Monday 31 August 2009

Postcrossing

Just a quickie, have received 2 more postcards, from Germany and Italy this time.(They arrived on Saturday, no mail delivery today even though it's not a Scottish holiday) My Taiwan card reached it's destination so I was rewarded with another new address. Poland this time. My other European cards should reach their destinations tomorrow.

Have I mentioned that I'm loving this site?

Read 101 books...

Have finished reading another book. "Awight Now" by Michael Barrymore (17/101). Very interesting read. Doesn't have a lot of nice things to say about tabloid journalists. Tend to agree with him on that point.

Several years ago, when my young nephew died suddenly (ill health, but it is not my story to tell) his parents wanted their grief to remain private. (understandably) The local journalists phoned everyone in the local phone book with the same surname asking if they were related to him and did they want to make a statement?. I have never been so angry in all my life, and told the reporter so, in no uncertain terms. Since then I have very rarely read a newspaper.

Anyway, enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Was at the library on Saturday so have picked up some more reading material.
  1. Octopussy & the Living Daylights by Ian Fleming - only 139 pages for both stories wonder where they got enough for 2 movies.
  2. More than just a Hairdresser by Nia Pritchard - pretty jacket cover caught my eye.
  3. The five people you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom - title reeled me in.
  4. The Ballroom on Magnolia Street by Sharon Owens - liked the blurb
  5. Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke - liked the last one of hers I read, so want to read the rest.
  6. The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult - this one's a talking book, I thought I'd listen to it whilst trying to catch up on a mountain of ironing.

I have a strange way (or maybe not) of selecting books. Often it's the jacket that catches my eye first, sometimes it's the title, then if the blurb sounds good it goes on my list.

Edit, Add, Appreciate Sunday

OK, so it's a day late but I was feeling yucky all afternoon yesterday and didn't want to blog.

Edit one thing - My self doubt, I am always questioning my abilities even when I know I can do something well. Sometimes I can get paranoid about fear of failing. It's very negative and unnecessary. I know I am more than capable of achieving some things so why doubt it. It must stop.

Add something - More time with Mouse. It has been very hectic since she went back to school and I find I am not getting enough time to just sit with her and listen to her news. I have been listening whilst preparing dinner or doing a chore. I want her to have my full attention, so she doesn't feel I'm not interested.

Appreciate something or someone already in your life - Hamish my dog who when I'm feeling ill or down always comes and gives me a cuddle (OK he squashes me) but he is very good at sensing when you need a lift.

Friday 28 August 2009

All snuffly


I feel like s**t today. Sore throat, snuffly nose and headache. Napkin is ill too, but far worse than me so I spent the day looking after her. Now I'm going to bed with beechams to see if I can sleep it off because I want to go to meet a couple of friends tomorrow.

Napkin lay on the sofa inside her sleeping bag all day and we watched "Day After Tomorrow" and "Dog Soldiers" - just what you need when you're feeling ill a bit of guts and gore!!!

On the plus side I received my first postcard from "Postcrossing" today. A lovely card depicting beautiful buildings in Gent, Belgium, so I thought I'd share it with you. Anyone visited Gent?

Thursday 27 August 2009

Jewel Quest II


Yippee! Have now completed this damn game. Babes has so kindly (grr garr grr) informed me that he has downloaded the original "Jewel Quest" to his lap top and I am welcome to play it.!!!! As if!!
There is no bloody way I am looking anywhere near it. I was hooked enough on this one. Once I started, there was no way I was letting a computer game get the better of me. He said when I complete it I can "go back and re-play boards that I enjoyed". Is he insane!
What men see in these repetitive games is beyond me. I heard my Uncle telling Babes he has been trying to get past some helicopter in "Quantum of Solace" for months (probably a man type exaggeration but still) Absolutely mental that's what it is.
Now I have beaten the computer and will happily retire the victor and never play one of these infuriating games ever again., and If I do start to blog about one please remind me of this post!

P.S. postcrossing card sent to Washington, USA has been received , got a new address for Oregon in the States, also got a message to say my first card is on its way.

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Postcrossing & History Lessons

Kings College Aberdeen


Am loving this Postcrossing. You're allowed to have up to 5 cards travelling at any one time (more if you've been at it for ages) so because 3 of my originals had arrived at their destinations I was allowed 3 more recipients. The new ones were in Vienna, Lithuania and another one for the Netherlands but this time it was a place called Hellevoetsluis (last time it was Rotterdam).
Some people put a preference for the type of picture postcard they want. I don't care but I guess if you've been collecting for a long time you might want different types. Anyway this time I chose postcards according to their requests.

I sent one of "Kings College" in Aberdeen, and thought since the person likes historical buildings they might want to know a bit about it. Had a great time researching "Kings College". They've had 5 Nobel prize winners!, and it's the third oldest university in Scotland. I never knew that and I've lived here nearly all my life!

Another person wanted bridges so I sent a card of the "Glenfinnan Viaduct" (the Harry Potter Bridge as it's also known) researching it I found out that it is over 1000ft long and 100ft high at it's highest points, has 21 arches and that it was the first bridge made entirely of concrete in the world. Not only that but the area where it's built was where Bonnie Prince Charlie took up the standard with the Jacobite's to fight the Clans.

I'm going to get a real education doing this, and it's great because I can discuss it with the kids too. Even researching the humble Scottish Thistle was another history lesson. I already knew it's role in helping Scottish Clans defeat invading Norsemen, but didn't know it was first used as a royal symbol of Scotland on silver coins issued by James III in 1470.

Hope you've enjoyed your little delve into Scottish History . I always enjoyed History but wasn't able to take it at school because it clashed with other subjects on the timetable. GRRR

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Postcrossing

Very excited 3 of my 5 initial postcards sent via "Postcrossing" have arrived at their destinations. The Netherlands, Germany and Spain cards have arrived, the ones sent to USA and Taiwan have not been registered as received yet but it can take up to 15 days (so the website says).

That makes me eligible to receive 3 postcards back. Can't wait to see where they're from. Who would have believed I could get such a high from such a simple thing. (OK I know I'm being nerdy but I don't care)


Big thanks go to APOW who posted about this in the first place, and didn't mind when I copied her.

Monday 24 August 2009

Books

Started reading "A Catered Wedding" by Isis Crawford but couldn't really get in to it so have decided to stop and am now going to read "Awight Now" by Michael Barrymore which is one of the books I got at christmas.

Have connected up the old computer and found some old photos we'd forgotten to transfer over. Some really cute ones of the cats when they were kittens and some of our old dog.

Made a start on cleaning out the cupboard under the stairs. The c**p that was in there! It's been one of those cupboards where you just shove anything in to be out of the way. Will post a photo when it's finished.

Sunday 23 August 2009

Edit, Add, Appreciate Sunday

Edit - I am stopping eating white bread. It's not just that I prefer brown bread but white bread makes me feel ill. I've been doing little experiments and every time I eat white bread I get a headache and upset tummy.

Add - I am going back to wearing earrings every day. I have lots of beautiful earrings that just sit in a box as I only tend to wear them when I'm going out on the town.

Appreciate - My Babes, when I was at church this morning he painted all the woodwork in the front hall. I've been wanting to freshen it up for ages. What a sweetie he is.

Saturday 22 August 2009

Facebook

Have had a Facebook account for a while now, but haven't really done anything with it. (didn't know how to, if the truth be told) So last night Napkin sat with me and talked me through it. Had great fun updating info and adding photo's and sorting through Friend requests that I hadn't replied to.

Left a message on nearly every Friends wall and added some new Friends to my list. I am quite impressed with myself. Napkin was very strict about which photo I was allowed to use as a profile photo. Gave me great insight to what she thinks of my fashion sense!. Lot's of "OMG that top is hideous" and "I never liked that on you" "Those trousers are so 80's" (she wasn't even born in the 80's how would she know!!) I think she is more concerned that I don't show her up on her page (typical teenager).

What I want to know is when did I morph into this "old wifie". I still consider myself to be in my prime (all be it more rump than rib), but clearly in my daughter's eyes I have moved on to "old wifie" stage. Think it's time I got the hair dye out again. Perhaps a little too much grey showing these days. I'll never be a "Mrs Robinson" but I'd like to try for a bit of trendy middle aged mum!

Friday 21 August 2009

Military Tattoo

The Chinese Troupe "She Hou"


Last night's performance was fantastic. It was windy but stayed dry throughout the night.

The massed pipe bands were excellent, playing new compositions and old favourites. When they played "Amazing Grace" at the end it sent shivers down my spine. The drummers ( I always love to see them) played with such speed and dexterity it was staggering. They were playing their own drums, each others and throwing their drumsticks back and forth. The wind was quite strong and some sticks were blown off course but they carried spares. In fact, if it wasn't that you could see the lost drumsticks rolling off down the castle road, you'd have never known they had been dropped.

The Tongan band played lots of familiar tunes and danced a bit of the can can for us. The most spectacular display was by the Chinese "She Hou" troupe. The way those dancers pranced about on their stilts was beyond belief. When the show is shown on TV please try and watch it. Even if you don't like bagpipes (how could you not enjoy a skirl) you could try turning down the sound until the "She Hou" come on.

My only complaint was that the big German behind me had long legs and his knees were sticking in my back all evening (but to be fair there isn't much legroom between the seats).

Copycat

I am such a copycat, can't see green cheese. Was reading apow's blog and she was posting about "Postcrossing" where you send postcards to random people all over the world. Anyway I've gone and copied her and joined up to. You're allowed to send up to 5 cards on your first go so I was given (the site selects the addresses for you to send your postcards to) Netherlands, USA, Spain, Germany and Taiwan.

Cards are now dutifully sent and I await with much excitement the email to say my cards have been received by the recipients.

It wasn't easy to find postcards locally though (meaning my local post office) They had postcards but they weren't pictures of Aberdeen they were pictures of Braemar and Ballater and even from the Highlands. Now I know some people may not know where Aberdeen is in Scotland but I can assure you it is miles from any of these places.

Our lovely post office manager (Catherine) kindly arranged for some to come from the other post office that the owners have, but although they are pictures of Aberdeen, they're old scenes and not very interesting ones. I have sent them, but will have to seek out better ones for future use.

Thursday 20 August 2009

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Edinburgh Castle during the 2008 Military Tattoo
Today we are off to see the Tattoo. It's the second time we've been and I'm really looking forward to it. I really love the skirl of the pipes and the massed pipes and drums makes me swell with patriotic pride.

This year's programme look to be spectacular with the Swiss Drum Corps being one of my most anticipated acts. The Chinese troupe "She Hou" should also be outstanding. The weather forecast is not fab so I'm hoping it will be dry during the performance. We will however be taking black bags to use as capes if the heavens should open. Tonight's performance has a firework display after it and there is supposed to be a fly past as the RAF are taking a big part in this years Tattoo.

All in all I can't wait, and I will be taking extra batteries this year as last year the camera ran out before the end of the display (I was not a happy bunny as I had suggested to Babes that we should take spares and he said it would be fine!!)

I will leave you with a quick clip from last years Tattoo although I apologise for the quality of the video. The sound quality doesn't do it justice either.

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Lovefilm

Yesterday we watched "Lesbian Vampire Killers" and no its not porn. It's by the guys that do "Gavin & Stacy". What a lot of silly nonsense but amusing too. Don't know that I'd necessarily recommend it but it was certainly better than the Jack Black c**p I saw last month. Kinda more slapstick than anything else. It was one that Peanut had wanted to see from "Lovefilm".

I quite like "Lovefilm" rental because its so easy. The only bad thing is that I've seen a lot of the movies on offer and the ones I do want to see can sometimes be on the long wait list. Anyone else out there use them?

I am waiting to see Nicolas Cage's "Knowing" as I missed it in the cinema, also "Valkyrie" with Tom Cruise. If anyone has seen them can you tell me what you thought of them.

Tuesday 18 August 2009

My baby's all grown up!

Mouse and Peanut (napkin still in bed lazy moo)

My baby has gone off this morning, to the big school, leaving her Mum blubbing over her morning cuppa. I can hardly believe that my youngest is starting the Academy. I was camera mad snapping heaps of photos to remind her of her first day. She told me to stop behaving like a paparazzi (charming!)
I'm happy, sad, excited and terrified all at once. Can't wait for her to get home to hear all about her day. She is so excited and went off quite the thing with her brother, who was going to walk with her part of the way, before he heads off to work. There are 2 kids from her old primary in her class (one boy and one girl) so she does know somebody, but she made a couple of friends during the induction day so is looking forward to meeting them again too. (even if she can't remember their names)

She wanted to wear her Grandma's necklace though so her Grandma would be with her (so a bit nervous perhaps) Funny when I'm nervous about going somewhere I wear my Mum's rings on a chain (she had slender fingers unlike my fat sausages) round my neck so I have her with me too.

Sunday 16 August 2009

Edit, Add, Appreciate Sunday

As posted on Caroline's blog (whatshappeningatmyhouse) Here are my choices for this week.
Edit one thing: Sorted out and passed on old primary school uniform of Mouse's (still in good condition) to a friends daughter still at primary.
Add something: Lavender, I have some growing in the front garden and every time I walk up or down the path I rub it in my hands to get the scent.
Appreciate something or someone already in your life: "Nuntie" Pat - a friend of my Mum's who is always there with a cuddle and words of comfort should I need them.

Some photo's for fun

Assorted glasses of water I have guzzled over my month. I was drinking about 12 - 30 glasses a day depending on which glass I was using. Not to mention mugs of hot water.

My much loved herbal teas that I am so delighted to be able to enjoy again

No.89 of my 101list is to post photo's of all completed tasks. As previously posted I am behind in this having completed 15 tasks but only published 6 photo's. So here is a couple to represent completeing No. 25 Drink water only for a month which was completed 13/8/09. That brings No.89 up to (7/101).

Some CSI stuff

GGOM was asking about the DNA spit kits my Babes has to carry as part of his work, (as a bus driver) So just for him and anyone else who may be interested here is a photo of same.

I am Sober!

Yes, I was quite merry after only 2 drinks but it was Cointreau (which is 40% proof). I really enjoyed them though (possibly more so after my month of only water) It was quite funny, I was sitting quietly enjoying my drink and reading my book (Key lime Pie Murder) whilst Babes was watching a movie, I got up to go get a tissue and I actually wobbled (and not just my flabby bits). What a lightweight.
GGOM had made me laugh with his comment about his wife having to undress him last time he got hammered, and it reminded me there is a photo of me taken after my 23rd birthday party where I'm lying passed out drunk still in my coat and clutching a chicken drumstick to my chest. Not a pretty sight but the kids think its hilarious. (May just scan and post it, give you all a laugh!)
Have finished reading another 2 books, I'm flying through them at the moment. "Key Lime Pie Murder" by Joanne Fluke; a good, if a bit predictable, murder mystery but with the added bonus of delicious cookie recipes. Made my mouth water frequently (not a good look, drooling whilst reading!). It's part of a whole series of books based on a woman who owns her own bakery and solves murders in her spare time. Seems a bit "Midsummer Murders" in that the small village has a very high murder rate but the characters are fun and it was an easy read. Will definitely look out for more in the series when I'm back at the library.
Also read "Murder Most Fab" by Julian Clary. Not sure about this one. He's a very descriptive writer and I could visualise the characters really easily and the story was full of twists and turns with lots of showbiz name dropping and luvvies. The main character is gay and the story is based on his life through 4 stages. When he is young and living with his mother, a left over flower power child (damaged, it would appear, from too many highs). His time as a rent boy and them becoming a famous TV star and finally his fall from grace, I found it an easy read but I'm undecided if I like it or not.

Thursday 13 August 2009

A cup of herbal tea!

Bliss my water challenge is over thank goodness. No.25 Drink only water for a month is completed (whoop whoop) It was fab to have a cup of orange & lotus blossom green tea this morning. It was the best I ever tasted. I've really missed my herbal teas.

I'm so proud of myself for completing this challenge even though it took a couple of attempts. Not one I'd rush to do again though, not that I don't enjoy water, but it's nice to be able to drink something else if I fancy it. Although, I will still be drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day just as I always have but I'll supplementing that with my herbal teas, juice, pop, milk or whatever takes my fancy.

Tonight I'm having alcohol (can't even remember when I last had a drink). Not sure what yet, despite very rarely drinking (might as well be teetotal really) I do have a well stocked drinks cupboard in case any guests want. Will post when I've had my tipple, although it's been so long I may be quite merry after just one!! so it might not be until tomorrow I post.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Major Rant

Babes is a bus driver, and his company wants to make a load of changes to working conditions which in a nutshell will mean more work over longer hours for less money. As a result the union have had them out on strike and working to rule and the like (none of which Babes has wanted but he will not cross a picket line)

It's a on going saga and the local paper has been adding fuel to the fire by reporting all sorts of rubbish regarding demands being made by the union and the drivers. The thing that is getting me all riled up is that for some reason some people think bus drivers are a lower class of citizen and therefore they have the right to abuse them. Calling them all sorts of disgusting names and throwing things at them. A little old lady who looked like butter wouldn't melt got on the bus screamed greedy bitch in the face of a young female driver (thanks to the headlines in the paper) and threw her newspaper in the drivers face. The poor girl had only been with the company for a few months and was so shocked she was trembling.

I will hold my hands up and say that before my hubby started working as a bus driver I complained like many others about the timetables (or sometimes apparent lack of them) but never directly to a driver and I was never rude to a driver or didn't say thank you when I got off the bus.

Having now seen it from the other side I can see that drivers can be easily thrown off schedule by not being able to get round a roundabout due to heavy traffic, or a hold up when a passenger having stood waiting for a bus waits until they get on it to count out the money needed for their fare (even when they know how much the fare will be) Buses are not supposed to move until all passengers are seated or standing safely. It only takes a hold up of 10 mins to throw the whole timetable off (that's how tight the timetables are). When there is 20 people at a bus stop waiting to get on it takes time to load them,(especially with the new ticket machines) and that's made longer if there's a buggy to load or a person with lots of shopping (my Babes is one of the good drivers who gets out to help mum's with their buggies and old ladies with their shopping carts). If a wheelchair user gets on the drivers need to get out and pull out the ramp to help them (not that its a problem but it all adds a little extra time on to the trip which can in turn make the buses run late)

Everyone is entitled to be hacked off at having to wait ages for a bus but why would it be acceptable to abuse the driver (and I'm not talking about moaning about the time spent waiting) as if they deliberately set out to run late and spoil every ones day. They don't like running late anymore than Joe Public likes it. You wouldn't believe the grief that the drivers can get sometimes.

Yesterday there were 2 buses running together, so in order to get back on time Babes was told to "blank up" (drop off only no pick ups) so that the other bus in front could pick up passengers allowing the bus Babes was driving to get ahead a bit and thereby putting the service back on time. So he stopped back from the stop to let passengers off and an older lady (although she was not behaving like a lady) came to get on Babes bus. He politely told her that the bus in front was picking up and she should get on it as he was dropping off only. She gave him a right mouthful and told him she would get on any effing bus she wanted. Babes told her that if she carried on swearing she would not be allowed on the bus (company policy) so she sat down still moaning and then he heard another passenger telling her to take his number and report him WTF!

Were you aware that drivers carry DNA swab kits as part of their uniform as they get spat at so much ? (although this has decreased since the kits were issued and some people prosecuted I believe) Nearly all buses are all fitted with CCTV cameras for driver/passenger protection, and the newest ones are also fitted with bandit screens. Babes has been shot at by an air rifle, had bricks thrown at the bus windows, some drugged up idiot once even tried to attack him through the small side window (he slammed the window shut on the guys arm, and that soon stopped him)

Another passenger had a right go at Babes because it was raining and she had got wet (the bus was on time too) because of course he had made it rain and made her come out without a jacket on.!!!!!

Now to balance the books as it were I will also admit that not every driver out there is a good one. Some of them can be rude and ignorant but there are more good than bad. Same goes for the passengers, Babes has some cracking regulars on his routes that he has a right laugh with.

Old ladies that give him sweeties (he could charm the birds down from the trees my Babes) young mums that thank him profusely for his help with unloading the buggies and or shopping, or holding on to their babies for them. Even a regular who he drops at the pub at lunchtime then picks him up again after 2 hours and he's off his face but still jovial and friendly. On a Friday or Saturday late shift he'll get the young lasses away into town for a night on the tiles begging to steal his tie or get a kiss, the usual flirting rubbish that groups of girls seem to do when they're boozy. (not that Babes minds that bit!!)

Anyway I've calmed down in the time it's taken me to write my rant so I'll go now and relax with a cup of hot water! (roll on tomorrow I think I may even have some alcohol to celebrate the end of the challenge) Sorry if I've bored you but sometimes I just get my dander up.

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Reading Frenzy

Sorry for the lack of posts have been engrossed in books. Have now finished both "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer, books 3 & 4 of the "Twilight" saga. (14/101)

I just couldn't put them down. Peanut starting reading them when I started book 2 and he finished reading book 3 last night whilst I finished book 4 this morning. Like me once he starts a book series he can't wait to get to through them all.

Got breakfast in bed from Babes so as I could finish reading (what a sweetie). Am getting desperate for a cup of tea now (water challenge almost over), I'm not really a tea hand only having a cup now and again but obviously because I can't I really want. (Isn't that always the way)

No.42 Put all my CD's on the computer; is now completed. Photo to follow shortly. The kids and Babes are never done connecting their iPods to the computer to upload and update. It's quite funny how so much of my music (moaned about when I played it) is now on their iPods.


Watched "Flushed away" with Mouse last night. That movie is so funny (really didn't fancy it when it was in the cinema) I think it's the singing slugs that do it. The "Le Frog" character is played by Jean Reno (the French Army guy in Godzilla) I love his accent.

Anyway time for lunch so I'll post more later. Corn on the Cob for lunch Yum Yum!

Wednesday 5 August 2009

More books and more 101

Finished reading "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer today and have rented the 3rd book "Eclipse" from the library, so will start it tonight. I am loving these books, can't put them down. I think the 2nd film is out later in the year. That's me up to 12 books in my 101 challenge.

No61. Try a new food once a month - this hasn't been happening regularly enough but today I had kidney beans and flagelot (think that's how it's spelled) beans in a bean salad first time for both so I'm up to (5/33)

Miscalculated my water challenge days so I have in fact only got 8 days left. (Yay!) Having restarted on the 13th of July and doing it for 31 days (month). Still haven't decided who's getting the £10 fail payment but will sort it soon. Thought I might give it to a local "Big Issue" seller.

No.88 Post a photo for every task completed. Have noticed that I have fallen behind with this having actually completed 13 tasks and only posted 6 photos. Will rectify this as soon as possible.

Mum Quiz

I read over on "Whatshappeningatmyhouse" a quiz she'd seen on another blog for your kids. I thought it was fun so asked my 3 kids to complete it. Here is the quiz and their answers. Should perhaps point out that Peanut is 21, Napkin is 18 and Mouse is 12. My comments on their responses are in the brackets.

1. What is something Mum always says to you?
(P) Give us a hug
(N) Will you be home for tea?
(M) You're beautiful

2. What makes Mum happy?
(P) When we're happy
(N) Family Outings
(M) Reading a book in peace

3. What makes Mum sad?
(P) When we're sad
(N) Thinking about Grandma
(M) Being ill

4. How does your Mum make you laugh?
(P) When she says count to 10 without laughing
(N) Telling me to count to 10 without laughing then making faces
(M) By singing (I'm so tone deaf)

5. What was your Mum like as a child?
(P) Trouble causer (gee thanks hun! think you'll find that was your Uncle Ewan)
(N) Me
(M) Very like me

6. How old is your Mum?
(P) 44
(N) 43 (don't you guys know I stayed at 39!)
(M) Ancient

7. How tall is your Mum?
(P) 5ft 2"
(N) Don't know (I'm actually 5ft 6")
(M) 5ft 9"

8. What is her favourite thing to do?
(P) Moan at her children
(N) Watch CSI Miami
(M) Read a book

9. What does Mum do when you're not around?
(P) Play PC games
(N) Tidy more
(M) Housework

10. If your Mum became famous what would it be for?
(P) Writing a book about domestic things (eh?)
(N) Her blog
(M) Being cool

11. What is Mum really good at?
(P) Reading
(N) Writing
(M) Being my Mum (aw)

12. What is Mum not very good at?
(P) Singing
(N) Jewel Quest! (sadly all very true)
(M) Telling jokes

13. What does Mum do for a job?
(P) Clean the house
(N) Housewife
(M) Her job is being my Mum

14. What is your Mum's favourite food?
(P) Mushrooms
(N) Asparagus
(M) Bolognaise

15. If your Mum was given 1 wish what would it be?
(P) To have all the debt cleared
(N) Win the lottery
(M) My Grandma still alive

Quite interesting answers I thought. We cetainly had a laugh. Have a go with your kids or parents and see how you get on.

Kx

Monday 3 August 2009

No34. Read 101 books

Just finished reading "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. Had already seen the film, my daughters are big into vampire tales, or rather ones with "good" vampires.

Anyway my niece Rhea recommended it to me and I must say I really enjoyed it. Found it way more interesting than the film, although I like the soundtrack a lot. Have the second book "New Moon" too so will make a start on that tonight.

Only 11 days to go on my water challenge, am beginning to crave a glass of milk, not sure why as obviously I have milk with my cereal, when I eat that for breakfast.

Saturday 1 August 2009

Computer Games

Just to even the books, this is a post probably more suited to men.

I do not like computer games!. Don't get me wrong I've tried them. When Babes got his "PlayStation" and ventured in to the world of "Spyro the Dragon" I was intrigued, joined in the fun and had a go. The fact that the kids and Babes kept laughing their heads off at my efforts (it really does work much better if you move your whole body and not just the control when you want the dragon to turn or jump!) did little to further my interest in the game so I gave up.

When he got a "Gameboy Advance" I played "Tetris" for about a week then again lost interest. I had decided it was not for me this world of technology it's a man's and young peoples area of expertise.

When the "Colin Macrae Rally" games came out I watched intently for maybe 3 days as they (Babes and Peanut) raced each other in various cars and I even watched for a couple of hours when they battled it out in "Lord of the Rings" but on the whole they bore me. I cannot see the point in spending your time repeating tasks/levels over and over again to entertain. The most I ever do is very occasionally play "Sudoku" on my phone if I'm waiting in the car to pick someone up and even then, only if I haven't got a book.

So, when Babes said I've downloaded this game for you on to the computer I grudgingly said (as cheerfully as I could muster, giving the ongoing saga of my previous post) I would have a go. It's called "Jewel Quest II". Well now I'm bloody furious at him as I'm hooked on the damn thing.

The first night I played it, I was up to 4.30a.m. (I know, I can't believe it myself) playing the bloody thing. It's like I sit down at the computer to do the banking or blogging or research and it's there, calling to me (kerri, Kerri ,KERRI you know you want me). Imagine being hooked how pathetic am I, but I can't walk away, I MUST complete it.

Since today is such a wash out here, and I've done my morning chores, I'm going on again. The kids are all occupied, Babes is blowing shit up on his "X Box" and the dogs are resting after their morning romp. If I can just complete the sodding thing I can forget about it and leave it alone.

Right now though, I'm like a moth to a flame, "I can't help it, the light is just so pretty" If I'm not back blogging within a week, send out the search parties (or perhaps the Dustbuster) as I will be stuck in the computer chair with my hands glued to the mouse (computer one, not my daughter)eyes propped open with matchsticks, covered in cobwebs. Kx

Warning - ladies only post!

OK guys you've been warned this is a post about downstairs problems so if you don't want to know the score look away now!

Right, what is going on in my body! All my life my monthly visits have been bad. Getting worse after each birth. I have a 3 week, full 7 day cycle and it knocks me sideways for the first 2 days every time. Now I've come to terms with this, it's predictable, reliable, you could set your watch kinda thing.

However, last month my "friend" arrived late, visited for only 3 days, and didn't make much of an effort to join in the fun. Then 10 days later back she came with a vengeance. Hot water bottle, and painkillers time like normal, so I'm thinking must have been just a blip. NO, she only stayed 4 days and then took off again. Am I reaching the dreaded "M" word. OMG surely not. I do not want to venture in to this world of mood swings (Babes says I do that anyway), hot flushes, HRT and god knows what else.

I already have odd hairs sprouting in "manly" places i.e. fingers, toes chin etc, but as so many of my friends also do and I have an excellent pair of tweezers, I can live with this. The weight fluctuations and acne ( is my body hankering back to puberty, I mean really!) are not so acceptable side effects. The good news is I may be about to move away and leave my friend (after all I've been loyal for nearly 30 years) but do I really want to have to make new friends instead! I don't think so!!

Any wise woman words of knowledge or comfort would be gratefully accepted. Then again if you just want laugh your head off at my predicament that's fine too - just remember like the "Nike Belly" (or was it Reebok) it's "gonna get you" too! (and yes I mean you Miss Holly, I can hear that tittering from here)

Grumpy Chaotic Kerri signing off, so it's safe to look now guys.