No.50 - Go to the cinema once a week.

As part of my 101 challenge we were to go to the cinema, once a week, taking advantage of our monthly subscription to the cinema. We no longer have these subscriptions, having stopped them last year in an effort to save money.
But thanks to Lovefilm we are now seeing new movies at home. (OK it's not when they are brand new but it's cheaper than our cinema passes) So I will continue to list new movies watched, only they will be viewed in the "cinema" in our front room.

With that in mind here is the new movies watched in the last 2 months:

Monsters Vs Aliens - A good family romp - enjoyed this.

Observe and Report - Trash, had enjoyed Mall Cop thought this might be good too - Wrong! -Like Jack Black's Year One - painful to watch, and with far too much profanity just for the sake of it. Even my son (who normally loves this type of crap) found it dull and a waste of time.

Angels & Demons - Loved this, great plot, great acting especially Ewan McGreggor. I haven't seen Da Vinci Code but will definitely give it a look in now.

Bandslam - A coming of age type thing - liked this, was funny and quirky loved Lisa Kudrow's character, and the music was good too. Was blubbing at one point though, so you may need a hankie in your pocket when you watch it.

Books read

Have been feeling run down this last few days. My body has decided to reject most of what I eat and drink at an alarming rate! enough said. It has given me time to catch up on some reading though, as I haven't managed to venture out of the house.

I finished reading "Octopussy and the Living Daylights" by Ian Fleming. It took me ages despite being such short stories. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, I just kept falling asleep after 1 or 2 pages. Not as good a read as "Dr No" but I did enjoy it.

Also read "The five people you meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. What a book, I couldn't put it down. Apow said it was one of her favourite books and it's definitely joining my top ten list. If you haven't read it do. It is wonderful.

Poor Napkin was let down really badly by some so called friends this week. I never really liked them but it's her choice who her friends are. Just makes me want to scoop her up and shut out all the pain. (also makes me want to go throttle the little f****** but I will restrain myself). Big time TLC is called for - which in her case, the solution is a bowl of Bernard Matthews Mini Kiev's (bleugh), but sometimes processed muck is needed.

Personally my favourite comfort food is "McVities digestives" spread with "Philadelphia Cheese" (light of course). What is your favourite comfort food?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Hectic weekend again

This weekend our beautiful Napkin turned 18, whoop whoop. She celebrated in style by having 2 nights out with different groups of friends. Needless to say she is still in bed sleeping it off. Our son Peanut also decided to have a "boys night in" on Saturday. I can't remember the last time our house was so full. The doorbell was going off every 10 mins (perhaps a slight exaggeration but at least every 12!).

Why is it that teenagers all come round to 1 persons house to get ready. Surely getting ready at home means you have more space and don't have to fight over the bathroom. Napkin had 6 people here getting ready on Saturday night and 8 on Sunday night (2 of which had showers here). Add to this Peanut's mates (10 of them at one point) all trying to use the bathroom.

Then we had the crashers, Peanut had 2 mates staying over, and Napkin had 3 on Saturday and 1 last night. There were heaps of (well some) people invading the kitchen looking for breakfast/cups of tea/someone to talk to as others were still asleep. Don't get me wrong I'm glad their friends are comfortable enough to join us but it does lead to more chaos which I'm supposed to be reducing!

Our snake eggs all turned out to be infertile, but our chosen expert, Jodie from "East Coast Exotics" tells us that it was like a trial run and she should lay more eggs in 4 - 5 weeks. According to the book rat snakes can lay anything from 5 to 40+ eggs in a single clutch. I hope Robin's is a small clutch.

Finished reading 2 more books this weekend. You want to do what? by Karen Sullivan, a book about parenting dilemmas - excellent read. Also, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, a book Holly loaned me about daring to be different. It's only 192 pages long so I read it in a morning, it's a quirky little story and most enjoyable.

101 in progress

No.19 Visit an extended family member. Went yesterday to visit another of my Mum's cousins. She lives in Maud a teeny village about 25 miles north west of Aberdeen. We had another gorgeous day for driving and the countryside was just beautiful.

She made us a lovely lunch of summer holiday soup (N061. try a new food every month) served with oatcakes and fresh raspberries with yogurt. Delicious. She grows her own veg (though in much smaller quantities now she's in her 70's) and gave me some peas in the pod, they were oh so sweet and juicy. She also gave me some to take home to Babes (they're his favourite) and I did just manage to resist the temptation to scoff them on the way home.

"Summer holiday soup" is a vegetable soup made with carrot, onion, parsnip, broccoli, leek and courgette all whizzed up in the blender. It was really yummy and I will be trying to make it myself very soon.

Got some seeds from her purple lupin for my garden. Lupins are my favourite flower and I adore all the different colours. In my ideal garden I would have loads of lupins running like a rainbow up the sides of my path.

Catch up

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days, but it's been hectic. On Friday I went to see Harry Potter (again!) with Napkin. She really enjoyed it and although I did too, I must admit every time I see it I think about more things that have been missed out. I know they couldn't include everything (the movie would be twice as long) but as I said before there does seem to be some vital stuff missing. Anyway had a lovely one on one day with Napkin.

Saturday, we met my Dad for lunch at the local Sainsbugs. They do really nice simple food and it's easy for us all to get to. It was really nice all being together (except Peanut but more on him later). Spent a lovely afternoon finishing reading my book "Dr No" by Ian Fleming, whilst my Dad and Babes slept. Having seen the film Dr No many times but never got round to reading the book, I was engrossed. I quite enjoy 007 novels, not just the ones by Fleming but also ones written by other authors in the same style as Fleming after his death. John Gardner in particular, my Dad gave me one of his to read when I was hospitalised during my pregnancy with Peanut, which I loved.

Mouse was having a sleepover with a friend at ours so it was a very noisy and late night, with fashion parades, make up studios and face packs galore. I eventually fell asleep the back of 2a.m. leaving them settled but still chatting endlessly. Oh to be 12 again (not bloody likely).

Peanut couldn't join us for lunch as he had an appointment to get another tattoo. He has 6 now. (I have still to get my first, it's on my 101 list) His latest is the Alien/Predator Hybrid. I will post a picture once it settles down in a couple of days. My favourite though, is his face hugger alien.

Having finished my James Bond in the afternoon I started a new book at bedtime. The School for Husbands by Wendy Holden. It is brilliant, I couldn't put it down and having fed and watered the girls when they eventually got up this morning, I sat and read till I finished it. What a great read. The things the husbands have to do is so funny. Couldn't see my Babes doing it though, not that I'd want him too. Still that's me up to 8/101 books so am very happy. Water only going well too, up to 7/31 now.

101 progress

No19. Visit an extended family member. Today, I took my Aunt and we drove out to visit my Mum's cousins in New Deer. They became grandparents for the first time 8 months ago and, shame on me, I've never been to see the baby. What a cutie pie almost made me broody again.

Anyway it was a lovely drive out and the weather was nice the whole time we were there. It was super to catch up on whats been happening with them. We had a lovely lunch of maccarroni. It's so easy for families to loose touch especially if there's a generation gap. I'm really glad I made this one of my 101 challenges as it will strenghthen the ties and get us all close again.

Also called in past my brother on our way home. It was lovely to see the changes he has made to his home. The garden patch, that Shopaholly posted about digging earlier in the year, is now full of lovely fresh vegetables. I am hoping we will get a taste of his potatoes when they are ready. Babes and I envy them there lovely garden, and are setting about working out where in our garden we could plant veg for next season.

No35. Write 101 real paper letters - wrote my first 1 today to an old family friend in Blantyre. Haven't seen her in a couple of years although we do occasionly phone each other. It was so nice to write all the news and ask about her family. I look forward to receiving her letter in return.

Nearly fell by the wayside and had a cup of tea but remembered in the nick of time and had hot water instead, so now 4 days completed.

Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince

Well I really enjoyed it, but there's a couple of bits that I would have liked to see included that weren't and there's bits added that weren't in the book, still well worth seeing though.

Yates said that they were going to focus more on the romance and lighter things in the book given that The Half Blood Prince is a very dark story. There is certainly plenty of laughs.

Won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book, or for those yet to see the film, but it will be interesting to see how bits that I consider to be crucial to make sense of things that happen in the "Deathly Hallows" are handled in the next movie. Several characters who play a vital role in the final stages seem to have been missed in this instalment and indeed from the "Order of the Phoenix" movie. Perhaps since the final book is being covered by two movies it will all come right in the end.

That said, I am still off to see the movie again tonight with Babes. He was working this morning and couldn't come with Peanut and myself. Napkin was supposed to be going with Babes tonight but can't make it, there's no point in wasting the ticket though is there!! (I know I'm very sad!!!)
By the way I made certain I wouldn't slip up today, and took a bottle of water with me to the cinema.

Failed again !!

As I said we went to the cinema yesterday, there had been a slight panic before hand as having set off to pick up Shopaholly, I discovered that Peanut had used all the petrol in the car and the car was spluttering and kangarooing all over the place. Managed to get Holly and make it to a garage before completely running out but as a result we were later than arriving at the cinema.

Having then queued for our tickets it was a mad dash to get drinks before the movie started. So what do I do - without even thinking I ordered (and drunk without thinking about it) a bloody diet coke. GGGRRRRRRR am so pissed off at myself. My water challenge completely ruined. I'm not even that fond of diet coke, so it's not as if I really fancied one. Just force of habit as when I go to the cinema with Babes he always has a diet coke.

I am restarting the challenge today and will just do 31 days from today (which means I'll finish on 13th August). But a £10 forfeit will be paid to a charity and I will tell you when I decide which one I'm doing.

101 Movies

Yesterday, Shopaholly, Mouse and I went to see "My sister's keeper"based on the book by Jodi Piccoult. A very difficult subject to cover and I feel they did it well, certainly the young actress playing Katie was amazing.

I really enjoyed the movie, although it is definitely a chick flick and there was crying involved (several people were actually sobbing, noisy toads). There only seemed to be 1 guy in (with his other half or whatever) that I saw, and he left when it got to the really weepy bits and I never saw him come back in (was it too much for him I wonder!)

Now I won't spoil it for anyone, but if you've read the book don't expect it to be the same. I haven't read the book but Shopaholly had and she was disappointed with the changes made. Also Mouse who is 12 found it quite slow, even though she really fancied it and other young cinema goers seemed to be quite fidgety as well, so perhaps not one to take pre-teens to. If you haven't seen it, give it a go but make sure you take a hankie.

Year One

Babes, Peanut and I went to see this today. We have cinema passes, which you pay a set amount a month for, and you can go to the cinema as often as you like. Over the years we have seen some fantastic movies, some good, some OK and even some bad but only twice have we seen a movie that we didn't even want to sit through.

"Kissing Jessica Stein" was the first and "Year One" is the other. This movie is the biggest pile of shit. We sat through to the end because Peanut likes Jack Black but even he thought it was pretty rough.

I love silly innuendo filled comedy such as carry on.... and Monty python but personally I think Jack Black's comedy is just too out there. Seeing someone eating (supposed) shit and someone peeing on their face is not entertaining in my view. The best bit about the movie were the outtakes at the end as the credits rolled.

There are probably heaps of people in blog land who will totally disagree with me but this my blog space and I'm going rant about it, so there!

OK ranting finished, on the plus side today, I have reached my first weight goal (No1. on my 101 list) of 1 stone off and am absolutely delighted, long may this continue. My water only days are up to (7/31) and I'm up to 98,000 grains of rice donated only 3,000 to go to complete the challenge.

More 101...Menu planning

N052. Set up menu planning and stick to it - I do this more or less all the time now, but as this is a month for concentrating on my 101 list, I am going to carry on doing it till the end of the month and then if I'm still sticking to it I'll mark it as completed. So just to give you an idea of the kind of menus in our house here is this weeks one:

Sat - Pork chops with new potatoes and green beans.
Sun - Chicken breasts with a chopped tomato, pepper and chili marinade, mashed potatoes peas
and carrots.
Mon - Tuna and cheese salad with new potatoes and hard boiled eggs (no meat Monday)
Tue - Pork with apricots served on a bed of rice.
Wed - Tuna pie with peas and mixed beans.
Thu - Pasta salad.
Fri - Spag bol (babes favourite meal)

Saw Night at the Museum 2 at the cinema yesterday, making my movie challenge (11/101) very funny if you haven't seen it, do.

I'm Melting.....

I've melted 12lbs off (in total not this week) and my week is not up till Tuesday. Am so chuffed with myself, almost my first stone. No1 on my 101 list lose weight.

Watched a movie today called 11.14 what a pile of trash. Concept sounded great, all these strangers lives interacting at 11.14 p.m only it was mega pants. Was supposed to be a thriller, but we were laughing at it thinking, is it meant to be funny? Trailer looked good so added it to my lovefilm rental list. Won't be recommending it to anyone that's for sure.

More 101 progress:
No42. Put all my Cd's on to computer. This is well underway, everything up to N is on and should be able to get the rest on before the end of the week. Think I might sell some of them once they're all on, get some extra pennies and free up some storage space.

No25. Drink only water for a month. Going well 5days down 26 to go.

Been waiting for 3 of the cats to come in for the night but am getting knackered so will try one last time , and if they don't come in they can stay out all night. No sign so that's it I'm off to bed and they can sleep in the rabbits hutch (the rabbits died before Xmas) Bloody dirty stop outs.

Ice Age 3

Just been to see this as a reward for Mouse as that is her finished primary school forever. Can't believe my baby has grown up so fast. So another one off the 101 movies list

Anyway movie very good, not quite as hilarious as previous 2 I thought, but still really funny. Do recommend it as a must see especially for those who are still in touch with the little kid inside them.

More 101......

No31. Organise my garden - Having neglected the garden for the last year and a bit it looks bloody awful. Overgrown and in serious need of TLC, I made a start today with the help of Peanut. Our front garden is quite long and has two big lawn areas with the path running down the middle, and borders around the edges. The grass has only been cut twice so far this season so beautiful yellow flowers (OK weeds) have sprouted up everywhere. Peanut started with the mower and after only one line/strip the mower started smoking (poor bloody thing giving up in protest I shouldn't wonder).

He is now going round with the strimmer in order to cut down the really long bits so we can rake it up and then try the mower again. Fingers crossed, I can't afford a new mower at the moment and may have to investigate hiring goats/sheep/cows to maintain my lawn. I'm sure the neighbours will love this, NOT, at least we'd get free manure for the roses.

More 101 in progress

No25. Drink only water for a month - I have failed this task before but am attempting again this month so 1 day down 30 to go.

No.37 Learn to blog - I am going to mark this as completed now, as I no longer need to call on shopaholly every time I want to do stuff. You may have noticed I even updated my layout (new lists) without her help. Simple stuff I know but I was completely useless before.

No54. Get my puppy to stop chewing things - This is another one completed as Hamish is a changed dog (well as far as destroying stuff goes) I blogged before about how it came about so I won't bore you again but well done Hamish. (see above photo of our clever boy)

No90. Donate 101,000 grains of rice - I love this challenge I am up to 90,600 grains and learning about famous paintings at the same time. I can now spot a Franz Marc or Edgar Degas a mile off (as they say)