"Love" doesn't even come close ...

to explaining how I felt about this movie. I ADORED it. It really was an "epic" reminding me of those timeless, classic movies like Gone With The Wind. Both Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman were stunning - all I can say is OSCAR!

I have already downloaded the soundtrack and will most definitely buy the movie when it is released onto DVD.

Off to "Australia"

Not back home but to the movie "Australia". Going to see it with my Mum and Dad today. Really looking forward to it as I think it's going to be great!

I love this mug!

As it so happens, I am already a fan of Emma Bridgewater (I love her "Daniel Craig" teatowel) but this is one of my favourite mugs. I first spotted it for a friend of mine (a bookworm) and have been waiting for an excuse to buy it for myself ~ but Santa beat me to it! I absolutely love it .... and it's so true!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I can't believe it - it's almost here!

One more sleep!!

All I can say is

MERRY CHRISTMAS

(to my Finnish family: Hyvää Joulua!)

(to my Swedish friends: God Jul!)

(to my Flemish friends: Zalig Kerstfeest!)

(to my Colombian friends: ¡Feliz Navidad!)
(to my friends in China this year: Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan!)

(to my Irish friends: Nollaig Shona Dhuit!)

I need me some smouldering Elvis.... STAT!

Ahhh that's better. Having a really horrible time at work (every day I get another example of why I need to leave here and find a new job STAT) and my boss is determined to make this a really horrible Christmas for me. Let's look at this effort so far:

1. He didn't pay me! I was due to be paid (with a contracted bonus) last Friday - the last weekend before Christmas (i.e. perfect timing to finish off my shopping - both gift and food).

2. He finally paid me last night (AFTER the weekend) but grudgingly!

3. Despite giving him and my two other bosses, really nice and expensive presents, he hasn't given me anything and has WITH-HELD the presents my other bosses gave him to pass on to me.

4. We haven't had a Christmas lunch or meal.

5. I was due to be off tomorrow (we should be closing today and re-opening on 5th January) and had used my overtime to take the day off to chill out and do all the last minute things I couldn't afford to do on the weekend when I didn't get paid and he's just demanded I come in tomorrow to print off an email for him (????!!!!!) and I have to be in early and he'll let me know LATE afternoon, when I can leave .... and I might have to come in as well on the 27th and 2nd ... to PRINT EMAILS?!?!!

It's just one thing after another and I am so upset, I could just burst into tears (although I don't want to give him the satisfaction).

Every single day I look for a new job and I hope and pray one of my applications that I've submitted comes off EARLY in the new year!

Two sleeps!

until Christmas?!

I am so excited and cannot wait! Eeek! Eeek! Eeek! Squeeeeeal!

Happy Birthday to my friends Liv & Tania!

I thought this was soooooo appropriate, Liv! CAKE!

Have a fantastic birthday today Liv and Tania!

Twilight ... the short review

Simply, I adoooooooooooored it!

In other words, if I had to give it a number from 1 to 10, I'd give it a gazillion. :-)

T Minus Eight Hours

until I see

TWILIGHT!!!!

It is released today in England (can anyone say .... EEEEK??!) I am so excited. I am going to the 5pm session which means I got into work early, am working through lunch all so I can leave early and see this movie.

Keep the Faith

I had a interview yesterday (from 11.30pm to 2.45pm) for a position I really wanted. You know when everything comes together and it just feels right?!

They promised to call us at 5pm (same day) and let us know but it was at 6pm, I was called and told I didn't get it. However Andrew (the Principal) was really lovely and said I was (and I quote) a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry close second and that they had spent the last hour trying to decide between me and the ultimately successful candidate.

He said what swayed it was the amount of PR / Marketing duties required and the lady they went with had more experience in that field. He said I couldn't have improved my application or interview as everything excellent and I was an incredibly strong candidate. He actually was very sweet and made me feel quite good for doing so well, despite of the end result.

I KNOW my job is out there (I did think this might be it) so I am acknowledging the disappointment and just congratulating myself for coming so close. And most of all? I'm keeping the faith.....

Success!

I have this written on a little plastic card in my diary and I was reading it this morning and thought I'd share it here.

To laugh often and much,
to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children,
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier, because you have lived,
this is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christmas Tag!

Tagged by Gena so here goes...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Can I say both? I love wrapping presents and then putting them in a gift bag (yes, I am destroying the planet one gift bag at a time...)

2. Real tree or Artificial? (Chanting...) Fake, Fake, Fake! I am too much of a neat-freak to handle dropped pine needles.

3. When do you put up the tree? The 1st December or the weekend before...

4. When do you take the tree down? Quite soon after Christmas but I leave something up for the 12 days of Christmas (don't want bad luck).

5. Do you like eggnog? Never had it but that doesn't stop me from thinking I would really dislike it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Campervan. I STILL remember opening it.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Sometimes you stumble upon something you just know is perfect for someone but there's no one per se that is easy to buy for.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Old-fashioned snail mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I am too diplomatic to say here....

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? EARLY! (I am talking January early). I have to get everything bought, wrapped and sent by September to make Sea Mailing dates for Australia!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope. Do not dig re-gifting.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The whole traditional Christmas meal Mum makes.

16. Lights on the tree? Love lights on the tree - especially twinkly ones. I have static coloured ones on mine - bargain from Asda for about £3!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Grown Up Christmas List by Michael Buble

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Being with family - so I travel four miles most years to my parents and every now and then 10,000 miles back home to Australia!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Arrrhhhh.... there's Rudolph. And Dasher. Dancer. Prancer. Comet. Vixen............ It'll come to me...

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have a star but I love Angels.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? If home in Australia, we open the presents on Christmas Eve with the Finnish-side of the family (as per the Finnish tradition) but here in England, I open them on Christmas Day morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Grumpiness of shoppers (including me), big crowds and being unable to find a parking space anywhere.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like traditional colours (red and green) and love my fun ornaments like a koala with a santa hat, flip flops, and a girl wanting to go shopping!

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? ALL of it!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new job and my Christmas bonus!

I tag everyone who loves Christmas!

Page Clips .... I love them!!!

My newest favourite thing. Magnetic page clips! Oh my! Now I have a "thing" for bookmarks anyway and have about 200 stuffed into a Tiffany & Co bag on my nightstand and ceremoniously select a new bookmark when I start a new book but since I've taken to bringing a book with me to work, these magnetic page clips are a Godsend! They are small, extra cute, and keep your place no matter how much your book gets thrown about in your hang bag!

The two designs I have are the penguin and cat (cuuuuute) and I am loving them. You also get four or six in each pack (I can't remember how many). Bargain!

You can check out more designs at: http://www.writing.com/main/shop/item_id/12345/id/1065

P.S. I Love You

I used to belong to LoveFilm (a DVD rental service) but when I was cutting back, I got rid of my membership. Anyway I was thinking about it the other day, wishing I had my membership back when low and behold, they sent me a Gift Card for 2 months free rentals :-) WOO HOO

So today I sat down and watched "P.S. I Love You".... and cried from probably the opening scene.... and then continued all the way through.

One of my favourites part ..... (below)....

Jeffrey Dean Morgan! YUM! I love him (love him as Denny in Grey's and as John Winchester in Supernatural!) I just love him! Lovely, sad, uplifting, film!

Pub Quiz

As you know I am in a local Village Pub Quiz team and once a month on a Friday we meet at the pub and test our wits, (finally an outlet for all those random factoids I've accumulated over the years).

We have never come lower than third and last time we WON! WOO HOO! Anyway I thought I'd share the quiz for a bit of fun and you can see how many you got right. There are two parts - a general quiz and then a picture quiz. I'll post the answers below too!

GENERAL QUIZ

1. Who replaced John Prescott as the new deputy leader of the Labour Party?

2. Who has the most Chirstmas Number 1s since the Singles Chart began in 1955?

3. How many countries make up Great Britain?

4. Who plays Inspector Clouseau in the 2006 remake of Pink Panther?

5. What animal is the Hippopotamus most closely related? Pig, Whale or Rhinoscerous?

6. What is the name of the neighbours in The Simpsons?

7. Who is Joseph Ratzinger?

8. How many full caps for England does David Beckham have?

9. How many children (biological and adopted) does Angelina Jolie have?

10. After Smith & Jones, what are two of the next three most common English-sounding surnames in Great Britain?

11. What number is known as "half way" in a game of Bingo?

12. Which is the largest Desert in the world?

13. What did Louise Brown become famous for in 1978?

14. How many men has America claimed have walked on the moon?

15. What is the race of the "Mighty Quinn" in the song by Manfred Mann?

16. Who is Caryn Elaine Johnson also known as?

17. Constantinople changed it's name to .....?

18. Which sea in the North Atlantic ocean shares no shore line?

19. Which city had the world's first Skyscraper? Chicago, New York or Philadelphia?

20. Which British comedian (part of a comedy double act) was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson in 1890?


THE PICTURE QUIZ
(Click on the image to enlarge)

GENERAL QUIZ ANSWERS:

1. Answer: Harriet Harman

2. Answer: The Beatles

3. Answer: Three (England, Scotland and Wales). The UNITED KINGDOM consists of four (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

4. Answer: Steve Martin

5. Answer: Whale

6. Answer: The Flanders

7. Answer: Pope Benedict XVI

8. Answer: 107

9. Answer: Six

10. Answer: Two from: Williams, Taylor, Brown

11. Answer: 45

12. Answer: The Antartica

13. Answer: She was the world's first "test tube baby".

14. Answer: 12

15. Answer: Eskimo

16. Answer: Whoopi Goldberg

17. Answer: Istanbul

18. Answer: Sargasso Sea

19. Answer: Chicago

20. Answer: Stan Laurel

PICTURE QUIZ ANSWERS:

1. Answer: The Scream

2. Answer: The Laughing Cavalier

3. Answer: Sunflowers

4. Answer: Val Donnican

5. Answer: Cleo Laine

6. Answer: Perry Como

7. Answer: Copenhagen

8. Answer: Berlin

9. Answer: Barcelona

10. Answer: Ed Stewart

11. Answer: Jimmy Young

12. Answer: Mike Reid

SOB!

My favourites, Austin Healy and his professional partner, Erin Boag, were eliminated last night from "Strictly Come Dancing". Soooooob!!!

I am now cheering on Tom Chambers and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup (see below)

Movies! Movies! Movies!

I had a lovely relaxing weekend (after doing some household chores) watching some DVDs that I have been meaning to get around to watching. The first (and best) was "Mamma Mia" with Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. I really, REALLY enjoyed it and so glad that Mum owns it on DVD so I can borrow it and watch it again! (Incidentially I now TOTALLY understand why so many people have been flocking to Greece after watching it. BEAUTIFUL!)



The second was "Palo Pinto Gold" with Trent Willmon (the whole reason I bought the DVD). It was ... ok. I thought Trent was good in it but the script and cinematography was, honestly, quite horrible. It was a low budget and amateurish attempt which is a shame. It could have been fabulous or at the least, better.



The third was Toby Keith's "Beer for my Horses". I don't know what it is but I just really like Toby Keith. I definitely prefer "Broken Bridges" to this endeavour and I prefer the storyline in the "Beer for my Horses" music video to the storyline in the movie but hey ho, what am I gonna do? :-) I might watch it again and see if my opinion improves....

Odd Thomas

What a great book. I've only read 279 pages of 420 but boy I'm really enjoying it. The funny thing is my very VERY first impression was that the story was, well "odd" but within the first fourteen pages, my interest was piqued and I kept reading .... and I am so glad I have. It's been a great and gripping story.

Four Christmases

I had yesterday off and went to see "Four Christmases" (because Tim McGraw was in it) and it was ooooooooooooooooooooooookay. I did laugh out loud at some parts but overall it was pretty cringe-worthy and I couldn't help but think it could have been so much better. Still I got to see Tim on the big screen.

Cute Video - Cat stuck in a Box!

This is so cute! I LOVE the cat's back legs. Makes me smile every time he/she skids across the floor into the box....

Cat Stuck in a Box @ Yahoo! Video

Tim in Redbook

First Snow!

This weekend saw the first snow of winter ~ and it fell all Friday night and during Saturday. Fantastic! A real "winter wonderland" feeling! I loved it and immediately started playing Christmas Carols.

The sky full of snow...

Marshall checking out the falling snow from the safety of the lounge room
(and yes that IS snow on his head).

Still snowing that night!

Streets full of snow.

Oh my new FAVOURITE Blog ~ Cake Wrecks!

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

LMAOOO! I am going to add it to my list of favourite sites!

How I feel today!

The Incredibly Annoying Human Echo

Click on image to enlarge......

I love me some Calvin & Hobbes

YUM

I am loving Nestle's Strawberry Oats & More cereal bars........ YUMMO!!!!!! (In fact I think I'll have one now)

Believe

Isn't this BEAUTIFUL?!

I decorated my guest bedroom in an American theme and my Mum made me this beautiful quilt for the bed! I absolutely love it and think she's so clever. think it also really finishes off the room.... Good job as I have an overseas guest next April too!!!

Gena's Blog Designs!!!

Check out Gena's wonderful Blog Designs here at:

http://knottymoosedesigns.blogspot.com/

She's freaskishly ;) talented. I wish I had an ounce of her creativity and talent!

Lest We Forget

One for the Girls

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my shape to keep.
Please no wrinkles, Please no bags
And please lift my butt before it sags.
Please no age spots, Please no gray
And as for my belly, Please take it away.
Please keep me healthy, Please keep me young,
And thank you Dear Lord, For all that you've done.

Five tips for a woman.....
1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.
3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.
4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
5. It is very important that these four men don't know each other.

Ace of Cakes!

I love LOVE LOOOOVE this show!!!



Chef Duff RULES!

My Little Girl

Thanks Carolyn!!!! I love it!

Travel Insurance for Canadians

One of my dearest friends, Sherry (based in Ayr, Ontario) has started her own business selling Travel Insurance (for Canadians only at this stage).

She used to sell Insurance through a Company but has decided to go out on her own (good for her!) She's honest, hard-working and reliable, not to mention a total sweetheart.

The details I've got from her follow (if any Canadian chums out there are interested):

Ayr Travel Insurance

Phone: (519) 584-4290

Email: ayrtravel@sympatico.ca

I work for a Travel Insurance Broker. We have access to shop around to provide our clients with the best insurance coverage possible.

Weʼll work with them to make sure that current and/or future medical conditions are covered under the policy they purchase. Weʼll also help them find the best value for their insurance dollar.

The company I'm affiliated with is called: Snowbird Medi-Quote and they are located out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their website is: www.mediquote.ca I am a broker with them.

I wish her the best of luck!

Victory!

Beautiful Lies

I don't really know where to start to describe what I thought to "Beautiful Lies" but there's a temptation to start gushing with words like sublime, masterpiece and adored.

Lisa Unger has excelled herself with her debut novel and before you reach the last page, you'll irrevocably know why it was a New York Times bestseller; that the accolades from Lee Childs and Lisa Gardner (among others) are deserved.

Although billed as a thriller, "Beautiful Lies" is more. Different. What set "Beautiful Lies" apart from others in the genre, for me, was subtlety. Somehow the phrasing, nuances and the way she tells the story, grips you. You are no longer just “reading a book” but invested in a story. When I did put down the book (to say, go to work!), I found my mind wandering back to where I was in the story. Thinking about the characters. Musing about where it was all going.

For fans of thrillers and mysteries, simply, this is a must. A book you cannot (and don’t want to) put down. In a word? Sublime.

Slowing Down to the Speed of Life

Eventhough my work life seems to be full of drama, I have found peace in it all.

I have been reading alot and one of the books I recently read was called "What About the Big Stuff?" by Richard Carlson (author of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"). It was really enlightening (not to mention poignant remembering how the author passed away unexpectedly in 2006) and I am approaching things better (or so I think). I have also started relaxing more and being patient. Slowing down to the speed of life. All my life I've been go-go-go, always doing two or four things at once ;) but now I have slowed down.

One of my slowing down strategies has been to read in the bath (I've never ever done that before) but it quietens my mind from the everyday stress, worries etc. Instead of being in and out within 5 minutes, I can now soak away for half an hour. I am in no rush. There's no better place I have to be.

I am also going on the treadmill every day (I figure exercise increased endorphins so I'll feel better, I'll also lose weight and boost my immune system). I read while I am on it (I have to hold the book and the treadmill handles at the same time - LOL) but 35 minutes go by in a blink and again, I am in silence absorbed in a book. It's the quiet times that seems to help with stress and nervous energy.

PLUS my clothes are starting to feel looser which is an amazing feeling ~ and not one, I've had in forever.

So eventhough there's a lot of stress going on right now, I am in a good place. Slowing down really does make everything better.

You Are Mad

Important Medical Advice

I have a friend who works in the Health Profession and felt obligated to share this recently released information:

*Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
*Do you suffer from shyness?
*Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.

Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Attraction to the same sex
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

The Dash

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came his date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For the dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved him,
Knew what that little line was worth
For it matters not, how much we own:
The cars, the house... The cash
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So please think about this long and hard
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try and understand how other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show our appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last awhile.

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Author Unknown

Life of your Dreams...

To create the life of your dreams, the time has come for you to love You. Focus on Your joy. Do all the things that make You feel good. Love You, inside and out. Everything will change in your life when you change the inside of You to love. Allow the Universe to give you every good thing you deserve, by being a magnet to them all. To be a magnet for every single thing you deserve, you must be a magnet of love.

Taken from The Secret Daily Calendar for Sunday 12th October.

My Marshall

Last night when I was reading in bed, Marshall (my cat) came and kept me company. Here he is lying against a pillow watching me read! It was so cute ~ he stayed there for ages (even having a little sleep). Bless.

American Idle

I am still wiping the tears from where this book made me laugh ... and laugh some more!

"American Idle" by Alesia Holliday was a completely unexpected treasure. Lent to me by a friend, I casually picked it up yesterday and finished it in one sitting - laughing my way through it.

Ridiculously entertaining!

When I finished it I realised how long it had been since I read a book where absolutely nothing irritated me about the heroine (in this case Jules Vernon .... and yes that didn't even bother me!). (Upon deeper thought, I wonder what that says about me!)

I found her to be utterly delightful even with the catastrophic wake left wherever she goes (or perhaps because of!) I have since scoured the internet to find my own copy as I am bereft to have to send the book I borrowed back to my friend. It may take some finding but seek this out! It is a highly entertaining and delightful read!