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Today is my Birthday so I thought I'd show you some of my lovely gifts. I got beautiful handmade cards from my kids and some money plus

lovely body scrub set from my Uncle Billy

gorgeous bag from my bruv Ewan, Sandra, Holly, Rhea and Fern


excellent book I wanted from Babes

yummy jelly snakes and turkish delight from Mouse

neat candy bouquet from Peanut

and my favourite a set of vouchers from Napkin, which I can trade in at a time of my choosing. An excellent gift idea because its so personal and it didn't cost her a penny (she is a poor student after all) She also bought me a bag of my favourite jelly babies but I'm afraid I've scoffed all of them already!!

Turned over a new leaf....

OK its more tree than leaf but you get the idea

My Mother used to always say just "turn over a leaf" when something had gone wrong or upset me, or if she wanted me to change a behaviour, like an untidy bedroom. In other words put it behind you and move on. So I am turning over my new leaf today (granted it's been turned over so many times it's in danger of disintegrating but who's counting)

I weighed myself yesterday and, whilst it is nowhere near where I need it to be, it was not quite as bad as I expected. In fact I'm actually 2lb down from what I was last time so that's actually a boost.

I have taken a couple of days to list everything I want to do and a timescale, a realistic one, that is achievable. I love making lists. Having done that, I am now full of positive energy and raring to go (it's that new leaf I'm telling you, it's got magical powers!) (and no it's not one of THOSE leaf's !)

Menu Planning done, shopping list done, list of things I want to achieve each day this week done, I am so organised it's like a military operation. So "Operation Arse Kick" has commenced with much approval from General Babes, who says the watch word is Proactive not Reactive. This may be a long campaign but we will be victorious!!! (Oooh I feel all Winston Churchill)

So once more into the breach or something like that anyway.

Love is in the air.........

Babes and I with my big Bruv Ewan, my bezzies Donna & Lynda and cutey pie Shopaholly!

OMG can't believe how baby faced we all look. 23 years on and we're all a little bit fatter (some of us a lot) a little bit greyer (in Babes case a lot - he says it's not a hard life he's had but a hard wife! - cheeky sod) but I don't know if we're any wiser!!!

Had a great day yesterday what with our anniversary and my ordination. Once the ordination ceremony is over the other Elders come out in a procession to shake your hand to welcome you to service. I have known a lot of them since childhood and they kept saying things like "your Mum would be so proud" and "Mum will be looking down on you" needless to say I was blubbing like a right idiot. What an affront!

Anyway, we went to a local Chinese restaurant for lunch to celebrate. (bargain, as we got 2 meals for free thanks to coupons). It was lovely, then we spent the afternoon as a family just vegging out. Bliss!

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just a quickie!

A lot of blogs I've been reading lately have been full of photo's so, I thought I'd jump on the band wagon so to speak ( plus I've been renaming pics and found a few I want to share):

Clan MacNab burial ground at Killin in Scotland. Babes and I were enjoying a three day break when we came accross this, but the visitor centre was closed so we couldn't get the keys.

This was taken at Loch Carron, if you look closely you can see a stick man standing in the middle No? (must just be me then!)

This sunset was taken out of our upstairs back window, love the way the clouds are and the colours. We get some spectacular sunsets sometimes. Hope you like them.