Santa Hat for my PC Monitor

How cute is THIS???!! The wickle ickle Santa's Hat on the top left of my computer monitor. ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Making my desk nice and festive ready for Chrimbo!

The tree is up!

Yesterday I decided to put my Christmas tree up! (Yes I know it's not even the first of December) but with me selling my house, I am not Christmas-fying as I normally do (i.e. house is like Santa's Grotto) but it was nice to put the tree out.

Later that day my Aunt gave me a bauble (we all buy each other a Christmas bauble / decoration every year) and I thought it was hilarious... it says Santa ... I can explain LMAO!

Baby Seals!!!!!

Several weeks ago my Aunt went to RAF Donna Nook across the river in Lincolnshire (we're in Yorkshire) to check out the baby seals. Since the 1970s grey seals have been coming to Donna Nook in the Autumn months to have their pups - over 1,300 were born last year!

It's a sanctuary and completely free and a wonderful place to visit and see baby seals. I went a few days after my Aunt told me about it and was blown away (I took about 100 photos!) Baby and adult seals everywhere. Wild. And all on my 'doorstep'. It was a fantastic experience and a lovely day out. Will definitely be going back next Autumn when they return to see it all again!

Another weekend of Craft Fairs

Mum and I had another weekend of Craft Fairs. The photos above are from the one in the stables of a Stately Home - it was an awesome craft fair and we did really well! I really love our Christmas Craft Fairs as I love Christmas so much and it's nice having Christmassy music playing and being surrounded by Christmas trees etc.

Two Craft Fairs two days in a row was brutal though.

My new True Blood Mug

I painted this mug for myself (as I love True Blood) and I loved this design when I first saw it. Eric and Jessica are actually my favourite characters (in Season 2 anyway) so I'll be on the lookout for an Eric mug to paint for myself!

The saddest news

Yesterday I found out the tragic news that my cousin, Patrick, had passed away aged 41. Patrick had a very aggressive form of MS, such a horrible disease.

When I first found out his diagnosis several years ago, I remember the shock. Unfortunately I never saw him in person after that moment although I was shown a photo which still haunts me. There literally wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think of Patrick, praying for a cure, for peace, for comfort. That day I also started supporting the MS Society and Stem Cell Research.

His family is amazing and as devastated as I am - and I am completely heartbroken - my heart hurts for them the most.

He was a fantastic person and he is sorely missed.

Poorly

Been poorly now for ten days :( with sickness and diahorrea bug. I was off work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but have been back ever since. I had hope to shake the last of the bug this weekend but I still feel absolutely dreadful. Blargh!

Other news, I had my first viewing (of my house) on Saturday which was exciting. A woman around my age who has a small son.

So So Sad!

Stephen Gately (Boyzone) sadly passed away in Majorca last week, aged 33.

I have been watching the funeral procession on Sky News tonight - really sad!

11th October 2009

'We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more. Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever, Steo.' From Ronan, Keith, Mikey & Shane

Happy Birthday Friends

Wishing my lovely chums a wonderful birthday!

Nat - 4th October

Roz - 8th October

Gena - 8th October

Penny - 8th October

Lora - 12th October

Lori - 17th October

Mark - 21st October

Michelle - 22nd October

Sherry - 23rd October

Teddi - 28th October

Truth

I want...

Mum and Dad always said "I want, never gets" but I can't help but say I really want a KINDLE from Amazon.....

For those that know me, I will leave a suitable pause for the inevitable GASP!

elevator music plays

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........

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Yup I want a Kindle. I never ever ever EVER thought I would rather read from a 'computer' than a book but the final straw (besides my inital attraction and interest in Kindle and being a gadget-girl) is reading my HEAVY lump of a book "The Lost Symbol" (I'm enjoying the book but lawwdy it's HEAVY!)

So I'm saving ......

Chris Young ...

Isn't this a lovely surprise to come home too!!!

Thanks Christy! Mwah!

For Sale

I am selling my house ... yup! I have seen a new riverside apartment in the city that I want to buy (the apartment building is built but the individual apartments aren't fitted out) so I've started the process of selling my much-beloved home.

Last week I had two Realtors come and view and value my home and I chose a Real Estate Agent. She's fabulous and I think she'll do the best job!

To sell your home in England, you have to have a HIPs (Home Improvement Pack) and I had the first part of the process done on Tuesday night.

My Agent came back tonight to take the photos and fingers crossed the signs will be up soon and the listing online sooner :) Watch this space!

I love this drink!

I love this flavoured still water - made from fruit and clouds :-)
This is the lemons, lime and spring water one and I loooooooooooooooooove it! Yummo!

My Tea Tonight...

Some yummy "Witches' Brew" Soup (pumpkin & tomato). I've never tried it before but I am in a soup mode and this also helps support the Bat Conservation Trust (no bats were harmed in the making of this soup!)

Speaking of TV....

It's back! My favourite TV show ever .... (combined with it's sister show 'It Takes Two'), Strictly Come Dancing! I like SO many of the couples this year too. Woo hoo!!!

I can't wait to see them all live in January when Marleen, Jo, Mum and I see them in Sheffield. EEEK!

I know it's oh-so-wrong but ....

I'm addicted to America's Next Top Model (Series 12)!

I've never watched it before but it's always talked about in TV shows etc so when the new season aired here in England, I thought I'd watch one episode out of curiosity .... and MAN!, I'm hooked! LOVE IT!

It's fierce!

This is ABSOLUTELY awesome!!!!! Celine & Elvis

Even if you're not an Elvis fan, this is really something. I love when they pan to Elvis - he really does look like he's there!

Lisa Williams ........ Messages from the BEYOND!

Tonight Mum and I are going to see Lisa Williams at the Lyric Theatre, The Lowry in Manchester for her show Messages from Beyond. I really like her TV shows and I think this is her first UK tour so it's going to be an interesting night.

So sad!

I heard the sad news today that Patrick Swayze had passed away. Only 57 years old too. I know he was poorly but this is really sad. RIP.

Ohhh it's finally here

The latest from Dan Brown arrived today! I've already started reading it .... and I love how it's set in Washington DC. Squeallllllllllll!

Clipper!

Me (with Australian flag), Mum (with Finnish flag), my aunt Christine (with Union Jack & St George's Cross)

My Aunt Christine, Mum and Dad (Dad in his Australian Rugby Shirt) all holding the Australian Flag.

The Red Arrows - Spectacular!
The Hull and Humber Yacht

The Australian Yacht in the middle

Today was the start of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (leaving from Hull). Oh it was a FANTASTIC day. Perfect for sailing - all nice and blustery! And I think we had nearly all the Yachts covered between my Aunt, Mum, Dad and me (as we had the Finnish, Australian and English flags!) LOL!

It was fantastic and an amazing turnout - about 100,000 they thought. A really nice atmosphere too. The Red Arrow display was absolutely out of this world and lasted for ages too (we're so used to them doing a fly-by as they train up the Humber, it was nice to see them do so many tricks etc).

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Can't wait to see all the boats back in ten months! (By the way ONLY the Skipper on each Yacht has any sailing experience ... the rest are complete novices!)

Late to the game

I know I'm late to the game but Marleen lent me her copy of Studio 60 and I LOVE IT! What a fantastic show. You can see the echoes of West Wing in it and easily see how the same people are involved. Fantabulous! Utterly loving it!

Did I stay or did I go?

I had a whole 'should I stay or should I go' moment with work and I never got around to telling you what happened.

Well my boss returned from holidays to find me with my 'Interview Leave' request form in hand (yes, they even have leave for interviews!) and he was really wonderfully lovely - not only did he give me some good (positive) advice about working in Schools, he also said how valued I was to him and the team and what they'd do to keep me. This was reiterated by Elaine (his boss). When they said the things they would change, fix and do, I realised there actually wasn't much left that I didn't like about my job.

I went to the interview and although they were really lovely, had decided I was going to stay put. Gary was back on holidays, so I emailed him and then told my colleague Lynda and Elaine and they both squealed and hugged me which was really nice! And to be honest, I've not looked back since.

Work has changed (as has my attitude) and the foibles I didn't like are being ironed out. It does ALL work out in the end - all you need is a little faith.

Autumn has Arrived!

There's a distinct chill in the air .... it first arrived about 1.5 weeks ago and then, as only it can in England, it disappeared to be replaced by an Indian Summer, but today it's back and I for one am SO CHUFFED! I love the seasons ... and Autumn and Winter are always lovely. I love wrapping up. Snuggling in bed with a book. Lovely winter clothes! Heaven!

The Missing Genre

There are Rom Coms, Mysteries and Action Movies but I think there's a missing genre ...... BEAUTIFUL movies.

Some movies are simply and completely beautiful.

* The Story.

* The Cinematography.

* How it Unfolds...... How it Concludes.

BEAUTIFUL!

For me, three of my favourite movies fall into this new missing category:

The Young Victoria.
Australia.

The Painted Veil.

Passion!

Reliving the 80s

Tonight I relived my teen years and watch "Sixteen Candles". I LOVED this movie as a teenager and I haven't watched it in decades but I loved re-watching it. The quintessential teenager / 80s movie!

Lovelorn ram snagged on live wire

My Aunt (from back home) sent me this link from an Australian newspaper:

A lovelorn ram has caught his horn on an electricity cable and "abseiled" down a hill while trying to reach a field of ewes.

The sheep accidentally slid down the live wire before coming to a rest against a telegraph pole in the small coastal town of Helgoysund, Norway, on Thursday.

The hapless ram was spotted bleating for help as it dangled five metres above the ground.

Tourists at the scene managed to pull the sheep back to ground, unharmed, in little over an hour — and as a reward released it to graze with the ewes it was spying on.

NO! to multi-tasking

Yesterday was my last day of holidays before I returned to work and the only day I stayed home during the ten days I had off.

So I decided to use it as a chillax day. Relaxing. Chilling Out. Doing nothing. When I discovered....... I can't do nothing. I think this is a common ailment amongst women but that doesn't make it acceptable.

Not only can I not do nothing (oh vey on the English!) but I can't just do one thing either. If I am watching TV, I need to also be flipping through a magazine, adding dates to my diary, downloading emails, burning CDs and dusting my coffee table. I guess I feel guilty if I actually just chill out.

But last night I thought that multi-tasking 24/7 isn't good for you. Your body (and mind) needs downtime so I made a decision.

Every day I am going to do nothing (for a little bit) and also try and do one thing at a time (and do it well) than a million things at once.

When I came home from work today, I spent a few minutes just lying on my bed patting my cat. (It's true, you know, stroking cats is VERY theraupeutic!). I also took some time to read a chapter of the book I'm reading in the bath. I know that's technically two things but the aim is to slow down and chill out more and this helped with that. I have also realised I don't have to be "productive", crossing off items from my "to do" list every moment of every day. They say stop and smell the roses for a reason!

Should I Stay or Should I Go....

In the words of The Clash, should I stay or should I go?

I applied for a similar position (to the one I hold) with a different school/College in Hull and have been given an interview. Woo Hoo. (August 26).

I both love and at times, loathe my job. The things I loathe about my job, can't be remedied as they involve other people but people come and go at work all the time.

It's nice to be able to go to the interview and be in two minds because I won't be gutted if I don't get it and can weigh up my options if it is offered to me.

Watch this space.

Yup ... the D Word

Today was my first day back at work after a week's holiday and I decided it was also the first day of my diet. I want to lose weight and be healthier so I am not going to go crazy but I am going to cut out all those treats I've been allowing myself and going back to parking in my usual (further away) parking space and walking more at work. Good Luck me!

New Book!

Remember me saying I won a brand new book when I ate my choccy bar last week?! Well it arrived! How quick is that? It said up to 28 days but I got it within about 3! WOO HOO!

Chapter Charms

I've been busy making my "Chapter Charms" again - organza-ribboned bookmarks that don't damage your books and are cute to boot! Here are three I made tonight.

The first is a Tim McGraw / Cowboy Theme. The second is so cute with a Panda BELL charm (yup, it rings!) and the third is a pretty in pink, Hello Kitty Chapter Charm.

I've got the organza bags ready and I am waiting on my cards to arrive (to say that they are my Chapter Charms) and then I'll be uploading them to eBay and the Staff Intranet Site to start selling again. Yippee!!