Newsletter December 07

	THE MESSENGER
	The Musketeers Newsletter December 2007 Part of the Multiple Sclerosis Society North Staffs Branch. Charity Reg.207495

Fundspending

We are moving to the next three months of the programme so here are the details for you.

January 23^rd. Short mat bowling at London Road Bowling Club, Newcastle. Start at 8.00pm. Note that this is the 4^th Wednesday, not our usual 3^rd. Any questions, ring me on 523028.

February 20^th. Quiz to be held at the Man in Space, Trentham. Meet as usual at 8.00pm. Again, ring me with any queries.

March 19^th. AGM. To be held at Trinity Social Club, London Rd., Newcastle. Start at 8.00 pm. If you require any information about this please ring Christine on 284123.

Message from our Chairman

There was no prize for spotting last quarter's deliberate mistake. My article was a repeat of the previous issue, this must have been an error made at the printers as it was correct on the disk Paul sent.

Just a quick recap on the past six months, the annual event where we invite partners was held at the Stone House. We had a very good meal dinner followed by an entertaining talk by Sue Morgan.

Since then we have had a BBQ at Christine’s, played pool at Rileys and been to Buffet Island. If you like Chinese food that is the place to go, check with Paul!!!!!
These events have all been well attended and I look forward to seeing you all at the coming meetings.

Joan Hick
(Chairman)

Programme

Our October meeting was at The Buffet Island Chinese Restaurant in Newcastle.

This type of dining – eat as much as you like, or can, for a set price –was a first for many of us .The problem was everything looked so tempting and tasted delicious, it was hard not to try a bit of everything . A good night was had by all, but a few of us suffered and lived to tell the tale of our over indulgence.

Remember you're a carer!

Recognising yourself as a carer is the very first step to getting the support you need. Many of us do not see ourselves as carers straight away: we are mums and dads, husbands, wives, partners, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbours. We are simply doing what anyone would, caring unpaid for a loved one or friend, helping them through when they are unable to do things for themselves. The fact is that you are also a care, and there are things that you need to know. No one likes to be labelled, but recognising yourself as a carer can be the gateway to getting a range of help and support. For more info ring.

Social services 01782 234567

M.S. Support Office 01782 503855

Musketters 01782 284123

Quiz (Answers on next page.)

Double letter Quiz

All the answers are two words and each word begins with B

E.g. Flea bitten cartoon rabbit
(answer Bugs Bunny)

……………………………………..

1. Your savings are recorded here

2 Powdery sweet

3 Cheap accommodation

4 Stores essential body fluid

5 Sings in trees

6 A pudding

7 Proud of their physique

8 Much to do person

9 Back to front money holder

10 Causes painful birth

11 Served with carrots

12 Used in experiments

13 Two Mr`s lending money

14 Container for pub drink

15 Popular with a cup of tea

16 Young porter

DON’T MESS WITH OLD LADIES

An older lady gets pulled over for speeding…….

Older woman: Is there a problem, Officer?

Officer: Ma’am, you were speeding.

Older woman: Oh, I see.

Officer: Can I see your license, please?

Older woman: I’d give it to you but I don’t have one.

Officer: Don’t have one?

Older woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.

Officer: I see….Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.

Older woman: I can’t do that.

Officer: Why not?

Older woman: I stole this car.

Officer: Stole it?

Older woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.

Officer: You what?

Older woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the boot if you want to see.

The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back-up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.

Officer 2: Ma’am, could you step out of the vehicle, please!

The woman steps out of her vehicle.

Older woman: Is there a problem, sir?

Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.

Older woman: Murdered the owner?

Officer 2: Yes, could you open the boot of your car, please.

The woman opens the boot, revealing nothing but an empty boot.

Officer 2: Is this your car, Ma’am?

Older woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.

The officer is quite stunned.

Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.

The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.

The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.

Officer 2: Thank you, Ma’am. One of my officers told me you didn’t have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.

Older woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too.

Don’t Mess With Old Ladies!!!

In your Garden

The effects of cold

Cold weather and particularly frost, causes the water in plant cells to freeze, damaging the cell wall. Frost-damaged plants are easy to spot, their growth becomes limp, blackened and distorted. Evergreen plants often turn brown and the leaves of tender plants take on a translucent appearance. Frost problems are often made worse where plants face the morning sun, as this causes them to defrost quickly, rupturing their cell walls.

Hardy plants and tough evergreens can also be damaged by prolonged spells of severe cold when soil becomes frozen. Roots are unable to take up water and plants die from lack of moisture. Periods of cold, frosty weather during April and May can also kill blossom and damage fruit.

Minimising damage

Prevention is far better than cure, so try to minimise the damaging effects of cold on your plants:

	Avoid golden or variegated plant varieties that are often more tender.
	Choose plants that are reliably hardy in the area where you live.
	Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers as they encourage plants to make lots of sappy leafy growth that is particularly susceptible to damage, especially early and late in the year.
	Make sure tender specimens are planted in a sheltered spot, under large trees and shrubs or against walls, give them some heat and protection during the winter.
	Ensure that plants with tender flower buds or shoots are not planted in east-facing sites.
	Leave the old growth of tender plants unpruned over the winter months. This will help to protect the central crown of the plant and take the brunt of any frost damage. If plants are cut back hard in autumn new growth could be damaged by frost.
	Cold air and frost always descend to the lowest point in a garden so avoid planting tender plants in obvious frost pockets.

Carer’s Commandments

1. Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people

2 Thou shalt not be perfect, or even try

3 Thou shalt leave things undone that ought to be done

4 Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin

5 Thou shalt learn to say no

6 Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and thy supportive network

7 Thou shalt switch off and do nothing regularly

8 Thou shalt be boring, inelegant, untidy and unattractive at times

9 Thou shalt not feel guilty

10 Thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy

Quiz Answers

1 Bank Book

2 Bon Bon

3 Bed and Breakfast

4 Blood Bank

5 Black Bird

6 Bread and Butter

7 Body Builder

8 Busy Body

9 Bum Bag

10 Breach Baby

11 Boiled Beef

12 Bunsen Burner

13 Bradford and Bingley

14 Beer Barrel

15 Bourbon Biscuit

16 Barrow Boy