59+1/365+1 ; Extraordinary

Happy Leap Day everyone!  What are you going to do with your extra day?  Any ladies planning to propose?!  I hope you find time to snap something


Now I know your eyes are an extraordinary part of your body - but mine are driving me mad at the moment. I know I am as blind as a bat (succumbed to reading glasses and have a feeling that varifocals are the next rung down on the eyesight ladder!)  but  this is ridculous.

My eyelids keep twitching - it is the upper eyelid on my left eye and the lower one on my right eye. I have been told the technical term is Blepharospam. I have been to Specsavers and basically they say it is due to tiredness or stress - I am awake at silly o clock everyday but think I compensate for it by going to bed early - even before the boys some nights!!

At work I have to use 2 computer screens which might not be helping matters although I have reduced the brightness of them quite a lot - but what if it stops me from reading???? I can't imagine not being able to read for hours on end!!

WOYWW 29th February

Long time no see!

My crafting has been non exsistant for a little while now - but the combination of a new Scrapagogo kit and my local crop saw me produce 3 pages on Sunday - and here is my 4th which is a work in progress. Over on UKS my team is doing a Chinese Whispers challenge - we each started out with a page which we emailed to the next team member. Each fortnight we get a new page and it will be interesting to see how each page changes from person to person. 

Pop over and see Julia at The Stamping Ground to see what everyone else is up to today.

59/365+1 : Grey

Grey isn't a very inspiring colour (as others have said it reminds me of my old John Beddoes school uniform - yuk!)

But you can't get much more grey than a HB pencil - converted to B&W on instagram.

58/365+1 : Tree

Today we had another word choice - it was either misty or tree. As it has been quite a nice day up here I went for tree.

This is a sapling Beech I think) tree in our back garden. Back on 5th December 2009 we took part in Tree O Clock which was a campaign to get as many trees planted in one hour as part of National Tree Week. We planted 4 in total but only 2 have made it this far. You can read my original blog post about it here.

It has no buds or anything on it yet but it is great to see our very own tree growing. Here is another photo so you can see just how spindly it is.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have had plenty of time to read over the weekend and have managed to get up to date with my reading target for the year. Have just finished Big Fat Gypsy Weddings which accompanied the first TV series which I really enjoyed.

But for a change of pace I have picked up the 18th Alex Cross book - Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson. It is his usual break neck speed plot but so far it isn't really doing it for me - fingers crossed it gets better.

Detective Alex Cross is one of the first on the scene of the biggest case he's ever been part of. The President's son and daughter have been abducted from their school - an impossible crime, but somehow the kidnapper has done it. Alex does everything he can but is shunted to the fringes of the investigation. Someone powerful doesn't want Cross too close.

A deadly contagion in the DC water supply threatens to cripple the capital, and Alex sees the looming shape of the most devastating attack the United States has ever experienced. He is already working flat-out on the abduction, and this massive assault pushes Cross completely over the edge.

With each hour that passes, the chance of finding the children alive diminishes. In an emotional private meeting, the First Lady asks Alex to please save her kids. But even the highest security clearance doesn't get him any closer to the kidnapper - and Alex makes a desperate decision that goes against everything he believes in.

A full-throttle thriller with unstoppable action, unrestrained emotion, and relentless suspense, Kill Alex Cross is the most gripping Alex Cross novel James Patterson has ever written.

57/365+1 : Light

As light as a feather.

Taken this morning as I went for a wander whilst Callum was playing rugby.

56/365+1 : Saturday

IWelllllll .... we were going to have a few days of weather themed prompts, but I'm thinking that's not going to work too well ... so I'm going to give you a choice!

The planned prompt for today was 

raindrops

but if it's not raining were you are and any other interpretation of the word is too much for the brain cells, show me something that tells you it's

Saturday



I am glad we had a choice of prompts for today as raindrops  would have been a difficult one - as we have sunshine, blue skies and 10 degrees - maybe Spring is on it's way?


My Saturdays are very similar to Suzie's - football! Although later we have the much anticipated 6 Nations match at 4pm - lets hope the Welsh royally stuff the English at Twickenham this afternoon.


So today was football for us although Callum hadn't been picked for the team he still waned to go down and lend his support (I did wonder if he had his kit on under his clothes just in case someone didn't turn up! It was a home game so I quickly popped into town and then returned with a skinny vanilla spiced latte for myself and a hot chocolate (with whipped cream) for himself - a very civilised way to watch the game - which was a corker resulting in a 5 all draw.  

55/365+1 : Cloud

Anyone who reads my blog will know that I love pointing my camera upwards and taking photos of the sky!! I have taken part in the Skywatch Friday blog for almost 2 years now - you should have a look as there are some fabulous photos on there.

Here is my shot of Elgin Cathedral this afternoon - as you can see we have had a lovely day up here today (although it is only 8 degrees after yesterdays 15!)

Here are a couple more shots that I took:  

Skywatch Friday

Last Saturday Callum's football team has a game through at Dyke Primary School.

The morning started off like this:

And then turned to this:

And ended up like this:

Pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

Chick Lit Reading Challenge 2012 # 3

A Christmas fling, or has Janie found the real thing? Thirty-something hairdresser Janie Johnson's single status is a constant source of gossip for her friends and clients. So after too many nights in with her cat, a blind date disaster and news that her ex is getting married, Janie realises it's time to do something dramatic with her life. It's time for an adventure! Leaving winter behind, Janie takes the plunge and books an exotic trip to Africa. Her friends think she's mad and Janie thinks they may very well be right ...but then she falls head over heels for her tour guide - and fully fledged Maasai Warrior - Dominic. But can Janie now face spending a snowy Christmas back home without him? Packed with unforgettable characters, romance and laughter, Wrapped Up In You is your very own perfect Christmas Carole!

Not a very Christmassy storyline which is what I was expecting but despite this I thought this was a fantastic piece of chick lit. I liked the main character of Janie but was a bit worried with the introduction of Dominic that it was going to get rather silly - and life is too short to read silly books! But I loved it and raced through it as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. A true feel good book to warm your heart - can't wait for her next book now which is due out in a couple of months.

54/365+1 : In The Details

We have booked our holiday cottage in the South West for our summer holiday (avoiding the English school summer holidays so making it much more affordable - yay!) So now it is just down to planning the details - like what things do we really want to see. Top of my list is The Eden Project and possibly The Lost Gardens Of Heligan if we can fit it all in one day - then it is lunch in The Williams Arms and a fish supper from Squires - can you tell how much I am looking forward to this???

53/365+1 : Ordinary

You can't get much more ordinary than the supermarket. Popped in this afternoon between a scrummy lunch with my best friend and picked Callum up from badminton training. All I wanted was some crumpets (and they have to be Warburtons!) for my tea and I don't have any in. Has to be a quick tea tonight as we are off out dancing tonight - woo hoo!

Place looks deserted doesn't it - it wasn't - so this was a lucky shot with no "randoms" (as my son calls strangers) in!!

52/365+1 : Sky High

I did have a back up photo for today (which was Callum playing on the swings whilst waiting for his Dad to come out of the dentist) just in case the traditional pancake tossing photo didn't quite go to plan.

As you can see it was a success - and I just love the expression on his face.

I have to admit I cannot make pancakes (proper pancakes not the small thick things they try to pass off as pancakes up here!) to save my life - this is where Dad comes into his own!!!!

51/365+1 : Fragile

Not very inspired I know but after a particularly crappy day at work ( I work for the council so I shouldn't be surprised that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing!!)

As the saying goes:

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.


 Nor a cake...............

It's Monday. What are you reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! Not really sure why I picked up the James Corden autobiography in the library - I have seen him on Comic relief and caught the odd episode of A League Of Their Own but the whole Gavin and Stacey things passed me by (soon to be rectified as a daughter of a friend has lent me the whole boxed set so I can watch it from start to finish.)


As far back as he can remember James Corden has only ever wanted to be in one place: in front of you, doing something to make you cry, shout, scream or giggle uncontrollably; whether it's entertaining the congregation at his baby sister's christening at the age of four, clowning around in class, or snogging Sue Barker in front of thousands of people at Sports Relief. But it wasn't that easy getting there. Growing up, his dad would drive him up and down to London for auditions, sometimes three or four times a week, only to be met with constant knockbacks. Even the teenage distractions of girls, forming his own pop group, attempted (and failed) shoplifting, or the endless detentions he'd get from exasperated teachers didn't put him off. He knew where he wanted to be and he'd keep on trying until he got there. "May I Have Your Attention Please?" is the story of how it all happened. From his time as one of the founding players of his school's first ever rugby team to nationwide fame as the loveably loud Smithy in the award-winning "Gavin and Stacey", this is a tenderly - and very funnily - told story of what it's like to try, try and try again and get there in the end.

I read some not very glowing reviews before I started the book and dithered about whether or not to read it - I feel peeved if by the time I get to the end of a book and then wished I hadn't wasted my time. But I have been pleasantly surprised by this one - it isn't laugh out loud funny but it is an amusing account of his life so far - and I am now determined to watch Gavin and Stacey in its entirety.

50/365+1 : Fashion

Another tricky one today. Nothing that belongs to myself would come under the word "fashion" - certainly not my clothes or my taste in music! But I have a teenager in the house - but I had to wait for him to get home from kickboxing training this morning before I found my subject. These are his favourite trainers (one of 4 pairs he bought in the States last Summer and we had to sour many many sports shops till we found them!!) But these are only worn to training and back - they cannot be worn for actually walking too far in - as that might mean they get dirty!!!! To me they look big and clumpy but they are what all the kids are wearing round here - so they much be in fashion.

49/365+1 : Domestic

An easier word for today. I try to carry out minimal domestic chores over the weekend - I prefer to fit them in during the week leaving the weekend free for what I want to do. But needs must and all that (due to Callum's dirty football boots mainly) I had to get the hoover out. I ditched the cumbersome Dyson a few months ago and love this little chap - as you just pull him along after you and it makes the job of cleaning up and around the stairs so much easier.

48/365+1 : Abstract

This one has be stumped for a while.

After work I popped over to the library (I have an hour to kill between finishing work and picking Callum up from school so instead of wandering aimlessly around town I go to the library to read) and there was an exhibition of oil paintings by a local artist.

This one from a distance you could see it was of the crashing waves - but up close and personal it could have been of absolutely anything. I'm not a fan of oil painting but she did have a triptych of tree painting which were lovely - but with a not so lovely price tag!!!

Skywatch Friday

On Sunday we went over to Cullen for a walk along the beach and lunch in a fabby little cafe - a very pleasant afternoon.

Snap 2012 : Week 6

As it is Valentine's Day on Tuesday, our theme for the week is ... love

Had to visit a few sweetie shops to track down a packet of Love Hearts! Today I found bags of teeny tiny ones which would make perfect toppers for cupcakes - watch this space!

47/365+1 : what's Inside Your Handbag

I don't do anything as girly as carry a handbag - it has to be something rather more substantial and big enough to caryy my books and a packed lunch for work. So it is usually a rucksack.

As has already been pointed out to me over on Facebook this is a doctored photo - I couldn't bring myslef to include bus and library self service tickets and the half a dozen teaspoons that had accumulated (from aforementioned packed lunches!) But if I am just popping out I take a shoulder bag - so beacuase I chop and change my bags I don't really accumulate too much clutter.

In my bag today were:

2 library books - one that I am reading and a new one I picked up today
a guide to Argyll as we have just booked a short break there for later in the year
my reading glasses
3 lipsalves
my phone
umbrella
work ID pass
pen
holder for my library cards

Chick Lit Challenge 2012 #2

I love an Irish author and a story set in the Emerald Isle so I was please to see Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Claudia Carroll. I am sure I must have read one of her books before but for the life of me I cannot remember which one.



Absence makes the heart grow fonder…doesn’t it?

What happens when two people decide to give themselves the year off…from each other?

Annie and Dan were the perfect couple. But now the not-so-newly weds feel more like flatmates than soul mates and wonder where all the fun and fireworks went …

When Annie lands her big break in a smash-hit show that’s heading for the bright lights of Broadway, she’s over the moon. Goodbye remote Irish village of Stickens, hello fabulous Big Apple! But with their relationship already on the rocks, how will Annie and Dan survive the distance?

They’re hitting the pause button on their marriage. One year off from each other – no strings attached, except a date to meet in twelve months at the Rockefeller Centre to decide their fate.

Will they both turn up? Or is it too late for love?

Lose yourself in a fabulously entertaining and poignant love story – perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes.

I enjoyed the main characters of Annie and Dan and the New York setting for part of the story - even though the idea of having a gap year from your marriage seems a little improbable. But I did enjoy it - even has the prerequisite happy ending - and nice light read.

46/365+1 : Bloom

No flowers here on Valentines Day - hubby knows I wouldn't really thank him for them. I do like flowers and think they are pretty - but always find cut flowers in a vase a bit sad. I would much rather see flowers growing in my garden - like these grape hyacinths. My Nan always had these growing in her garden - and they remind me of her.

Happy Valentines Day

I have to admit it is a bit of a non event in this house - just another excuse for the shops to get us to part with more money - and as pretty as a bunch of flowers are I always think what a waste of money they are - I would far rather a plant for the garden!!

But there was a box of choccies waiting for me when I came down this morning - hubby had left them there when he left for work at 5.30am.

I did make a (very) simple card.























But a lovely lady who bakes up a storm in her house made me a box of scrummy valentines cupcakes - they look almost too good to eat.






So I am just waiting for hubby to get home from work was he is cooking us fillet steak with all the trimmings for tea - my mouth is watering at the thought of it!!

45/365+1 : Candle

I think this will be the 3rd candle photo I have posted for this challenge - but this is a sampler of Partylite votives I had forgotten I had.



I love Partylite candles and as you can see from the photo below I have quite a collection of candles and candle holders bought from various parties over the years!! I actually have the current catalogue sitting on my desk as a work colleague is sending away an order this week. Now do I need any more candles..............

44/365+1 : Friendship

Some lovely posts today by our band of 365+1ers - and once again I come back to Anne's blog which features some of her fellow 365+1 friends. It is so nice to pop into each others lives on a daily basis and we catch up with the prompts - I can guarantee we are all going to know each other so much better by the end of it - even though we have never (and probably won't ever) meet. Some of us already know each other from UK Scrappers or the phenomenon that is Facebook but we all share a common love of photography.

My photo for today is of a couple of friendship bracelets I bought in the States last Summer after seeing my sister in law and niece wearing them.



My other photo was also taken while we were on holiday and shows my 2 boys. Although a majority of the time they act like warring factions I really do believe they are the best of friends. Although I myself don't have a very close relationship with my brother I do hope that they stay close and that they will always have each other - even if I do feel like banging their heads together most of the time!!

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

This morning I have finished Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson which is one of the new Richard and Judy Book Club choices. Not sure I would have picked it up if it hadn't of been for this book club as it isn't my usual read.



"Imagine drifting off every night knowing that your memories will be wiped away by morning. That's the fate of Christine Lucas, whose bewildering internal world is rendered with chilling intimacy in this debut literary thriller. . . . You'll stay up late reading until you know."--People (4 stars)

It took me a while to get into it but then I couldn't put it down - it is Monday morning and I should be getting ready for work but instead I was sitting in bed reading!! I knew there was going to be a twist in the tail but I couldn't work out who it was going to be - keeps you guessing till almost the end. Brilliant.

Think I will go for something a bit lighter for my next read - possibly Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Claudia Carroll - mainly because I think I have had it out of the library for ages!



Please pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading this week.

43/365+1 : From Your Past

Today we had to photograph something from our past. Many of my "treasures" are still packed away in boxes in the loft following our move 3 years ago. But this little chap has managed to sneak his way down to Callum's bedroom.

My constant companion when I was younger was a home made Fozzy Bear - he looks rather moth eaten (and probably a bit smelly!) but I couldn't part with him - so he is safe and sound in the loft with giant teddy Jasmine (a teddy wearing a knitted dress) and a thread bear rabbit which used to sit in my pram.

I still love the Muppets - A Muppet Christmas Carol is essential viewing every festive season - and Callum and I are planning a trip to see the new Muppet Movie in the near future.



After reading Ann's moving post this morning I thought I was also add a childhood photo - this one re-emerged on Facebook a while back and it shows me and my brother with our cousin in the middle. Not sure how old I was , probably about 7, and the photo was taken down on Teignmouth Beach.

42/365+1 : Portrait Of A Loved One

Today, as it's Saturday and many of us have a bit more time, I want you all to set up a fabulous ...

portrait of a loved one

Thought I was going to fail miserably with this one as both of the boys have mates round so there is no way they would indulge my photographic challenge - and I wasn't sure that Andy would oblige either - so I had a back up plan.

But on a trip out to visit friends I dd manage to persuade him to pose for me on a very chilly and misty harbour wall in Hopeman.



And this was my tongue in cheek back up plan - an inmate of a local pig farm!!!