sunday morning call

World Book Night

2011-03-03T22:23:00.001Z

It's the first World Book Night on Saturday and I have been chosen to be a book giver. I chose John le Carre's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold as I hoped it would appeal to a wider range of people. It's been a long hard slog, not helped by a terrible WBN website, but my books are ready to go with the unique ID numbers and my name written inside (48 times!) I just have to write the location when I distribute them. And don't they look lovely?

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Happy Birthday To Me

2011-01-30T19:25:00.001Z

It was my birthday yesterday, a day I dread. This year, however, I enjoyed it. I had a wee drink a few days ago to celebrate, and yesterday I just enjoyed the day. I went shopping with my youngest and we had a nice lunch. I was given lovely presents from my Mum and sister. In true Mum-style, she has bought all the same presents for my sister, who has her birthday in 10 days. And she tried all the tricks in the book to try and find out what she'll be getting. She may be turning 35 but she has the child-like excitement of a 5 year old. She was disappointed, I gave nothing away. But the homemade card given to me by the other half was the best present by far.

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Night Shift Blues

2010-10-25T03:33:00.001+01:00

It’s half past 3 in the morning and I’m struggling to stay awake. I’m night shift tonight so I have to put off sleeping for as long as possible, or I’ll have a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving 9 hours of nocturnal fun at work. So I’m catching up on tv on v+ and surfing t’internet, and longing for my cosy, comfortable bed. If I stay up until 6am I’ll get a nice sleep (fingers crossed).

John Lautner - Desert Hot Springs Motel - 1947 - Jan-Richard Kikkert - Picasa Web Albums

2010-08-10T02:55:00.001+01:00

via picasaweb.google.com

I watched the documentary on John Lautner, and his beautiful creations. This is one of the rooms in the Desert Hot Springs Motel which he designed in 1943. I would love to stay here, each room has its own enclosed private patio, bliss.

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Untitled

2010-07-30T20:47:00.001+01:00

There was an article in the local weekly paper about Steve, and how Leona and Steve's family and friends, the Ministry of Defence and the community have been such a great support in such a trying time. The donations made to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines charities at Steve's funeral came to almost £1300, which is a fantastic amount. It's an indication of how well respected both Steve and Leona are, and the money will be put to good use helping men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Cpl Stephen Walker

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Things To Occupy Time

2010-07-04T14:35:00.001+01:00

From where I'm lying on my bed I can see this pile of things. It's like a to do list, taunting me. Two of the books are urgently in need of some attention, they are Book Group books. The box sets of The Wire were a huge, but enjoyable, distraction from said books. And I have made the mistake of starting the 'Millenium' trilogy by Stieg Larsson, and I can't put the 2nd of the trilogy down. I've read half of it since yesterday! And the last book in the trilogy is silently calling me to read it from the top of the pile. I must resist. I have no chance! If you want a good read for the Summer, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is brilliant, but be prepared to have the uncontrolable urge to read all 3 books in rapid succession. Yes, they are THAT GOOD. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

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Vintage Car Show part 7

2010-06-27T19:29:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 6

2010-06-27T19:28:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 6

2010-06-27T19:24:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 5

2010-06-27T19:14:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 4

2010-06-27T18:45:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 3

2010-06-27T18:16:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 2

2010-06-27T17:54:00.001+01:00

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Vintage Car Show part 1

2010-06-27T16:45:00.001+01:00

Before giving the ceiling the first (of many) coats of paint I took a well deserved break from my changing rooms groundhog day, and took the boys down to the Vintage Car Show at Leven Beach. The weather was great, which made the thought of more decorating nightmarish. Luckily it went overcast as we were leaving, it's worse being stuck indoors working when it's nice outside.

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Changing Rooms

2010-06-26T20:36:00.001+01:00

It took me 8 hours to get the old wallpaper off and that was using a steam stripper. The previous tenant had written a date on the bare wall, 1985. I think there was about 20 years worth of paint on top of the old paper. I'm starting to feel like I'm in a Changing Rooms groundhog day. I'm so impatient, I just want it finished yesterday!
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40 Commando Royal Marines

2010-06-25T19:14:00.001+01:00

My sister's best friend married a Marine, after a whirlwind romance, they had a secret wedding 14 years ago. They have a gorgeous little girl, and Leona and Steve were fantastic parents, she's a wee smasher. Last week I attended Steve's funeral. He had been posted to Sangin in Afghanistan. I've never been to a military funeral before, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but they gave him a great send off. There were so many Marines there, and I'm sure there were many more that were unable to attend. He was such a well respected soldier, and obviously highly thought of by everyone he worked with. But first and foremost, he was a husband and father, and irreplaceable in the hearts of his family. I can't imagine the heartache of losing someone so dear, so loved, and so respected by all. May he rest in peace ٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠

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My new bedroom.

2010-05-20T14:21:00.001+01:00

The room is completely finished!!

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All Done.

2010-05-17T19:12:00.001+01:00

The room has a carpet!! Just the finishing touches to shop for. Going to sleep now, in my nice, not scary room :)
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The (almost) Finished Room

2010-05-16T12:48:00.001+01:00

Just the carpet to get laid, then shopping (yay) for blinds and a lampshade. Thank God it's done :)
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The Room, Half Finished

2010-05-11T18:20:00.001+01:00

I've hung the lining paper on 2 and a half walls, at the expense of my back! I'm now lying in bed in agony. But as soon as I decide on a colour of paint I'll plod on until it's done. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

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I'm In Heaven

2010-05-01T16:41:00.000+01:00

and the reason? I have a shiny new toy, a Virgin Media + box. As I work a shift that would make even the hardiest early-morning person crumble, I decided to upgrade my VM box. I'm sick of missing every worthwhile piece of tv (and God knows, it's not a lot) because I'm asleep by 7.30pm at the latest. I'm a tv addict as much as I am a bookworm, I only wish I could read and watch tv at the same time. So for the last 2 days I have enjoyed watching programs I usually miss, or have to watch when repeated. I wonder if the novelty will ever wear off. After I organised the installation, I told No.1 son, and said that if we buy an HD ready tv we would also get HD channels as it's an HD box. He proceeded to inform me that our tv is HD ready. Doh!

On a side note, I have lost another half a stone, although I'm craving chocolate and Indian takeaway, I've been very good. I even managed my nephews birthday party without eating all the cakes my Mum had made. And they all looked delicious. I think my Mum is a Nigella clone.

Sugar gave us a fright last weekend. She had a seizure. Scariest thing EVER! The vet said we'll just have to see if she has any more, and I've been watching her like a hawk ever since. She's been fine so far, so fingers crossed. They say that a dog has no recollection of a seizure, but how do they know that? Did they sit a dog down after one and ask if it remembered anything? Bark once for yes :)

Choices

2010-04-01T10:26:00.000+01:00

I am not good with choices. I often make the wrong choice, be it clothes, men or just life choices in general. My Mum and sister are both fond of saying I may be intelligent but have no common sense at all. It's not hurtful, it's true, and I can't seem to change. That's probably how I ended up divorced after 3 years of marriage. And how I need to lose so much weight. Cream cake or ryvita, I will make the wrong choice.

My new dilemma is happening every day. I bought new glasses, my prescription has changed, but only in one eye, what's that about? At the opticians, there were so many to choose from, which isn't usual, I often have nothing to choose from, I just don't suit any. But this time I struggled, and they had an offer on, 2 pairs, I was in hell. I finally narrowed it down to 2 pairs, and fretted for 5 days while I waited for them to come in. And now they are here, I still love them both. And every morning I can't decide which pair to wear.

This is pair no.1. They are Jai Kudo, and they're classed as red, but I think they're burgundy.

This is pair no.2. They are Cosmopolitan, and they look black, but they're navy.

I've been alternating between them, I don't know if I can handle the stress of deciding every day. I wonder if I would get away with wearing them both at the same time.

Lost A Stone!!

2010-03-30T12:53:00.001+01:00

I started a diet 7 weeks ago. Since my operation a year ago my weight has just ballooned. And now I have high blood pressure, and none of my clothes fit, I decided it was time to lose some weight. I was spurred on by my sister, who blurted out in front of 3 people, that I didn't look like me anymore. It was the nicest way she could say that I was FAT! Luckily, the 3 people were all cousins, and although I was hurt, it gave me the kick in the butt I needed. My sis felt guilty and turned up the next day with a bunch of flowers to say sorry. The flowers were in a vase on the windowsill for a week, and I referred to them as my fat flowers.

My work does discounts on stuff all the time, and there was one for money of Weight Watchers online subscription. As I work such weird times, online is probably best, I'm usually in bed by 7pm, and 4 days a week I'm up at 3am, not good for making classes. It's going really well, and I've lost 1 stone and 2lbs. Still got loads to go, but I've done it before so I'm optimistic.

The Damn Headaches

2010-03-25T11:42:00.000Z

I had a killer headache again last week. So bad that I left work early and lay down holding my head and not moving or breathing too hard. On the upside, it only lasted 36 hours, relatively short for me. But I've had enough. I went back to the doctor, and he's now decided it's migraines. So no more anti-depressants (yay) and bring on the beta-blockers. I am wondering if he's just using a hit or miss diagnosis technique, and by trying various pills and potions, might finally hit the right one. A modern day witch doctor methinks. So, feeling a bit like a guinea pig, prescription in hand, I'm off to the chemist.

My book for book club came yesterday. I'm looking forward to reading it, but I'm in the middle of another book, which I want to finish first. It's written in a Glaswegian dialect, tricky, but I'm getting the swing of it now. Book club is in 36 days, I hope I read it in time.

Google Chrome

2010-03-16T14:50:00.000Z

For a while I have used Mozilla Firefox as my browser, Internet Explorer is rubbish. It crashes all the time and runs really slow. I was happy with it, but after I changed my email account to Gmail, I discovered all the wonderful products Google offer. So I decided to try Google's internet browser, Google Chrome and it is brilliant. You can change the theme of the browser, and just now I'm using a Cath Kidston theme, all pink and flowery. And I just discovered the newly released extensions to the browser. Here are my top extensions.

Web Of Trust - It rates the safety of sites, and stops you landing on dangerous sites.
Chrome Bird - A tab drops down and you can work your Twitter account without leaving the page you're on. It alerts you to new tweets too.
Google Mailchecker - Just like Chrome Bird, an icon next to the address bar alerts you when you have new mail, and one click opens up a tab with your Gmail.
Dayhiker for Google calender - Another tab drop, with your Google calender events to hand.
Tab Menu - A tab drops a vertical list of the pages you have opened to skip between tabs quicker and close them with one click.
Chromepad - A notepad in a drop down tab to write notes on, saves finding a pen and paper.
Xmarks - It saves all your bookmark so you can access them from any computer by logging in. Good if you use more than one computer like me.
Feedly - My absolute favourite. It grabs all the sites you subscribe to, and the blogs you follow, and puts them on one page that looks like a magazine cover. It's a fancy Google Reader.

I can't understand why people plod on with Internet Explorer when there are so many more options out there. It took me a while to realise that there were other option, so if this blog opens even just one person's eyes to the wealth of choice out there, then my good deed for the day is done.

The Regent

2010-03-13T20:57:00.000Z

An old building that used to house a Gala bingo hall has been restored to its former glory, a cinema called The Regent. A non-profit making group, which had been running in church halls in Leven, secured a year long lease on the building after the bingo hall closed.

It's a fantastic building, with lots of the original art deco features still in place. Volunteers have been toiling away for the last 2 months aided by lots of donations of cash and materials from local businesses and generous individuals. The grand opening was last night, with a premier of I Know You Know starring Robert Carlyle. The opening was attended by the film producer and was a great success.

Today I took the kids to the Saturday Matinee, and it was really good. Such a lot of hard work has paid off, and hopefully it will continue for a long time. There has been no cinema in Levenmouth for a long time, and recently if you wanted to see a film, you had to make a 25 mile trip to Odeon, which is very expensive. There are some children who haven't ever seen a film on a big screen for that reason. There is a cinema in the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy, but it doesn't show a lot of films, and it's still 15 miles away.

I think I will be taking the boys to the matinee every week, they had a great time, and I'm looking forward to some of the new realeases promised too.

An Ode To Kelly

2010-03-06T22:48:00.001Z

My Best Friend

I am close to lots of people, especially family members, but there's one non-family member that I'm close to. I might not see her from one week to the next, one month to the next, and once, one year to the next, but if I turn up on her doorstep, she'll treat me as if I had been there yesterday. She's a little bit cooky, but I love her for it. She has a lot of adventures, but then so do I, and at the end of the day, we've always got each other.

My new favourite tipple.

2010-03-06T19:43:00.000Z

This is my new favourite drink, introduced to me by my cousin (the same one who brought my attention to Mad Men), and who obviously has impeccable taste. I have never tasted gin before, and only knew it as mother's ruin. We had a "cousins get-together" and this is where my love affair with Hendrick's was born. A colleague asked why not just drink Gordon's as it's cheaper, but Hendrick's is special.

As it says on the label, it's loved by a handful of people over the world. I like being part of that small group. And it is distilled in Scotland, so it's homegrown for me. There are lots of different ways to drink it, as detailed on their website and I am looking forward to trying them.

But for now, my favourite way is with Indian Tonic and a slice of lime and cucumber (yes, cucumber!). My cousin and I were so close as children, we are six months apart in age, and I like that we have things we both love, just like when we were kids. So here's to Hendrick's, Mad Men and my cousin.

Odd

2010-03-05T12:22:00.001Z

I'm in at work on weird shifts next week, doing 2 nights nightshift then off for 6 day, which is good. Now I have to stay up as late as I can instead of getting up for work at 3am. It takes practice, so I need to sleep a lot during the day (poor me).

I added a stupid hit counter to my blog about a week ago, and it hacked my blog and re-directed it to a stupid advert! Not cool. So I deleted it. Also, I discovered my windows defender was switched off, just inviting trojans and worms. That's fixed now so STAY AWAY BUGS!!

Anyway, here's my favourite photo of my babies.

Gender Meme

2010-02-26T12:40:00.001Z

[ ] You love hoodies.
[x] You love jeans.
[x] Dogs are better than cats.
[ ] It's hilarious when people get hurt.
[ ] You've played with/against boys on a team.
[x] Shopping is torture.
[x] Sad movies suck.
[ ] You own an X-Box.
[ ] Played with Hotwheels cars as a kid.
[ ] At some point in time you wanted to be a firefighter.
[ ] You used to be obsessed with Power Rangers.
[x] You watch sports on TV.
[ ] Gory movies are cool.
[x] You go to your dad for advice.
[x] You own, like, a trillion hats.
[x] You like going to football games.
[ ] You used to/do collect baseball cards.
[ ] Baggy pants are cool to wear.
[ ] It's kind of weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people.
[ ] Green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favorite colors.
[ ] You love to go crazy and not care what people think.
[x] Sports are fun.
[x] Talk with food in your mouth.
[x] Wear boxers.
[x] You enjoy hunting, hiking and camping. (only camping)

Male points total = 12/25

Female side:

[x] You wear lip gloss.
[ ] You love to shop.
[x] You wear eyeliner.
[ ] You have some of the same shirts in different colors.
[x] You wear the color pink.
[x] Go to your mom for advice.
[ ] You consider cheerleading a sport.
[x] You hate wearing the color black.
[ ] You like hanging out at the mall.
[x] You like getting manicures and/or pedicures.
[x] You like wearing jewelry.
[ ] Skirts are a big part of your wardrobe. (Won't see me in no skirts!)
[ ] Shopping is one of your favorite hobbies.
[ ] You don't like the movie Star Wars.
[x] You are/were in cheerleading, gymnastics or dance. (ok I'll admit I used to go to ballet classes a long time ago)
[x] It takes you around 1 hour to shower, get dressed, and put on make-up and accessories.
[x] You smile a lot more than you should.
[x] You have more than 10 pairs of shoes.
[ ] You care about what you look like.
[ ] You like wearing dresses when you can.
[x] You like wearing body spray/perfume/cologne.
[x] You wear girl underwear.
[x] Used to play with dolls as little kid.
[ ] Like putting make-up on someone else for the joy of it.
[ ] Like taking pictures of yourself with your cell phone/camera when you're bored.

Female points total = 14/25

Androgyne / Gender neutral side:

[ ] You shop in both men and women departments for the best clothes.
[x] You do what you like regardless of what people say.
[x] You believe associating personality traits with gender is absurd.
[x] You are aware that colors don't have gender.
[ ] Androgyny and neutrality kick ass.
[ ] Macho men and girly girls make you want to puke.
[x] You appreciate diverse music, technology and media.
[ ] You can shop and repair things with the best of them.
[ ] Played with dolls AND hotwheels as a child.
[x] At some point you idolized an androgynous singer. (Idolized is a bit much, but I liked Boy George when I was about 9)
[x] You are aware that gender does not equal biological sex.
[x] You become angered at intolerance and bigotry.
[ ] You can watch both horror and romantic comedy without being phased.(Don't do horror,I've too much imagination, get nightmares)
[x] Hats, ties and accessories can make the outfit.
[x] You wouldn’t care much if you were the opposite sex.
[ ] You've been mistaken for the opposite sex.
[ ] You can cook and play sports. (Can cook, not very well though)
[x] You've had friends of all genders growing up.
[x] You think everyone should be free to express themselves.
[x] People, and not what is in their pants, is most important.
[x] You make up your own manners as you go along.
[x] Variety is good.
[x] You regularly question outdated social customs and rules.
[x] You use things made for the opposite sex if you feel like it without issue.
[ ] You think these gender surveys are silly.

Gender Neutral points total 16/25

My first meme. Does this mean I'm not female or male?

Thanks to Campbell for the meme :)

Shutter Island

2010-02-23T13:39:00.000Z

Just finished reading Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, it was really good, read it in about 5 hours. I don't know if the film will be as good, often the book is better than the film. I'm going to see The Lovely Bones this weekend, I hope it lives up to the book which was brilliant.

Mad Men Madness

2010-02-19T11:36:00.000Z

From a recommendation by my cousin, I started watching Mad Men. In the past week I have caught up on series 1 and 2. I am now watching series 3. It's a slow moving show, but highly addictive. And it feeds my love for all things retro. A highly respected blogger, India Knight, also has a love for all things Mad Men, which is well worth a look. Also this, and this. I also mirror my cousin's wish to own Betty Draper's wardrobe.

Lewis's Department Store

2010-02-12T20:04:00.000Z

I've never been to Lewis's in Liverpool but I found this and I like it. The idea of a whole floor of the store being closed for 30 years like a time capsule intrigues me. It's the subject of a book by photographer, Stephen King.

Bad Atmosphere

2010-02-10T15:30:00.000Z

I was on holiday for a week, well deserved as I haven't had a holiday since October. When I got back to work I could sense an atmosphere, and not a good one. Everyone on the night shift had picked sides, one side being the young guys and the other being the more mature guys (not old, just not immature). Apparently, while I was on holiday, a couple of the older guys made a formal complaint about the behaviour of the younger ones. Since then it's been nothing but bitchiness (strange behaviour from men), and formal meetings with the manager and personnel. Half of the canteen has been cordoned off, and the tomato and brown sauce has been confiscated, as they had been squirted about! It's quite funny, except the young guys are on their last warnings and could be fired. When I started the night shift I was looking forward to working with an all male work force, no bitchy back-stabbing, how wrong was I?

Sugar and her surgery.

2010-02-06T10:46:00.000Z

Poor Sugar was spayed on Tuesday. It's the rescue service rules, all adopted dogs have to be neutered within 3 months. If it hadn't been a rule I probably wouldn't have bothered, Oscar is neutered so she would have been okay. She's back to her normal energetic self, not a good thing after abdominal surgery. Every time she gets near Oscar they start playing, and it's not gentle! She likes to lie on her back and try to gnaw his floppy jowls, and he stands over her and gnaws her ears. He stood on her stomach this morning, she was fine, I was in a panic. I've been keeping Sugar away from Oscar since Tuesday to give her time to heal, I think it's still too soon for her to be with him. It's a shame, Oscar misses her, and she's cuddling up to me on my bed but she can hear Oscar playing and barking, and her ears are twitching, she just wants to play with him.

Sugar

2010-01-20T18:02:00.000Z

We left early on Sunday, about 8.30am. Oscar was happy in the back of the car (luckily he doesn't get car sick). It took 2 hours to get there, as we got lost (hard to believe with sat nav!) but after a frantic phone call to the Boxer Welfare volunteer, we arrived at the kennels. She brought Sugar out to meet us, Oscar was so excited. She growled at him a bit, but Oscar is a big lump, jumping all over her. We took them for a walk, and we chatted to the volunteers, and it went really well. We got back to the kennels and Liz, the volunteer, said it was up to us. I said straight away that I wanted to take her and asked when we could take her. Liz said we could take her now, I couldn't believe it. After having such a negative home visit from the local volunteer, I was really worried, but it was okay and Liz was really nice and very helpful. She took some photos of both of them, we got her in the car, and we were on our way home. In the car I phoned ahead and told No.2 son that we were bringing her home. Typical 10 year old reaction, he thought I was joking. I had to tell him 3 times before he would believe me.

Oscar and Sugar in the car on our way home.

Sugar cuddling Oscar when he was asleep.

Oscar and Sugar out for a walk.

Sugar, isn't she a beauty? Am I biased?

They're getting on really well, Oscar keeps jumping all over her, but she just nips at him. The big daft lump doesn't care and just keeps on. She follows me about all the time, it's good to have another girl in my house of men.

New Dog

2010-01-14T18:39:00.004Z

Our search for a new dog has come up trumps. We got a phone call from the Boxer Welfare Service, they have a 2 year old boxer bitch called Sugar. We're going to see her on Sunday. I think Oscar will really benefit from a play-mate, and they have said she is really boisterous so will match Oscar in the energetic stakes. Here is a picture from the website:

She's quite small, and after we pay the adoption fee we will still have to neuter her, so it's not a cheaper option. So we'll have to see if they get along, and hopefully she'll be able to come home soon.

Stop it with all the snow!!!

2010-01-10T09:19:00.005Z

It's been a while since I blogged as not a lot has been happening. Work, sleep (and not enough) school run etc. I went out to the local corner shop this morning, but having no car, had to use Shank's Pony as my Dad is wont to say. I don't know the origins of the saying, but it means walking! And as usual it was bitterly cold, -3 degrees c. I took Oscar with me, it's the only exercise he's had of late, since he pulled me down an icy hill on my arse and hurt my back. After another snow storm yesterday, some industrious kids built a snowman in their garden, and a very good one at that. Oscar hasn't seen a snowman before, and started barking like a rabid dog at the sight of it.

A very good blogger, Backwards in High Heels, has had the idea of posting a photo a day on her blog, thereby having a photographic memento of the year. I think it's a fantastic idea, but as I don't blog everyday, I decided to always post with photos so I'll sporadic photographic memento of the year.

Oscar's new favourite place to sleep, the back of the couch!

The snow on the fateful "falling down a hill" walk!

The snow yesterday (taken with my Blackberry, so not the best quality)

It's all over for another year!

2009-12-29T17:55:00.002Z

Christmas was hectic. The weather here, as for everywhere else, was treacherous. On Christmas Eve the OH went out to the bank, and slid the car into the kerb at the top of our street. Damn snow! We had a nice day, with a lovely Christmas dinner prepared my me. My Mum and Dad came for breakfast on Christmas morning. And no.1 and no.2 sons went to their Dad's on Boxing Day, so I got the car out and headed to their Dad's house. But the car had no power in the steering and the wheel weren't aligned. The OH had managed to bend the wishbone, costing a nice £100 to fix. But it's only money, you can't take it with you, so they say!

So Tired.

2009-12-15T19:50:00.002Z

I haven't had the energy to blog recently since the OH started working. He finishes work and 2 hours later I start work. When I finish work it's a constant rush. A quick run around the shop, unpack said shopping, get No.2 son fed and ready for school and all that before 8.30am. Then there's Oscar, he needs at least an hours walk a day. And the never ending round of housework, while the OH sleeps the day away. Christmas cards keep plopping on the doormat, I haven't even bought cards yet, far less written or posted any. And there's now only 10 days to go. I was so smug, all my shopping done and almost everything wrapped, now I'm crumbling under the weight of it all. Serves me right, I suppose.

That's Christmas Sorted!

2009-12-06T21:44:00.004Z

Well it seems I was wrong, I thought my Christmas lights had blown last year, and I was ready to either buy new ones or repair by taking every bulb out and testing it. But I got the OH to get the stuff down from the attic and they were fine. And I had a packet of replacement bulbs with two left in it. Instead of getting slightly senile with age, I seem to be getting more organised. Quite odd. Every year as a child, my sister and I would beg my Mum to put the tree up. All our friends would have theirs up. And eventually we would come home from school and it would be up. We never got to help and it was always a work of art, like an interior designer had worked their magic on it. It didn't bother us, that was just the way things were done in our house. And by the 28th the tree was taken down and everything was back to normal. And as a result I can't stand my tree being up for long. I usually put it up as late as possible and take it down a day or two after Christmas. And I never let the boys help, they would get home from school and find it all done, just as I did. So this year I decided to let them help. No.2 son always moans to be allowed to help so this year I caved. And it was good fun. We listened to Christmas songs and for an hour there was no bickering. I should put a tree up every day. I did the lights and tinsel but the boys hung all the baubles, and made a damn fine job of it too.

My Favourite Christmas Films

2009-12-05T20:17:00.004Z

This is a screen shot from my number 1 favourite film - It's a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart is one of my fave actors. The little girl looks just like my mum did at that age.

This a screen shot from my second favourite Christmas film, The Bishop's Wife.

The originals of 34th Street and The Shop around the corner are much better than the modern remakes.

Christmas Awesomness

2009-12-05T19:35:00.004Z

I'm feeling very festive, hence the bright red text, I finished my Christmas shopping today. I still need to get stocking fillers but all in all its done. It has been a hard slog, but I guess it will be worth it. Until No.1 and No.2 sons break everything. And start fighting (at about 11am on Christmas morning). But I'm in such a good mood I may even put the tree up tomorrow. I usually leave it until the last possible minute, because I'm so behind with Christmas shopping, and the tree is just a visual constant reminder of everything I still need to do. But not this year, and I feel quite proud. I remember one year, with a week to go, just starting the shopping. It was actually how I imagine hell. I'm not a huge fan of shopping as it is, and the seasonal madness that is Christmas shopping is just a nightmare. Working in a supermarket doesn't help my loathing of shopping either. It's been almost a year since I worked during trading hours, but the memory of holiday shoppers still haunts me. But back to the tree. I need to find a spot where Oscar can't reach, it's his first Christmas, and he's an excitable puppy at the best of times. I can see him having lots of fun with my carefully decorated tree. I think I need replacement bulbs for the lights, I put them away last year, broken, they hadn't worked for a good few days. Roll on Christmas, I'm ready for you this year.

Happy Day

2009-12-03T18:51:00.003Z

The OH hasn't been working for a while (dag nammit as they say in The Simpsons) but he started work this afternoon. Not a good job, probably not even a long job, but perfectly timed for Christmas - we won't feast like The Cratchit's this year. While the OH has been on this long work break, and I have carried on working like a dog, I have delegated the housework out to him. And he failed miserably. Apart from doing dishes, walking the dog and cooking the tea, I had to ask, at least twice, for every other chore to be done. And his stock excuse? The dog wouldn't give him peace to get on! Now that is true for sweeping, Oscar thinks a brush is a toy on a stick, but cleaning the bathroom? Emptying a washing basket and filling the washing machine? Hoovering the stairs? He has been at work for 2 hours and I have done the dishes, emptied and cleaned the kitchen bin, cleaned the toaster, bread bin and microwave, and cleaned the bathroom. And I caught up on some tv I missed while I was on night shift this week. And Oscar? Not a peep. He opened one eye and looked at me as I went upstairs to attack the bathroom (which hasn't been done properly in ages - big shock!). I really don't see the problem, must be a man thing!

Lists

2009-11-28T22:08:00.002Z

I'm in a list mood.

I need to finish my Christmas shopping soon
I need a good night's sleep since I haven't had one since the broken thumb incident
I have a ton of housework to do
I have to order the turkey for Christmas dinner
I have to get No.1 + No.2 sons trouser sizes for my Mum so she can buy clothes in the U.S.

That's it. Well not really, I can't remember the 100 other things I need to do. Oh well!

Trials of a Hardworker

2009-11-27T09:58:00.003Z

Two hours into my night shift and I had a little accident. I was moving shelves and fitting a bar for pegs. The bar was a bit old and bent at one end but I wasn't letting that stop me, so I tried a bit of force. Big mistake. The bar slipped and I crushed my thumb between it and a shelf edge. It was agony. I spent hours with ice on it, and plodded on as best I could, only getting about half my work done. Not bad considering I was sporting an injury. I left at 6am, even though I was supposed to work a couple of extra hours, because my thumb had swollen up so much I couldn't bend it. On my way home (another struggle, changing gears with my injured left hand not an easy task) I considered just going in to A + E, but I had an appointment with the surgery nurse in the afternoon so I would just ask her to take a look. I only managed to get a couple of hours sleep, every time I moved I hurt the damn thumb again! The nurse took one look and told me to go to the hospital. Luckily it only took about an hour. They x-rayed it and it's broken. Just my luck. They drilled a hole in my nail as well, to try and release the pressure of the swelling. It didn't work. I can't wash my hair, button up jeans, do dishes (not the end of the world). Hopefully, it will be better by Monday night, I can't afford any time off work.

Back on the weird shifts!

2009-11-24T20:14:00.002Z

I started work at 3.45am, tired as usual. It's not my fault though, usually I love sleeping and get plenty of it, helped recently by the strange medicine from my sainted doc. But I've started reading again, I'm a proper bookworm, but this year I can count the books I've read on one hand, very unlike me. So I said I would lend one of my favourite books to my cousin, but I couldn't let it go without reading it again. Even though I know the story back to front, I couldn't put it down. I was reading during my break at work, staying up to finish just one more chapter, and not getting enough sleep for about a week.

But it was worth it. The book? After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell. I love the complexity of the story, jumping back and forth over about 30 years, and told from lots of characters points of view. I like that parts of the book are set in North Berwick, which is near here, in fact you can almost make it out from the beach where I walk Oscar. In my blog photo, its the thin strip of land on the horizon above the gorgeous blue sea (I took the photo on a really good day at the start of the Summer, it's one of my favourites). And now I've been bitten by the book bug, and I have so many books to read. Just now I'm reading a book by Mark Haddon called A Spot of Bother. I enjoyed his last book - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. And I know I won't settle until I have finished it. Luckily my manager has asked me to work a full night shift. So I start work tomorrow night at 9pm until 6am. And I bet I read too much and sleep too little, oh well.

Adventures Of A Graveyard Shift Worker

2009-11-16T12:17:00.004Z

I'm new to this blogging lark, but I have been a fan of reading blogs for a while. The first blog I discovered was liberty london girl and I soon found many more fantastic blogs, all of which I have listed in my "Blogs I Love" list. I have also recently discovered Google Reader (yes I have been living in a cave in Scotland) But I am really enjoying blogging, even though its for my own amusement. I find I'm getting a rant out in my blog instead of at the OH or No.1 and No.2 sons, or even the dog, who has this annoying habit of standing or sitting wherever I am. So everyone is happy now.

I like listening to podcasts while I work. There's not much else to keep me awake at 4am (well, there is work!) I have discovered a new podcast, it's short but usually very funny, from comedian Rhod Gilbert's radio show on BBC Radio Wales. I've been a fan of his work for a while, and was very disappointed to miss his show at the Edinburgh Festival* this year. But I managed to get tickets to see him next year in Perth, so I am a very happy camper now.

*Not a complete washout because I did manage to see a very funny comedian Mark Restuccia.

Things That Go Bump In The Night

2009-11-15T09:07:00.003Z

I woke up at 1.30am with the dog cuddled up next to me, and I hear a muffled banging noise. No. 1 and No. 2 sons are both asleep so it can't be them. And the OH (Other Half! He's not my husband, merely my boyfriend of almost 7 years. He barely even lives here) went to watch a football match in the pub at 2pm. So I can only conclude that I'm being burgled. I listened carefully, fully awake by this point, and I realise it's coming from the back door. The OH has a front door key, so it's not him trying to get in. Only one course of action, I jumped up, making as much noise as possible, switching lights on as I went down stair. I marched to the back door, put the key in, unlocked it and swung it open. And there stood (I use the term stood VERY loosely) the OH, with his Dad's house key half jammed into the lock. He had been trying to force it in, in a drunken effort to gain entry! To say I was angry is an understatement. I pulled his key out and threw the set at him, almost taking an eye out in the process (I now understand when my Mum used to shout "You'll take someone's eye out with that") and shouted that he doesn't have a back door key. He just looked at me all confused, holding one hand over his eye. Binge drinking alcoholics, you can't live with them, you can't shoot them!

The Seat Stealer

2009-11-14T21:22:00.007Z

I have a favourite spot, I always sit here, and so does my laptop (precariously) but every time I get up, Oscar steals my seat. Here he is, one ear flicked jauntily back from the effort of all the seat stealing.

Also, my left eye is a bit tingly. No. 2 son has an eye infection, and I don't know if it's paranoia or impending infection that's causing said tingle. Just what I need, the look of a mad woman with one blood-shot weepy eye at the staff Christmas party. Brilliant. Bring on a surprise bout of acne (of which I've never suffered from) just to complete the look. Just my luck!

Headache Update

2009-11-14T18:16:00.005Z

Day 10 of the anti-depressants, you'd think I'd be giddy with happiness, seeing as I'm not even depressed, but I just feel my normal, slightly annoyed self. However, there hasn't been a hint of a 3 day long thumping headache, so they must be doing something right.

I even managed to venture out and do some more Christmas shopping. I'm at that tenuous stage where I may have bought everything I need, but I can't quite remember what's in all the bags hidden away from no.1 and no.2 sons. And I can't really be bothered to start raking through them all. Oops! Never mind, either way I'll just blame Santa for the lack of/glut of Christmas presents (works on no.2 son, but no way no.1 son believes)

I'm actually looking forward to Christmas now, we're having dinner at home this year instead of going to my Mum. And even though this means I'll have to slave over a hot stove instead of being waited on, it does mean I can have a few mulled wines or egg-noggs (vodka and wine more like) Usually, its a sober event (for me) then we drive home to a cold dark house before I get to have some festive spirit (the above mentioned vodka and the wine) Of course it could be a disaster (with me too merry to cook dinner, or even to care) but I'm ever hopeful.

Google Wave

2009-11-13T15:15:00.002Z

When I got up this morning (nice long lie until the dog woke me at 6.45!) I saw that Google Wave was trending on Twitter. Being the nosey mare that I am, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. The idea is simple enough but getting an invite was not. It was a bit like wearing trainers to go to the smartest club, your name's not down, you're not getting in! Thankfully, a nice guy sent me an invite on Twitter, so I'm off to play with my new toy.

A Woman's Work

2009-11-08T13:38:00.004Z

I hate Sundays, a day of nothingness, waiting for the hustle and bustle of the week to start. And the preparation for the week ahead needs to be sorted. This consists of 5 loads of washing, hoovering, dusting, sweep and wash the floors, dishes. And when its done, I can look around and see where the dog has trailed mud over the clean floor. Or where no.1 son has made a mess in the bathroom. Or where the OH has dumped washing in the empty basket, just too late to make the last wash. It's all just a pointless, but essential evil. I remember when no.1 son was a baby, every night he would settle in his cot, I would start doing housework. My friends used to think I was mad, but once it was done I could sit for a couple of hours in perfect tidiness before I went to bed. Nowadays, I have to wait until the boys go to their Dad's to stay, it used to be weekends, now its whenever it suits him (usually not suiting me in the process) ah, the joys of divorce.

Oh, Pain

2009-11-07T18:10:00.004Z

Things that are a pain right now:

my aching head

my credit card (from Christmas shopping)

my head (so sore it deserves another mention)

No.1 son (after 4 days of freedom he is grounded again, cue moody teenager)

No.2 son (who has found joy in being by my side constantly, I only get peace in the bathroom, he must think I have bladder problems)

2009-11-04T11:43:00.004Z

I have just been to the doctors, he says I have tension headaches. He's the expert, but he gave me anti-depressants. They're supposed to prevent the headaches. I have 28 days worth, so I suppose I have a month to see if it works. Also my blood pressure is a little bit high, but it was the last time I was at the doctors, but he wants to keep an eye on it now. Don't you just love the NHS. I'm not insulting them, my mum works for the NHS addiction service, she's great at her job.

I'm away to my bed, I had a really hard shift at work this morning. My manager set me a job to do and he thought I wouldn't finish it. I did it in 2 hours. He was amazed, and so was the night shift supervisor. I maybe shouldn't have done such a good job, he's asked me to do another big profile change tomorrow morning. Something to look forward to then :(

Rain

2009-11-03T12:50:00.005Z

It has rained for days, there has even been flooding in a town near us. I was uploading some photos I had taken on my phone. This one is an old bridge where I walk Oscar.

This is what's left of an old railway bridge.

This is part of a railway line dumped where new houses are being built.

This is Leven beach. It was a cold morning and I liked the way the caravans reflected in the water.

Oscar, on the same day.

I suppose Winter is here now, I'm missing the better weather. Won't be long until it's like this again.

Tell me why ......

2009-11-02T16:44:00.003Z

I don't like Mondays? I had a dream last night that I had phoned in sick to work. Then my alarm went off, 3am, and I was still hungover from Saturday night! Just about made it through work, feeling a little bit sick still!

Finally got my stair carpet fitted, joy, I'm going to hoover it, probably won't get done again this side of Christmas. And the electrician came and showed me the catalogue of new fires, and I've picked one. Probably won't get it this side of Christmas!

So I'm off to have a shower, change the bed sheets, fold some washing, then finally, bed, nice and early as I have to get up at 3am. I wonder if I'll try and pull a sickie in my sleep again.

Much Illness (self-inflicted)

2009-11-01T17:32:00.002Z

I'm really hungover again. And I have to go to work in 10 hours. I'm never drinking again.

Friday Night Joy?

2009-10-30T20:03:00.002Z

Hints from a wise old woman (my mum - nurse with high blood pressure)

Had a bath, as prescribed by the wise one. It was rubbish. I gave up after about 5 minutes and had a shower. This is why we have a shower. And now I'm half way through the dram she also prescribed (funny, she's almost tea-total, and an alcohol and drug addiction nurse). But she reckons it's high blood pressure that's causing my headaches, she's an expert on it. So we'll see if it works.

Oscar, asleep on the sofa.

And with number 2 son.

He'll be 9 months old soon, if he doesn't stop growing soon we'll have to move to a bigger house. And buy a bigger bed. Maybe we should stop just stop spoiling him and reclaim our bed. Probably.

Friday Morning Blues

2009-10-30T10:21:00.000Z

I like Thursdays, my last day at work, and I love Fridays. So much to look forward to, and no work until Monday. Last night was just a normal Thursday night. Then youngest son came into my bedroom at 9.45, I was just about to turn out the light and go to sleep. "It's 'wear to scare' day at school tomorrow" he announces, and I'm expected to make a Halloween costume appear! Oh to be 9 years old again!

Then I woke up at 5am. That's a nice long lie-in for me, as I'm usually up at 3am for work. The dog had climbed onto the bed and had shoved me right to the edge. He's a white boxer, completely deaf, weighs a ton, and he's only 9 months old. He likes climbing onto my knee for a cuddle, like a lap dog, he doesn't know he's crushing me! So, getting shoved out of my own bed was the main thing that woke me. But when I moved my head, I felt the familiar shooting pain, the dreaded headache. They are happening more frequently, I feel sick and dizzy when I move. I take painkillers, I've tried lots, even my strong prescription back medicine doesn't work. And if it's like my usual headache, it's here for at least 2 days. I really must go to the doctors, but by the time I get around to making an appointment, the headache will be a distant memory. I wonder if it's migraines?

So, my lovely weekend off work is doomed now, I'm off to lie down in my dark bedroom, and move as little as possible. I'm sure I'll feel better, just in time to start work!