved with it, but got caught up in traffic and ended up circumnavigating the whole of the town because of it!!!

From there we took the Pizzara road, stopping off there and walking into town for churros, the stand didn't have any chocolaté, must remember to carry thermos of creamy hot chocolaté at all times to save further un happiness having to eat churros without the hot chocolaté... back in the car, also, of course sugar less! I normally have some sugar in my bag[!!!!], but also today, none of it! At present, now I think of it, there is one solitary churro left in a plastic bag, in the car, keeping warm, or even very hot, considering how hot the sun is today, even now at 7pm!

Summer at last, and about time too..... Just published this and checking it out realised I haven't explained the photo above, there is a monastery, its about mid mountain, and over to the right a bit, a while building, zoom anyway... oh and I am just guessing about what it is, sorry....


Above a great shot of the road... less travelled these days, maybe! Managed to get over it ok, although on reflection I think should have taken the part of the road that had already sunk, because driving over the higher bit, about 5 foot higher, felt decidedly dodgy!!

Then further along, the pic below, you can see how the side of the road here has actually risen, not fallen.... So, no complaining about pot holes over there in Blighty por favor mis amigos... these are what real pot holes look like! You don't lose your tires over here, you lose your whole car!!!

And below a new'ish, what we thought was a road, and for the past couple of years, we thought it was a road, but on closer inspection anyone can see its a railway line! A very high railway line! you can see this from so far away, even nearly here! And where we spent my birthday last year, when we thought it was an empty road!!!

And finally below, a view of Alóra, taken from a garden centre car park, we didn't go into Alóra today, but there on the mountain on the left you can see a castle...


The garden centre was huge! And had the biggest restaurant I have ever seen in a garden centre!!! They are 'doing up' the rest of the place, but still had plenty of plants and gardenware!!!

Alot of the roads we travelled on today were in a state of bad repair, just like a couple of weeks ago, if people drove too fast, in the dark, they wouldn't last long forsure!

Our journey ended, as it has before strangely by coming down the mountain that over looks the Garganta restuarant and El Chorro station, passing the restaurant near the top where we went with Tony some years back now... Although not entirely sure if it was from the same direction! As if I remember correctly we passed the restaurant on the left, and not up the right on a side turning? This means nothing to you, sorry, rambling....

I think I am getting used to the Betablockers now, its my fourth day, and I seem to be typing ok, Mmmmm, did a typo there, so maybe not! And still confused how the meds make me even more tired than I normally am, but also give me insomnia at night! How does that work then???

Oh and today whilst out, I saw another owl! Asleep on a fence post, on the Alóra road! And then later we saw this terrific little lizard crossing the road infront of us! And in a major hurry he was too! His head held high, legs going as fast as he could, bright green in color.... Sooooo cute! Trouble is the only photo I have is the one in my minds eye!

Came home about 2pm and sunbathed up on the roof terrace, summer is here[I hope!], started reading a book I haven't read for years, and years, Silver Metal Lover its called...

And now there is a robot movie on tv... oh well!

TTFN amigos
Marian