Well! It’s finally happened – the fourth sibling finally got her ‘ology!! Yes, my clever sister Linda is now a graduate, of the foundation degree in counselling – such an achievement – at 62! The full degree finishes this summer and she is already going great guns with her fledgling counselling business! She’s writing some excellent blogs now too – this one here is very pertinent. Pls click on it and give her some views? You may know someone who might appreciate being sent it, too, at this time of year.

Her whole immediate family made it to her big day, too, as did our brother Derek, also a counsellor and looking trim nowadays (thanks MJ!) Everyone was very proud and I went off to work and they all went off for a celebration meal.

Mum would’ve come too but she wasn’t back from her 35 day cruise until the following day. And on the Sunday me n H plus mum n her David went for dinner to our ‘usual’ cafe on Tattenham Corner – the 4th week on the trot! Very nice it was too – have missed having my mummy being next door. Although with all my gallivanting nowadays I’ve been away myself a lot! 

SNIPPETS

Retreat with Rebecca

Including being off for another week in Devon. Another month, another writing retreat – with lovely tutor Rebecca Horsfall and a group of returners. H played his role marvellously as usual: good job, because my dishwasher broke down midweek! Good job I had brought along my own human one! Lol. Had a lovely time. The best dinner I made this week is pictured on my Friday email newsletter! Saw pals, had some fun, and enjoyed it. Wonder how many I will do before some new owner takes over….!

Far Northern Lights

Another sibling, brother Glenn, was up in the North of Sweden and took this pic – am well-jell! Never saw them when pal Gill and I went to Iceland several years ago, it just pelted down. Bit like it has lately in the UK. Rained nearly all last week in Devon too. Boo. Roll on Spring. Made me smile when AI helped create this troll version of Glenn in his bobble hat too! Hehe! Gotta love ChatGPT. 

Don’t know about you but ChatGPT is like having a mate you can ask to look things up for you online and summarise them – it’s not always right but this week I’ve used it for questions from what happens if you mix petrol with diesel (no, not me!), to cruises in May to who starred as the cameraman in the Henry James filming section of Notting Hill (no, it wasn’t a relation of Donald Pleasance.) A fabulous tool!

Bye Bye lovely Baloo

Lolly’s old spaniel, 14 yr old Baloo got so poorly she sadly went over the rainbow bridge this week. Love u Bloobie, hope you’re happily playing with my labradors Holly, Patch, Gracie and Daisy. Lolly and the gang miss you. Love and hugs. Luna’s not been well either, sadly. Everyone’s giving her lots of love and so will I – and the family – when I visit for Jasper’s 4th birthday.  

Exclusive – on this week’s newsletter (sign up to get yours in the inbox every weekend), the exclusive content is not just the top meal in Devon, but also a nice romantic pic of me n The Man in Devon.. 

Watch – As Good As It Gets – WHAT a movie. Jack Nicholson on top form, as an OCD crotchety novelist; Helen Hunt as the down-at-heel, take-no-BS, waitress – his love interest; and an incredible performance by Greg Kinnear as down-on-his-luck artist and neighbour. If you meed a great film, watch this old classic!! 9 out of ten. Love it. As is Notting Hill – also fabulous!!

Also this Saturday, hot on the heels of his appearance on Celebrity Mastermind, my pal and fellow presenter Craig Rowe is on Celebrity Weakest Link! 7.30pm on BBC1. Good luck Craig!

Blooper – in the spirit of old films, here are some even older Hollywood bloopers!

And in keeping with Notting Hill, some superb Julia Roberts (the Hollywood one!) funnies!! See it here.

Vlog – another mini behind the scenes at QVC last week! Have been doing a lot of these lately – enjoy! See it here.

Book of the Week – Finished Unholy Murder – very good. So straight on to the next Jane Tennison – book 8, Dark Rooms. A tragic discovery in an old rented family house and only one person knows the answers Jane seeks… well written as ever – good so far!

Also If you’re looking for a half term treat for your young bookworms get your paws on a copy of #iggytheincredible – a lovely tale of a very special dog who didn’t let his stature or background get in the way of his achievements. Get it here.

Prices include P&P and all profits from the book will be spent on the life-saving work of my top charity Medical Detection Dogs. So worthwhile.

QVC TOP DEALS FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS

Friday (today) – go to qvcuk.com and search ‘today’s special value’ to see and buy what’s left of Hush Puppies Tierney trainers.

Saturday – Shark’s hot n cold heater/fan called ultrabreeze pro heat – already online. See Miceal’s post here.

Sunday – Elemis are back with some fab pro-collagen facecare – look at this pic!! Looking forward to being back on on Sunday night with the 10pm final hour – hope it lasts!

Big deals ending Sunday night

Go to this section of our website each week to discover the current ones which often end on Sunday nights if there are any stocks left!

Big deals are available on air for usually a week, they may be longer online if stocks last. Occasionally they last a couple of weeks but there are new ones every Sunday night so come back again and see them on the link above. 

Next week should include:

– style – Osprey London Oxford Nylon backpack

– garden – tbc

– extra – panasonic eyebrow epilator

– beauty – Pai Age Confidence NAD+ tri-peptide renewal serum

– main tbc

Btw that video I shot for the stone bath mat ended up like this! Thx QVC socials bods! See it here.

Offer of the Week – starting Sunday, the aeropilates 4 cord reformer with shoulder pads and flared foot bar – I wonder what that looks like! 

Now back to the today’s special values for the rest of the week – 

PLEASE NOTE – these are correct at time of writing but maybe subject to change.

Monday – another jumper – this time the White Stuff Talia Nep jumper

Tuesday – Keter Store It Out Ace 120 garden storage box, going on sale early.

Wednesday – Apricot return with the Paisley Shimmer Blouse

Thursday – Michael Van Clarke’s first haircare TSV – great products – his Ultimate Styling Set. Am sorry I’m not in – he’s had some sell-out shows!

Friday – CASO Turbo LED Hot Water Dispenser – I love mine!

Friday 9 pm – DECLEOR RETURNS!!! With a 4-pc Neroli Bigerade collection! I loved their face oils so am looking forward to the new range. Wonder who the guest will be!

Next week – Wales, and Jasper’s 4th! Plus a week with my lovely guy, including Valentine’s Day – yahooooo!!! Am back on Sunday night, then Monday, then my long week off mostly with H in Sussex! **sigh**…!!! Have a good one, whatever you get up to!

Best wishes

Debs

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PS  I support Medical Detection Dogs. We raised over £2,300 in our event back in June ‘25. Watch out for another one in 2026! Find out more and donate on this link.

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