Yes, I’ve finally got back to learning the piano again.
Sadly I had to start right back at the beginning as it’s been such a long time since I played, that I’ve forgotten most of it.
You can tell it’s serious as I’ve started to make notes ! ! !
Who know this time next year I might accomplish my ambition. I’ve always wanted to play Scott Joplin’s ‘The Entertainer’. The easy version of course….
Marie
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Having the right tools for the job
Marie has a laptop computer. It's a Compaq Presario something or other and it hasn't been very well for the past few years. It needed a new keyboard about two years ago and it began misbehaving soon after. About eighteen months ago it packed up and refused to work.
Santa brought me a screwdriver set which included a set of torq bits. The sort you need to dismantle laptop computers. So tonight I decided to give it a go. Nothing ventured and all that.
I took the computer out of it's packaging and got the tools ready. Before I started I plugged in the power supply and pressed the on/off switch.
You can guess what's coming can't you. Yes - it started. And I'm using it to type this blog.
So there you are. All you need to fix a computer is the right tools.
John
Santa brought me a screwdriver set which included a set of torq bits. The sort you need to dismantle laptop computers. So tonight I decided to give it a go. Nothing ventured and all that.
I took the computer out of it's packaging and got the tools ready. Before I started I plugged in the power supply and pressed the on/off switch.
You can guess what's coming can't you. Yes - it started. And I'm using it to type this blog.
So there you are. All you need to fix a computer is the right tools.
John
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Intelligent, Us ?
According to the Intelligent Community Forum at the 29th annual Pacific Telecommunications Council the seven most “Intelligent” communities in the world are :
Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Tallinn, Estonia
Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada
Waterloo, Canada.
Dundee, Scotland
And ...
Sunderland
Yes, really. Sunderland. Nice to know we live somewhere intelligent.
Seriously, the rating is based on how advanced the communities are in deploying broadband, building a knowledge-based workforce, combining government and private-sector 'digital inclusion,' fostering innovation and marketing economic development.
John
Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Tallinn, Estonia
Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada
Waterloo, Canada.
Dundee, Scotland
And ...
Sunderland
Yes, really. Sunderland. Nice to know we live somewhere intelligent.
Seriously, the rating is based on how advanced the communities are in deploying broadband, building a knowledge-based workforce, combining government and private-sector 'digital inclusion,' fostering innovation and marketing economic development.
John
Thursday, January 25, 2007
I’m not proud
I don’t care who I pinch blog ideas from – sorry Jenny…
A - AVAILABLE: Depends on what you mean by available. For marriage, no. For a Silversea cruise next week, yes ! ! !
B - BIRTHDAY: September 9th.
C - CRUSHING: Haven’t the foggiest what that means…
D - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: Sipping a cup of coffee as I type.
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: My husband.
F - FAVOURITE BANDS: Abba and Runrig.
G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Gummy bears because I’ve never had worms. I’m sure they are very nice though.
H - HOME TOWN: Fulwell in Sunderland.
I - INSTRUMENT(s): Played at one time or another the recorder and the clarinet, plus the piano (badly…).
J - JUGGLE: Nope, keep dropping them.
K - KILLED SOMEONE: No but I’ve come close. Think new neighbours/Bob the builder….
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: No doubt John will correct me as I’m hopeless at geography, but I think it was Sunderland – Bognor Regis.
M - MILKSHAKE FLAVOUR: Can’t stand them.
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: One sister.
O - ONE WISH: That I can have three wishes…
P - PLACES YOU’VE HAD A CAMERA INSERTED: Never internally but have had a MRI scan. Does that count?
Q - QUIET?: Believe it or not, I am quite a quiet and shy person, especially with large groups of people.
R - REASON TO SMILE: It’s Chinese night tomorrow.
S- SONG YOU LAST HEARD: Starship - we built this city. It was just played on Radio 2. Well that’s not entirely true but that’s the last song I recognised. The ones after that were ‘modern stuff…’.
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP: 7.30am.
U- UNDERWEAR YOU’RE WEARING? Knickers and bra, both white (well if you can call them ‘white’). And no they are not matching. I can’t be bothered doing that.
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE: What’s them…
W - WORST HABIT: Got loads so you’ll have to ask my husband which is my worst. However off the top of my head I’ll say hogging all the duvet.
X - X-RAYS YOU’VE HAD: Zillions.
Y - YOUR NUMBER OF FRIENDS ON MYSPACE: None because I don’t have a ‘myspace’. Is that the internet blog thing? (All geeks gasp in horror ! ! !).
Z- ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo.
Marie
A - AVAILABLE: Depends on what you mean by available. For marriage, no. For a Silversea cruise next week, yes ! ! !
B - BIRTHDAY: September 9th.
C - CRUSHING: Haven’t the foggiest what that means…
D - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: Sipping a cup of coffee as I type.
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: My husband.
F - FAVOURITE BANDS: Abba and Runrig.
G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Gummy bears because I’ve never had worms. I’m sure they are very nice though.
H - HOME TOWN: Fulwell in Sunderland.
I - INSTRUMENT(s): Played at one time or another the recorder and the clarinet, plus the piano (badly…).
J - JUGGLE: Nope, keep dropping them.
K - KILLED SOMEONE: No but I’ve come close. Think new neighbours/Bob the builder….
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: No doubt John will correct me as I’m hopeless at geography, but I think it was Sunderland – Bognor Regis.
M - MILKSHAKE FLAVOUR: Can’t stand them.
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: One sister.
O - ONE WISH: That I can have three wishes…
P - PLACES YOU’VE HAD A CAMERA INSERTED: Never internally but have had a MRI scan. Does that count?
Q - QUIET?: Believe it or not, I am quite a quiet and shy person, especially with large groups of people.
R - REASON TO SMILE: It’s Chinese night tomorrow.
S- SONG YOU LAST HEARD: Starship - we built this city. It was just played on Radio 2. Well that’s not entirely true but that’s the last song I recognised. The ones after that were ‘modern stuff…’.
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP: 7.30am.
U- UNDERWEAR YOU’RE WEARING? Knickers and bra, both white (well if you can call them ‘white’). And no they are not matching. I can’t be bothered doing that.
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE: What’s them…
W - WORST HABIT: Got loads so you’ll have to ask my husband which is my worst. However off the top of my head I’ll say hogging all the duvet.
X - X-RAYS YOU’VE HAD: Zillions.
Y - YOUR NUMBER OF FRIENDS ON MYSPACE: None because I don’t have a ‘myspace’. Is that the internet blog thing? (All geeks gasp in horror ! ! !).
Z- ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo.
Marie
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Getting picky
You know that we have scavengers who patrol the back lanes and will take anything not bolted down. If you put out your old granny, they’d take her off your hands….
A few days ago someone put out a picture. It wasn’t a very nice one but that wouldn’t bother the scavengers.
We had a bet as to how long it would remain there. I said two days, John said less than 24 hours. He was right.
However two days later it was back in the same place again.
Looks like the scavengers thought it was horrible too so returned it ! ! !
Marie
A few days ago someone put out a picture. It wasn’t a very nice one but that wouldn’t bother the scavengers.
We had a bet as to how long it would remain there. I said two days, John said less than 24 hours. He was right.
However two days later it was back in the same place again.
Looks like the scavengers thought it was horrible too so returned it ! ! !
Marie
Thursday, January 18, 2007
The bells, the bells
This morning and part of the afternoon we had a lovely time – visiting A&E at the dental hospital. For once it wasn’t for me ! ! !
John felt a bit under the weather last night and this morning he woke to find he’d became the proud owner of an abscess.
Poor soul. His face is quite swollen and sore, and as Neil, one of his work colleagues asked, yes he does look a bit like Quasimodo.
Normally we would have just gone to the dentist but unfortunately John doesn’t have one. It closed 20 years ago and he hadn’t bother to find himself another one...
He’s feeling a pretty rough at the moment what with swelling, the pain and a hole in his mouth – they had to remove the tooth.
We called off at Sainburys on the way home as all he can have to eat for the rest of the day is very soft food. So it’s yogurts, mashed potatoes and baked beans until breakfast tomorrow.
Yummy ! ! !
Marie
John felt a bit under the weather last night and this morning he woke to find he’d became the proud owner of an abscess.
Poor soul. His face is quite swollen and sore, and as Neil, one of his work colleagues asked, yes he does look a bit like Quasimodo.
Normally we would have just gone to the dentist but unfortunately John doesn’t have one. It closed 20 years ago and he hadn’t bother to find himself another one...
He’s feeling a pretty rough at the moment what with swelling, the pain and a hole in his mouth – they had to remove the tooth.
We called off at Sainburys on the way home as all he can have to eat for the rest of the day is very soft food. So it’s yogurts, mashed potatoes and baked beans until breakfast tomorrow.
Yummy ! ! !
Marie
Monday, January 15, 2007
Shopping
We went to Makro today.
Now, I know what you’re thinking and the answer is “No”, they haven’t got the Easter eggs on the shelves yet.
What they did have was a very tempting array of nice edible things all reduced. So we now have plenty of the nice edible things to put in the delegates packs for the HBA Spring Conference. And No, I’m not going to tell you what they are. Come to Northampton if you really want to know.
All we have to do now is resist temptation for two and a half months.
John
Now, I know what you’re thinking and the answer is “No”, they haven’t got the Easter eggs on the shelves yet.
What they did have was a very tempting array of nice edible things all reduced. So we now have plenty of the nice edible things to put in the delegates packs for the HBA Spring Conference. And No, I’m not going to tell you what they are. Come to Northampton if you really want to know.
All we have to do now is resist temptation for two and a half months.
John
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Reporting in
Just realised that I haven’t blogged since Sunday so thought I’d better put pen to paper so to speak otherwise Jan will be calling us boring old farts again….
So is there any thing exciting to report - maybe some juicy gossip, some scandal perhaps. I’m afraid not.
What dull boring lives we have ! ! !
Marie
So is there any thing exciting to report - maybe some juicy gossip, some scandal perhaps. I’m afraid not.
What dull boring lives we have ! ! !
Marie
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Credit card workout
Yesterday I gave my credit card a bit of a workout.
Firstly we went to Matalan. Unlike some people (won’t mention names just in case they happen to read this and decide to sue….) I don’t have any hang ups with shopping there. Unfortunately they didn’t have what we were looking for. However I did buy John five new work shirts and myself 10 new pairs of socks.
Then it was off to B&Q. No it wasn’t to complain – but to have a look at some power tools for John. Sadly their range was pretty poor so we did leave empty handed. No matter as he’s found what he’s looking for in the Screwfix catalogue and much cheaper than B&Q.
Next it was the turn of PC World. My keyboard needs replacing and as I’m going to be spending more time bashing away at it, I thought I’d treat myself to something decent. Sadly their range was pretty poor as well so decided to stick with what I’ve got for now.
Leaving PC World empty handed is extremely rare. John decided to spend some of his Christmas money on some computer bits (I know what it does but can’t think of it’s name ! ! !) and I bought two SIM games and a family tree CD.
Finally it was the bed shop. We’ve been thinking about getting a new bed for a while but never got round to it, so thought as we were passing the shop we’d just take a look and see what they had. We left with a new bed being delivered in the next two weeks….
Sadly time was getting on so we didn’t have time to check out the carpet places as we’re going to replace the carpets in the main bedroom and my work room, along with the bathroom. Yes I know carpets in bathrooms are unhygienic but me, wet feet and slippery floors do not mix ! ! !
Marie
Firstly we went to Matalan. Unlike some people (won’t mention names just in case they happen to read this and decide to sue….) I don’t have any hang ups with shopping there. Unfortunately they didn’t have what we were looking for. However I did buy John five new work shirts and myself 10 new pairs of socks.
Then it was off to B&Q. No it wasn’t to complain – but to have a look at some power tools for John. Sadly their range was pretty poor so we did leave empty handed. No matter as he’s found what he’s looking for in the Screwfix catalogue and much cheaper than B&Q.
Next it was the turn of PC World. My keyboard needs replacing and as I’m going to be spending more time bashing away at it, I thought I’d treat myself to something decent. Sadly their range was pretty poor as well so decided to stick with what I’ve got for now.
Leaving PC World empty handed is extremely rare. John decided to spend some of his Christmas money on some computer bits (I know what it does but can’t think of it’s name ! ! !) and I bought two SIM games and a family tree CD.
Finally it was the bed shop. We’ve been thinking about getting a new bed for a while but never got round to it, so thought as we were passing the shop we’d just take a look and see what they had. We left with a new bed being delivered in the next two weeks….
Sadly time was getting on so we didn’t have time to check out the carpet places as we’re going to replace the carpets in the main bedroom and my work room, along with the bathroom. Yes I know carpets in bathrooms are unhygienic but me, wet feet and slippery floors do not mix ! ! !
Marie
Friday, January 05, 2007
Paid up
I’m very pleased to report that this morning B&Q reimbursed me for the joinery bill.
Rather than send them the bill as per their instructions, I handed it into them personally. There was no way it was getting ‘lost in the post’, ‘lost in their internal post’ or for the Manager to simply bin it as he didn’t understand what the saga was about.
To make doubly certain I rang the person who I had been dealing with and told her I was on my way to hand it over.
There were no questions, no sharp intake of breath, or quibbles with the bill and ten minutes later I left the building with a wad of cash.
Lets hope this is now the end of the kitchen saga…
In other news. Spent the afternoon giving my mam cookery lessons. She was getting low on some of the meals I make her, and rather than me do them for her, I said I’d teach her how to make them.
We made two lasagne’s, three lots of chilli’s and two cottage pies. I had hoped it would from now on spur her into making them herself but sadly it hasn’t. At least she’s willing to make on a Friday again so I can’t complain about that.
Marie
Rather than send them the bill as per their instructions, I handed it into them personally. There was no way it was getting ‘lost in the post’, ‘lost in their internal post’ or for the Manager to simply bin it as he didn’t understand what the saga was about.
To make doubly certain I rang the person who I had been dealing with and told her I was on my way to hand it over.
There were no questions, no sharp intake of breath, or quibbles with the bill and ten minutes later I left the building with a wad of cash.
Lets hope this is now the end of the kitchen saga…
In other news. Spent the afternoon giving my mam cookery lessons. She was getting low on some of the meals I make her, and rather than me do them for her, I said I’d teach her how to make them.
We made two lasagne’s, three lots of chilli’s and two cottage pies. I had hoped it would from now on spur her into making them herself but sadly it hasn’t. At least she’s willing to make on a Friday again so I can’t complain about that.
Marie
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Want list
This time last year I did a blog saying I wasn’t a resolutions person, but I did have a ‘want’ list.
Well here is my ‘want’ list for 2007
1: I want to win the lottery. It doesn’t matter if it’s the normal lottery or the Euro. As long as it’s the jackpot and is over £1.5m I’m not bothered.
2: I want to lose two stone in weight.
3: I want to finish my novel.
4: I want to continue my piano lessons.
Yes I’m afraid it is a case of deja vu as that’s what I said last year.
Well that’s not entirely true as last year I wanted to win at least £1m on the lottery and to lose a stone and a half. Think if it as inflation….
Marie
PS It’s only day two of 2007 and I’m already on to my second cold sore. I’m not amused ! ! !
Well here is my ‘want’ list for 2007
1: I want to win the lottery. It doesn’t matter if it’s the normal lottery or the Euro. As long as it’s the jackpot and is over £1.5m I’m not bothered.
2: I want to lose two stone in weight.
3: I want to finish my novel.
4: I want to continue my piano lessons.
Yes I’m afraid it is a case of deja vu as that’s what I said last year.
Well that’s not entirely true as last year I wanted to win at least £1m on the lottery and to lose a stone and a half. Think if it as inflation….
Marie
PS It’s only day two of 2007 and I’m already on to my second cold sore. I’m not amused ! ! !
Saturday, December 30, 2006
A narrow escape
I’m a member of two on-line forums, one for IBS sufferers and the other for sewing.
I’ve only just joined the IBS forum and was having a little trouble putting a photo on my profile*, so asked one of moderators for help. Within the hour it was there and she couldn’t have been more helpful.
The sewing forum has recently revamped it’s website and as a result the date of birth on my profile has somehow changed. As there was a note saying that the administrator is the only person who can make this change, I emailed them yesterday and asked if they would be so kind as to correct it.
When I checked my mail this evening there were two mails from the said administrator. The first one was a rather blunt and snotty reply saying it was my responsibly to make that change, and was I incapable of doing it myself.
The second mail, which arrived two hours later and again in a blunt manner, said that they had checked the information on the members profiles and as I was unable to make the change myself, they had done it for me.
The administrator had a narrow escape for had it been any night other than a Friday**, I would have been at my computer when their first email arrived and they would have felt the wroth of the Customer from Hell ! ! !
As we’re going to Jenny’s New Years Eve party (yippee….) this will be the last blog for 2006. From John and myself, we wish you a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Marie
* They want the forum to be as friendly as possible, hence the photograph.
** Friday night is Chinese and bottle of wine night.
I’ve only just joined the IBS forum and was having a little trouble putting a photo on my profile*, so asked one of moderators for help. Within the hour it was there and she couldn’t have been more helpful.
The sewing forum has recently revamped it’s website and as a result the date of birth on my profile has somehow changed. As there was a note saying that the administrator is the only person who can make this change, I emailed them yesterday and asked if they would be so kind as to correct it.
When I checked my mail this evening there were two mails from the said administrator. The first one was a rather blunt and snotty reply saying it was my responsibly to make that change, and was I incapable of doing it myself.
The second mail, which arrived two hours later and again in a blunt manner, said that they had checked the information on the members profiles and as I was unable to make the change myself, they had done it for me.
The administrator had a narrow escape for had it been any night other than a Friday**, I would have been at my computer when their first email arrived and they would have felt the wroth of the Customer from Hell ! ! !
As we’re going to Jenny’s New Years Eve party (yippee….) this will be the last blog for 2006. From John and myself, we wish you a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Marie
* They want the forum to be as friendly as possible, hence the photograph.
** Friday night is Chinese and bottle of wine night.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
100 questions
Seeing as I had a bit of spare time I thought I’d answer the 100 questions which were on Gottles blog a couple of days ago.
So here goes…
1. Ever been given an engagement ring? Yes
2. Longest friendship? 36 years to my friend Janice
3. Last gift you received? The last Christmas present I opened was a pair of jimjams from my mam
4. How many times have you dropped your cell? No idea
5. When’s the last time you worked out? You must be joking ! ! !
6. Thing you spend a lot of money on? Silversea cruises
7. Last food you ate? Homemade curry and nan bread
8. First thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their face
9. One favourite song? Theme from an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel
10. Where do you live? Sunderland
11. Cell phone service provider? T-Mobile
12. Favourite mall store? Does Amazon count….
13. Longest job ever had? Nearly ten years as a Civil Servant (isn’t that sad)
14. Do you own a pair of dice? Not sure
15. Do you prank call people? Nope
16. Last wedding attended? Chris and Jenny’s
17. First friend you’d call if you won the lottery? I initially wouldn’t tell anyone other than John
18. Last time you attended church? Chris and Jenny’s wedding
19. How old are you? Old enough to drink alcohol…
20. Biggest lie you have heard? Anything coming from the current government
21. What do you want to drive? An original Mini Cooper S
22. Where’s your favourite place to eat with friends? A Chinese restaurant
23. Can you cook? Yes
24. What car do you drive? A Nissan Almera
25. Best kisser? John
26. Last time you cried? Can’t remember but no doubt it must have been for some furry little animal
27. Most disliked food? Trifle
28. Thing you like most about yourself? My eyes
29. Thing you dislike most about yourself? My flabby stomach
30. Longest shift you have worked at a job? 20 hours working on the Jim Clarke Rally
31. Favourite movie? High Society
32. Can you sing? Yes
33. Last concert? Do you mean me singing or attending. If singing when I was at school and if attending, Runring in 1995
34. Last kiss? A minute ago
35. What colour are your eyes? Dark green
36. Who knows your darkest secret? Me
37. Last movie rented? Haven’t the faintest idea
38. Thing you never leave home without? My clothes
39. Favourite vacation spot? Stratford upon Avon and any Silversea cruise liners
40. Do you like Chinese food? Oh yes ! ! ! !
42. Is your room clean? I’m afraid it is…
43. Laptop or desktop computer? Technically both but as my laptop died on me, I’ll have to say desktop
44. Favourite comedian? Peter Kay
45. Do you smoke? Never
46. Sleep with or without clothes? That depends ;-)
47. Who sleeps with you every night? John
48. Long distance relationships work? Don’t know never had one
49. How many times have you been pulled over by the police? Once and I was not amused…
50. Pancakes or French toast? Pancakes with loads of Maple Syrup
51. Do you like coffee? Yes but it has to be very, very weak
52. How do you like your eggs? In pancakes….
53. Do you believe in astrology? No
54. Last person you talked to on the phone? My mam
55. Last person on your missed call list? John
56. What was the last text message you received? From Jenny about New Years Eve
57. McDonalds or Burger King? Both
58. Number of pillows? Two but only one in bed
59. What are you wearing right now? Green joggers, grey t-shirt, black jumper and two pairs of socks (because my feet are cold)
60. Pick a lyric, any lyric or song? Have you ever seen a woman coming out of New York City with a frog in her hand
61. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich? Eh ! ! !
62. Can you play pool? No
63. Do you know how to swim? Yep
64. Favourite ice cream? As sold from the little boat in Bancroft Basin in Stratford upon Avon
65. Do you like maps? There’re ok
66. Tell me a random fact about yourself? I’m left handed
67. Do you do drugs? Nothing illegal…
68. Ever attend a theme party? Can’t stand them so no
69. What is your favourite season? Spring
70. Last time you laughed at something stupid? The Saturday before Christmas – see relevant blog entry
71. What time did you wake up this morning? 10.10am
72. Best thing about winter? Christmas ! ! !
73. Last time a cop gave you a ticket? Never had one
74. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Taking my driving test
75. Name of your first pet? Chico
76. Do you think pirates are cool or overrated? How should I know. I’ve never met one ! ! !
77. What are you doing this weekend? Going to Chris and Jenny’s for their New Years Eve party
78. Who’s your best friend? John
79. What is the third letter of your name? R
80. How old are your pets? Don’t have any
81. What colour is your backpack? Blue and white
82. Are you sick? Only after too much alcohol
84. Is the bathroom open? Yes
87. Are you smiling? I am now
88. Do you have on eye-liner? Nope
89. Do you miss someone right now? My dad
90. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? On a Silversea cruise, don’t mind where
91. Do you have a Myspace? No idea what it is…
92. Are you in high school? I’m a bit old for that
93. Do you have a crush? That would be telling ! ! !
94. What is your favourite nickname for yourself? Don’t have one but my niece used to call me SpamElla
95. What colour is your bathing suit? I think it’s black
96. What’s your favourite brand of water? Makro’s own brand as it’s the cheapest
97. Did you go on vacation last month? Went to Leeds to look at a hotel
98. Have you ever been on a cruise? Oh yes ! ! !
99. Do you have a sister? Yes
100. Are you upstairs? I most certainly am
Marie
So here goes…
1. Ever been given an engagement ring? Yes
2. Longest friendship? 36 years to my friend Janice
3. Last gift you received? The last Christmas present I opened was a pair of jimjams from my mam
4. How many times have you dropped your cell? No idea
5. When’s the last time you worked out? You must be joking ! ! !
6. Thing you spend a lot of money on? Silversea cruises
7. Last food you ate? Homemade curry and nan bread
8. First thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their face
9. One favourite song? Theme from an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel
10. Where do you live? Sunderland
11. Cell phone service provider? T-Mobile
12. Favourite mall store? Does Amazon count….
13. Longest job ever had? Nearly ten years as a Civil Servant (isn’t that sad)
14. Do you own a pair of dice? Not sure
15. Do you prank call people? Nope
16. Last wedding attended? Chris and Jenny’s
17. First friend you’d call if you won the lottery? I initially wouldn’t tell anyone other than John
18. Last time you attended church? Chris and Jenny’s wedding
19. How old are you? Old enough to drink alcohol…
20. Biggest lie you have heard? Anything coming from the current government
21. What do you want to drive? An original Mini Cooper S
22. Where’s your favourite place to eat with friends? A Chinese restaurant
23. Can you cook? Yes
24. What car do you drive? A Nissan Almera
25. Best kisser? John
26. Last time you cried? Can’t remember but no doubt it must have been for some furry little animal
27. Most disliked food? Trifle
28. Thing you like most about yourself? My eyes
29. Thing you dislike most about yourself? My flabby stomach
30. Longest shift you have worked at a job? 20 hours working on the Jim Clarke Rally
31. Favourite movie? High Society
32. Can you sing? Yes
33. Last concert? Do you mean me singing or attending. If singing when I was at school and if attending, Runring in 1995
34. Last kiss? A minute ago
35. What colour are your eyes? Dark green
36. Who knows your darkest secret? Me
37. Last movie rented? Haven’t the faintest idea
38. Thing you never leave home without? My clothes
39. Favourite vacation spot? Stratford upon Avon and any Silversea cruise liners
40. Do you like Chinese food? Oh yes ! ! ! !
42. Is your room clean? I’m afraid it is…
43. Laptop or desktop computer? Technically both but as my laptop died on me, I’ll have to say desktop
44. Favourite comedian? Peter Kay
45. Do you smoke? Never
46. Sleep with or without clothes? That depends ;-)
47. Who sleeps with you every night? John
48. Long distance relationships work? Don’t know never had one
49. How many times have you been pulled over by the police? Once and I was not amused…
50. Pancakes or French toast? Pancakes with loads of Maple Syrup
51. Do you like coffee? Yes but it has to be very, very weak
52. How do you like your eggs? In pancakes….
53. Do you believe in astrology? No
54. Last person you talked to on the phone? My mam
55. Last person on your missed call list? John
56. What was the last text message you received? From Jenny about New Years Eve
57. McDonalds or Burger King? Both
58. Number of pillows? Two but only one in bed
59. What are you wearing right now? Green joggers, grey t-shirt, black jumper and two pairs of socks (because my feet are cold)
60. Pick a lyric, any lyric or song? Have you ever seen a woman coming out of New York City with a frog in her hand
61. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich? Eh ! ! !
62. Can you play pool? No
63. Do you know how to swim? Yep
64. Favourite ice cream? As sold from the little boat in Bancroft Basin in Stratford upon Avon
65. Do you like maps? There’re ok
66. Tell me a random fact about yourself? I’m left handed
67. Do you do drugs? Nothing illegal…
68. Ever attend a theme party? Can’t stand them so no
69. What is your favourite season? Spring
70. Last time you laughed at something stupid? The Saturday before Christmas – see relevant blog entry
71. What time did you wake up this morning? 10.10am
72. Best thing about winter? Christmas ! ! !
73. Last time a cop gave you a ticket? Never had one
74. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Taking my driving test
75. Name of your first pet? Chico
76. Do you think pirates are cool or overrated? How should I know. I’ve never met one ! ! !
77. What are you doing this weekend? Going to Chris and Jenny’s for their New Years Eve party
78. Who’s your best friend? John
79. What is the third letter of your name? R
80. How old are your pets? Don’t have any
81. What colour is your backpack? Blue and white
82. Are you sick? Only after too much alcohol
84. Is the bathroom open? Yes
87. Are you smiling? I am now
88. Do you have on eye-liner? Nope
89. Do you miss someone right now? My dad
90. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? On a Silversea cruise, don’t mind where
91. Do you have a Myspace? No idea what it is…
92. Are you in high school? I’m a bit old for that
93. Do you have a crush? That would be telling ! ! !
94. What is your favourite nickname for yourself? Don’t have one but my niece used to call me SpamElla
95. What colour is your bathing suit? I think it’s black
96. What’s your favourite brand of water? Makro’s own brand as it’s the cheapest
97. Did you go on vacation last month? Went to Leeds to look at a hotel
98. Have you ever been on a cruise? Oh yes ! ! !
99. Do you have a sister? Yes
100. Are you upstairs? I most certainly am
Marie
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Stuffed
Yes, that’s exactly how we both are following our two Christmas lunches.
Christmas day was lovely. We got up reasonably late, then took our time opening the presents left from Father Christmas.
Yesterday we were entertaining my mam and boy was she looking forward to her ‘Christmas lunch’.
She thought I was only joking when I said we were each only going to have one Brussels sprout – we had four each on Christmas day, what more do you want ! ! !
What with the two lunches, Christmas cake, crisps, mince pies, chocolate and wine, I dread to think how much weight we’ll have put on once the holidays are over.
The diet definitely starts in January…
Marie
Christmas day was lovely. We got up reasonably late, then took our time opening the presents left from Father Christmas.
Yesterday we were entertaining my mam and boy was she looking forward to her ‘Christmas lunch’.
She thought I was only joking when I said we were each only going to have one Brussels sprout – we had four each on Christmas day, what more do you want ! ! !
What with the two lunches, Christmas cake, crisps, mince pies, chocolate and wine, I dread to think how much weight we’ll have put on once the holidays are over.
The diet definitely starts in January…
Marie
Sunday, December 24, 2006
A horse on four piles of bricks
A while ago (2005 HBA Autumn conference to be precise) Paul was telling us about a particularly rough area he had to visit. I suggested that it might be the sort of place where you could leave a horse unattended and come back to find it on four piles of bricks.
I’m now beginning to think he was referring to our area.
Some of you will already know about the “scavengers” who scour the back lanes for anything that isn’t bolted down. Well yesterday they excelled themselves.
During the afternoon two men emerged from the backyard of a house round the corner from ours and deposited two sofas in the back lane. Fair enough at any other time. It’s what you have to if you want the council to take things away. But a Saturday afternoon, two days before Christmas.
By nine o’clock the local kids had pulled one across the back lane, blocking it to traffic. We looked out before going to bed at eleven, and both had vanished !!!
Nine or ten o’clock on a Saturday night, two days before Christmas and they’ve got nothing better to do than patrol the back lanes looking for something to scavenge.
We’ve seen things vanish before but never at this time. We once arranged for the council to collect an old cooker. I duly put it out, but before the council could come, we heard the sound of it being dragged away. We did the same with the old central heating boiler. This time it went bit by bit. Someone was making repeated visits with a spanner and taking away as much as they could carry.
Really it’s a bit worrying, strangers out there in the dead of night – or even the middle of the day.
OK, rant over. Good news. The new kitchen doors are fitted. Photograph to follow in the next few days. The kitchen is a bit busy at the moment.
And finally, from both of us to all of you, Merry Christmas
John & Marie
I’m now beginning to think he was referring to our area.
Some of you will already know about the “scavengers” who scour the back lanes for anything that isn’t bolted down. Well yesterday they excelled themselves.
During the afternoon two men emerged from the backyard of a house round the corner from ours and deposited two sofas in the back lane. Fair enough at any other time. It’s what you have to if you want the council to take things away. But a Saturday afternoon, two days before Christmas.
By nine o’clock the local kids had pulled one across the back lane, blocking it to traffic. We looked out before going to bed at eleven, and both had vanished !!!
Nine or ten o’clock on a Saturday night, two days before Christmas and they’ve got nothing better to do than patrol the back lanes looking for something to scavenge.
We’ve seen things vanish before but never at this time. We once arranged for the council to collect an old cooker. I duly put it out, but before the council could come, we heard the sound of it being dragged away. We did the same with the old central heating boiler. This time it went bit by bit. Someone was making repeated visits with a spanner and taking away as much as they could carry.
Really it’s a bit worrying, strangers out there in the dead of night – or even the middle of the day.
OK, rant over. Good news. The new kitchen doors are fitted. Photograph to follow in the next few days. The kitchen is a bit busy at the moment.
And finally, from both of us to all of you, Merry Christmas
John & Marie
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
What we’ve always wanted
My mam has finally decided where she will be spending Christmas day. It’s with my sister.
I’m happy with that as my mam came to ours last year and it means that for the very first time we’ll have a Christmas the way we want it.
Because we have always tried to please everyone, we’ve spent Christmas day on the go and at times the day has passed with a blur.
This year is going to be different. We can get up when we want – instead of having to set the alarm in case we oversleep. We don’t have to stick to a rigid timetable - so what if the potatoes take longer to cook, we’re not going anywhere so don’t have to worry about being late.
We can also do something we’ve longed to do – have a glass of fizzy whilst preparing the lunch. In the past one of us has been the taxi driver so couldn’t.
It’ll be my very first Christmas without seeing my mam at sometime during the day. We haven’t received the ‘Royal Invite’ for tea and even if we had I’m sure we’ll be otherwise occupied…
However my mam is coming to ours on Boxing Day and she’s asked if we could do her a ‘Christmas lunch’. My sister and her family will be having their usual Christmas meal – pasta, pasta and more pasta.
So this Christmas we’ll be having two Christmas lunches.
It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it ! ! !
Marie
I’m happy with that as my mam came to ours last year and it means that for the very first time we’ll have a Christmas the way we want it.
Because we have always tried to please everyone, we’ve spent Christmas day on the go and at times the day has passed with a blur.
This year is going to be different. We can get up when we want – instead of having to set the alarm in case we oversleep. We don’t have to stick to a rigid timetable - so what if the potatoes take longer to cook, we’re not going anywhere so don’t have to worry about being late.
We can also do something we’ve longed to do – have a glass of fizzy whilst preparing the lunch. In the past one of us has been the taxi driver so couldn’t.
It’ll be my very first Christmas without seeing my mam at sometime during the day. We haven’t received the ‘Royal Invite’ for tea and even if we had I’m sure we’ll be otherwise occupied…
However my mam is coming to ours on Boxing Day and she’s asked if we could do her a ‘Christmas lunch’. My sister and her family will be having their usual Christmas meal – pasta, pasta and more pasta.
So this Christmas we’ll be having two Christmas lunches.
It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it ! ! !
Marie
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Virtual dinner party
The other day we were discussing who we’d each have as guests at a virtual dinner party. The only rule was we were not allowed to invite family or friends - past or present - other than each other.
So here are my 10 dinner party guests (and why).
1: Myself
2: John
3: Bing Crosby
The star of my number one and three all time favourite films
4:
5: Mrs Beeton
A legend in cookery and household management
6: Oscar Levant
Concert pianist, composer, actor and friend of the Gershwins
7: John McEnroe
My number second favourite tennis player (sorry Lendl, you’re my favourite but you’d be too boring…)
8: Marguerite Patten
The Home Economist who advised women on cookery in WWII
9: Michael Palin
Great travel writer and broadcaster
10: Captain Bligh
Captain of the ‘Mutiny of the Bounty’
As I’d be cooking the dinner myself this is what I’ve chosen
1st Course: Wild mushroom filo tartlets
2nd Course: Roast duck and vegetables (but not too many)…
3rd Course: Chocolate fondant pudding
Marie
So here are my 10 dinner party guests (and why).
1: Myself
2: John
3: Bing Crosby
The star of my number one and three all time favourite films
4:
5: Mrs Beeton
A legend in cookery and household management
6: Oscar Levant
Concert pianist, composer, actor and friend of the Gershwins
7: John McEnroe
My number second favourite tennis player (sorry Lendl, you’re my favourite but you’d be too boring…)
8: Marguerite Patten
The Home Economist who advised women on cookery in WWII
9: Michael Palin
Great travel writer and broadcaster
10: Captain Bligh
Captain of the ‘Mutiny of the Bounty’
As I’d be cooking the dinner myself this is what I’ve chosen
1st Course: Wild mushroom filo tartlets
2nd Course: Roast duck and vegetables (but not too many)…
3rd Course: Chocolate fondant pudding
Marie
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Everything comes to those who wait
Yesterday whilst I was at my mams, she announced that she wanted to get a mobile phone and also to get connected to the internet in the new year.
We wanted to get her a mobile last Christmas but we were told rather bluntly that it would be a waste of money as it would be kept in it’s box, in a drawer. As for the internet we offered to sort it out for her before we went on our cruise so we could keep in touch via email. Again we were told no.
However my mam has a habit of changing her mind so it didn’t come as no surprise.
So I spent the next hour showing her how to send a text message on my mobile. Thanks Jenny for your help. As I put in a text to Jenny, I needed a hammer…
I then spent another hour trying to explain the difference between dial up and broadband and what web pages and downloads were.
I have a feeling the next few months are not going to be easy…
Marie
PS for lunch yesterday she made chicken and salad wraps. Guess what she asked me – yes did I want any tomatoes on it…. You’d think after all the years of me telling her I don’t like them, she’d finally remember.
She then wiped the knife after cutting the cucumber.
‘Why did you do that’, I asked.
‘Because John doesn’t like cucumber’.
I was not amused because
a) She can remember that John doesn’t like cucumber but can’t with me and tomatoes.
b) He wasn’t even there ! ! ! ! ! !
We wanted to get her a mobile last Christmas but we were told rather bluntly that it would be a waste of money as it would be kept in it’s box, in a drawer. As for the internet we offered to sort it out for her before we went on our cruise so we could keep in touch via email. Again we were told no.
However my mam has a habit of changing her mind so it didn’t come as no surprise.
So I spent the next hour showing her how to send a text message on my mobile. Thanks Jenny for your help. As I put in a text to Jenny, I needed a hammer…
I then spent another hour trying to explain the difference between dial up and broadband and what web pages and downloads were.
I have a feeling the next few months are not going to be easy…
Marie
PS for lunch yesterday she made chicken and salad wraps. Guess what she asked me – yes did I want any tomatoes on it…. You’d think after all the years of me telling her I don’t like them, she’d finally remember.
She then wiped the knife after cutting the cucumber.
‘Why did you do that’, I asked.
‘Because John doesn’t like cucumber’.
I was not amused because
a) She can remember that John doesn’t like cucumber but can’t with me and tomatoes.
b) He wasn’t even there ! ! ! ! ! !
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
But I thought I told you
Two years ago my mam suddenly decided that she didn’t want to go shopping for Christmas presents that year, as it was would be the first Christmas without my dad and it was too upsetting for her.
So she asked everyone if we could ‘donate’ some presents from the ones we had already bought so she would at least have something to wrap up.
She didn’t decide this until the middle of December so there was some panic buying from Amazon to replace the ‘donated’ presents.
My mam decided a couple of weeks ago that she had had enough of shopping so asked if we could ‘donate’ presents again.
Whilst I was at my mams today (Christmas food shopping at Sainsburys – she asked a shop assistant where she would find the bread she got before, but could remember which kind it was – I kid you not ! ! ! Thankfully she was a very patient assistant so after twenty questions she found it…) she asked when I come on Friday, could I bring ‘her presents’.
I mentioned this to John tonight and got a stunned silence. I had forgotten to tell him ! ! !
Guess what he’s doing right now…
Marie
So she asked everyone if we could ‘donate’ some presents from the ones we had already bought so she would at least have something to wrap up.
She didn’t decide this until the middle of December so there was some panic buying from Amazon to replace the ‘donated’ presents.
My mam decided a couple of weeks ago that she had had enough of shopping so asked if we could ‘donate’ presents again.
Whilst I was at my mams today (Christmas food shopping at Sainsburys – she asked a shop assistant where she would find the bread she got before, but could remember which kind it was – I kid you not ! ! ! Thankfully she was a very patient assistant so after twenty questions she found it…) she asked when I come on Friday, could I bring ‘her presents’.
I mentioned this to John tonight and got a stunned silence. I had forgotten to tell him ! ! !
Guess what he’s doing right now…
Marie
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
At last…
… we’ve found a joiner who:
Does return calls.
Gives a precise time when he can come out to have a look - and arrives on the dot.
Rings up the very next day with a sensible quote.
And can fit the doors two days before Christmas.
As it’s the Season of Goodwill and all that, I’m going to be kind to B&Q. Instead of asking them for the money before the work is done, I’ve decide to pay the little man then get them to reimburse me.
See, I do have a nice streak in me after all ! ! !
Marie
Does return calls.
Gives a precise time when he can come out to have a look - and arrives on the dot.
Rings up the very next day with a sensible quote.
And can fit the doors two days before Christmas.
As it’s the Season of Goodwill and all that, I’m going to be kind to B&Q. Instead of asking them for the money before the work is done, I’ve decide to pay the little man then get them to reimburse me.
See, I do have a nice streak in me after all ! ! !
Marie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)