Grannymar

Now that the work year had begun in earnest will things be frantic? Never mind help is on the way! Before you leave home - have a cup of tea or coffee with a pinch of cayenne pepper added. The tannins in the tea and the caffeine in the coffee will make the energy boosters in the cayenne start feeding your body fast.

Working outdoors and wearing wellies? Wellington boots may keep your feet dry but are no good for keeping heat in. Have you any ould carpet lying around the house?

Cut out a pair of insoles from the carpet and your tootsies will be toasty while you work or play in the mud. Don’t forget to try it in children’s wellies too. Wool carpet 80/20 is best. Buy a sample square.

Does your pet pooch shed?

In the next few weeks gather up the dog hairs and save them in a bag or box. Once you get the first smell of spring in the air, start to put little bundles of the dog hair about the size of a table tennis ball, into gaps in the bushes round your garden. Tuck it in just enough that the breeze will not blow it away and then watch… The birds will use it to line their nests and reward you for the gift with Birdsong all summer long!

Peeling onions makes me cry – not any more - immerse the onions in a bowl of hot water and peel them under the water. Or put a spoon in your mouth and leave it there while you peel.

The smallest room in the house is often the cause of debate. Should the seat be up or down? Growing up in a household of men (father & four brothers) the worry was not about whether the seat was up or down, but the artistic splash-work they left behind. Now I know there are several young men about to be trained in the wonders of the toilet bowl Adam, Lucas and Ethan are three. No! A toothbrush is not for cleaning the toilet bowl.

Teach the boys to AIM. A table tennis ball left to float in the water gives them a target to hit.

ALL boys love targets