awarded!

I've been nominated by my blogging friend Jo from throughthekeyhole for the Liebster blog award. Thanks, Jo!

The "rules" are:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to his/her blog. ✔︎
2. Copy and paste the Liebster Award badge to your post. ✔︎
3. Answer the ten questions you've been asked. (✔︎ see below)
4. Create ten new questions for the bloggers you are nominating. (✔︎ see below)
5. Notify the bloggers that you have nominated. (see below)

1. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
We went to see the newest Star Wars film. I was a bit worried about it as I didn't like the second batch of Star Wars films (the ones that supposedly told the story before the original films) but it was great!

2. Where would be your ideal place to live, town, country or coast?
We live in a town on the east coast of Scotland so that's 2 out of the three! We've also lived bang in the middle of the country and it had its moments! Being cut off for 2 full days due to snow (no electricity/heating) wasn't much fun, let me tell you!

3. Do you have any pets?
Not of our own. We look after Joanna's dog, Tilly, when she's at work and, at the moment, that's enough.

4. What is your favourite area of the UK?
Scotland. I am, of course, slightly biased, but, in my humble opinion, you just can't beat it!

5. What song annoys you?
"Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd. I was teaching when it came out and, regularly would walk down the school corridors at the change of classes only to hear "We don't need no education" being sung by the masses. I did try to tell my classes that the very fact that they were saying those words meant that they did indeed need an education but the double-negative explanation fell on deaf ears - or stupid ears - or both. Now, even after all the years between, I HATE that song!

6. What three things would you take to a desert island?
Sun-tan lotion, a whole library of books and Douglas.

7. If you were given a million pounds, what would you spend it on?
A big house with a huge kitchen, lots of rooms for hobbies and a garden.

8. What would be your last meal?
Roast chicken, roast potatoes, oatmeal stuffing, carrots and gravy followed by cheesecake for pudding.

9. Have you ever met anyone famous?
Douglas and I met Paul Laidlaw who appears on "Bargain Hunt" and "Flog It" and some other antiques programmes on the BBC. He is such a lovely man - and fascinating to talk to!

10. What's your favourite take away?
I don't remember when we last had a take-away! If I had to choose, it'd probably be your bog-standard fish and chips.

Now, I know I'm supposed to nominate people for this award and tell them I've nominated them but I don't do that. So, what I'm going to say is, here are 10 questions. If you feel the urge to answer them, go for it. If you don't, that's fine too!

1. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
2. When you go somewhere are you early, on time or late?
3. Do you listen to music in your car?
4. Are you left- or right-handed?
5. What colour are your eyes?
6. What shoe size are you?
7. Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
8. Do you play a musical instrument?
9. What's your current desktop picture on your computer?
10. What's your favourite Disney movie?

Thanks again for nominating me, Jo. It was fun to answer your questions - and hard to think of 10 to ask!

award-winning!

I was nominated for the Liebster blogging award by my blogging friend Jo, at through the keyhole. Thanks, Jo. I really appreciate it!

The "rules" of the Liebster award are that I have to tell you 11 random facts about myself. Then answer the 11 questions that my nominator asked. And then nominate 11 blogs that I read for the award.

I'm going to do the first two parts but not the third. As you'll see from my list of random facts about me, I don't obey rules very well! ;o)

11 random facts about me:
1. I have psoriatic arthritis - in remission at the moment.
2. I can't drink alcohol because of the medicines I take for the above but it doesn't bother me in the slightest!
3. Nora Roberts is my favourite author. If I was marooned on a desert island and I had all her series with me, I'd be a happy bunny.
4. I would like the play the piano better than I can - must get it tuned first, though!
5. I don't obey rules very well. If you tell me I must do something, I'll be trying to find a way not to do it. And vice versa!
6. Douglas and I have been married for 35 years - 36 in September. He looked after me so well last week when I had the flu, it just made me love and appreciate him all the more!
7. I love chips - as in French Fries.
8. Apparently, we have 61 drawers in this house - Douglas counted them at one point. Every New Year I think this will be the year I'll go through all of those drawers and get rid of stuff. I've been thinking of doing that for 5 or more years now! :oD
9. I'm happiest in my own house. Last week, when I was ill, I didn't go out of the house from Friday 6th until Friday 13th. That didn't bother me in the slightest!
10. I sing in a choir and I love it. There are only 21 of us in the choir but we make a good sound.
11. I can sit for a very long time trying to think of an 11th random fact. I think it's going to have to be "I give up when I can't think of something else"! :oD

Now on to the 11 questions Jo asked.

1) If your house was on fire, what one thing, other than family members and pets, would you save?
My sewing machine and as much of my fabric stash as I could grab!

2) What, other than your children, is your greatest achievement?
Going to university and getting some letters after my name. B.A. Dip. Ed. to be precise!

3) What would be your dream job and is it a job you do or have done?
I would love to work in a fabric shop again. Or a book shop. Or a combination of both. I've worked in a fabric shop before.

4) What is your dream holiday destination?
I would like to go back to see the Grand Canyon again. We were there in 2006 and it really is one of those jaw-dropping places and well worth another visit. I wouldn't go out on the glass platforms they now have over the gorge, though. No way, no how!

5) If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you bought?
Knowing me, probably fabric! LOL

6) Name your top three films of all time.
It really depends on my mood but I love "You've Got Mail", "The Fifth Element" and "The Count of Monte Cristo". (The Jim Caviezel version ... yum!)

7) If you could have a conversation with a famous person, dead or alive, who would it be?
I'd like to meet and chat with May Martin from the Great British Sewing Bee. Just talking to someone who loves sewing as much as I do would be inspiring, I think. And, if she brought Patrick Grant along too, I wouldn't complain! ;o)

8) What is your earliest childhood memory?
Going out to tea with my Auntie Anna and her family before they emigrated to Australia. They went in 1959 so I must have been 4 years old.

9) What is your favourite season and why?
I like them all for different reasons. I love the fresh newness of spring, the warm days of summer (if we're lucky), the colours and smells of autumn and the cold crispness of winter. These photos were taken in 2011.

10) What made you decide to start a blog?
My daughter, Debbie, was heading out to Canada to live for a while and she told me I should write a blog so she could keep up with what we were all doing. I started it in July, 2008 so nearly 7 years ago. Apparently, I have a lot to blether about! :oD

11) What would you like the future to hold for you?
Health and happiness for us and our girls ... and, maybe a few grandchildren ... eventually! ;o)

Thanks for nominating me, Jo. If you don't know Jo, go and read her blog. She's an inspiration - and her dog, Archie, always reminds me of our wee Rosie. :o)

around the world blog hop

I've been nominated by my blogging friend, Jo from through the keyhole, to take part in the Around the World blog tour. Thanks Jo! I will now attempt to answer the questions!

What am I working on right now?
For my the tartan bee shop: I have a pile of bags cut out waiting to be sewn ... some time soon. (See photo below)

In dressmaking - I made a top on Saturday which is - believe it or not - far too big for me!

Today I unpicked all the seams and cut it out at a smaller size. This one seems to fit me better. Fingers crossed that it still will when I put the sleeves in.
I bought another duvet cover out of Asda's this morning (for £5) for another dress like the one I made last week. Here's the duvet washed and drying on the line:

How Does My Creative Process Work?
When I make for my tartan bee shop, I buy fabric with an idea of what I'm going to make with it. I know if I'm going to make bags with a piece of material or pinnies (aprons) or both. I love to buy fabrics for those that are interesting. Let's be honest, going food shopping isn't exactly the most exciting thing to do so, if you can do it using a bag (or bags) that make you smile, then it has to be better. I also like to buy fun fabrics for pinnies. If I could, I'd keep one of every fabric as a pinny but I just can't do that. The kitchen drawer where I keep them is hard enough to close as it is! :oD

After I've got the fabrics chosen, I'll usually spend a couple of days just cutting out loads and loads of bags and pinnies. I won't necessarily sew them all up at one time but I like being able to sew up a couple when I have some time or the urge to do it. Here's the pile of bags in the crate waiting to be sewn.

Buying fabric for dressmaking is a completely different thing. I freely admit to buying fabric without knowing exactly what I'm going to use it for. I might know I want to make a blouse or a top with it but I won't know which pattern I'm going to use until I get it on my sewing room table. It keeps my dressmaking interesting for me that way and, after all the years I've been sewing, I don't think that's going to change any time soon.

How Does My Work Differ From Others In Its Genre?
I suppose, since I made up the patterns for the pinnies and the bags myself, they're different from other people's but they're not unique really. I mean, they're shopping bags and pinnies - nothing too unique about those! I like to think the fabric is the way to make them stand out. Same for my dressmaking. I could make the same pattern as someone else but I doubt they'd choose the same fabrics as I do.

I'm also proud of the finish. I have a quote in my sewing room which says "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" and I try to stick to that rule. If I'm not 100% happy with something I make, it won't even get near my Etsy shop. If there's a flaw in it anywhere, I won't sell it to someone else. That's why that kitchen drawer is hard to close!!

Why Do I Create What I Do?
I've always loved making my own shopping bags and pinnies with fancy fabrics so, when I decided to open my Etsy shop, it just seemed obvious to me to keep making things I was good at making and see if I could sell them. Sewing with Christmas fabrics has always made me happy so I started adding some Christmas things into my Etsy shop. I actually just re-listed them for this year. Christmas does start in July, doesn't it? LOL

In my dressmaking, I just make whatever I want. I've always loved being able to make things that other people don't have. I bet I'm the only person in town - perhaps even in Britain - who has a couple of tops and a dress made with (different) duvet covers from Asda's! That pleases me no end.

~ ~ ~ I'm going to be a bit of a rebel here and not nominate specific people to carry on the blog trip. Instead I'm nominating all of you who are reading this to answer the 4 questions on your blog then let me know when you've done it so I - and others - can come and take a look.

Here are the (original) questions:

1. What are you working on right now?
2. How does your writing/creative process work?
3. How does your writing/work differ from others in its genre?
4. Why do you write/create what you do?

Thanks again to Jo for nominating me. It was harder than I thought it would be to think of the answers as to why I do what I do.

not one but three!!

I was delighted this week to be given the Liebster blogging award by not one person, not two but three! Wow! So chuffed!

The "rules" of the Liebster award are that I have to tell you 11 random facts about myself. Then answer the 11 questions that my nominators asked. And then nominate 11 blogs that I read for the award.

As you'll see from number 4 of my random facts about myself, I don't obey rules very well so, I'm going to change things slightly. I'm only giving you 11 random facts - not 33! (I bet you're quite glad about that. I know I am! LOL) I'll answer all 33 questions because that was fairly easy. But I'm not going to nominate any blogs. Not because I don't think the blogs I read are worthy of nomination by any means. I just couldn't choose so I'm leaving that part undone.

Okay, here we go.

Eleven random facts about me.

1. I LOVE my spiky hair.
2. I wear coloured or patterned socks. Plain black socks are not for me!
3. I collect salt & pepper sets.
4. I don't obey rules very well.
5. When I was young I wanted to be an archeologist. For my 12th birthday, a friend of my mum's bought me a "Teach Yourself Archeology"book. To say it was as dry as dust is an understatement so I gave up that idea pretty quickly.
6. If I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life, it would be potatoes.
7. I've been married for 33 years - 34 in September. As one of my cousins said to my Mum and Dad on their golden wedding anniversary "you get less for murder"! :oD
8. I collect cookery books - mostly I just look at the photos!
9. I can't drink alcohol because of the medicines I take but it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
10. In my 5th year at high school, I dropped the cymbals at a school concert - the leather tie came undone so I didn't really drop it. The trumpet player started to laugh then the rest of the orchestra joined in and so did the audience but the conductor was not amused.
11. I laugh at silly things. My comment on this photo from our holiday in Paris in 2008 always makes me giggle. The comment? "does size matter?". I'm sure these guys are checking out their - em - wares and are not impressed. tee hee

* * * * *

My first Liebster award came from Softie who blogs here. Go visit her. I know she'd be delighted to see you.

Here are the 11 questions from Softie.

1.Where would you travel to for your dream vacation?
Somewhere warm (but not too hot) with some interesting museums to visit.
2. What is your favorite dessert?
Vanilla ice cream - but the one made by a local Italian family. It's so delicious!
3. Do you prefer mountain views or ocean views?
I love both.
4. In how many different places have you lived?
I've only lived in Scotland but I've lived in 6 different towns/cities.
5. Which do you prefer a wedding band or wedding set?
I have an engagement ring and a wedding ring - is that a wedding set?
6. Did you have any input in choosing your wedding ring or was it a surprise?
I was there and tried it on with my engagement ring to make sure it looked okay.
7. Saver or spender?
A wee bit of both.
8. What is your favorite film or movie?
I have so many but, if I had to choose, it would probably be "You've Got Mail"
9. Vintage or Modern?
I don't mind vintage as long as it's not shabby but I wouldn't choose to buy it myself.
10. Do you have a favorite quote?
Yes. It always makes me laugh. "Don't criticise someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, you're a mile away ... and you have their shoes!!". :oD
11. What made you laugh or smile the most this week?
The antics of the dogs. They're like children egging each other on and hoping they won't be the one caught in the act!

* * * * *

The second Liebster award came from Gilly who blogs here. Again, I know she'd be pleased to have you visit her.

1. What's your favourite animal ?
Rosie, our dog.

2. Sweet stuff or savoury ?
Sweet.
3. Where in the world is the best place you've been to ?
The Grand Canyon was a-ma-zing. I'd love to go back for another look.
4. Do you still live in your country of birth ?
Yes.
5. Which of your hobbies/crafts/talents is your favourite ?
Sewing although I love singing in a choir as well but I don't do that as much as I sew.
6. Hot & sunny or cold & snowy ?
Can it be warm and sunny, please? Not too hot.
7. Dogs or cats ?
Dogs.
8. What simple things make you happy ?
Drinking a cuppa whilst reading a book.
9. Town, country or by the seaside ?
We live in a town by the seaside and I love being in the country so all of the above.
10. The book or the movie ?
Usually the book.
11. Are you an Adventurer or a Homebody ?
I do like adventures but I'm always happy to get home.

* * * * *

And my third Liebster award came from Plain Jane who blogs here. Again, go and visit her blog. She'll be happy to see you all.

1. If you could only have two courses of a three course meal which ones would they be?
Main course and dessert. Can't resist desserts!
2. Choose three words to sum you up.
Caring, crafty, cuddly.
3. Which film last made you cry?
Apollo 13 always makes me cry when we're waiting for them to come through the earth's atmosphere. Even though I know they do - sorry if I just gave the game away!! - I'm always sitting there with tears in my eyes!
4. What animal would you most like to be and why?
A dog in a loving family because they don't have to do much and they get fed and cuddled regularly.
5. Is there a smell that takes you back to your childhood?
Peat fires. We didn't have them but my Granny and Grandad did and now, when I smell a peat fire, I'm instantly back in their house.
6. What would your Desert Island disc be?
Elbow's "One Day Like This".
7. Where do you most like to be?
My sewing room or my kitchen or anywhere I can sit and read a book.
8. Potatoes - chipped, mashed or roasted?
Yes please. And baked too. I LOVE potatoes.
9. What quality do you most admire in others?
Good manners.
10. Sky dive or bungy jump?
Good grief, no! Never ever ever!
11. What 'words of wisdom' would you pass on to others?
Be polite.

* * * * *

Now, if you're still here, I think you deserve an award! Thanks so much to Softie, Gilly and Jane for giving me these awards. I really do appreciate it. :o)

Happy Hogmanay!!

It's Hogmanay. That's what we, in Scotland, call the last day of the year.

I thought it might be interesting to see how well I did with the "intentions" I set up for myself back on the 1st of January. Here's the list of 11 for 2011:

1. Use up lots of the fabric that is piled in my sewing room.
2. Use up lots of the knitting wool that is in various baskets in various rooms.
3. Take a photo of our back garden every Sunday.
4. Eat less and move more.
5. Read lots.
6. Sew more. (This will help with intention number 1!)
7. Crochet and knit more. (This will help with intention number 2!)
8. Use my cook books more - for baking and main meals. (This won't help with intention number 4!)
9. Blog more.
10. Go for more walks.
11. Take more photos.

So, how did I do? Let's see:

1. Use of lots of the fabric that is piled in my sewing room.
Well I did use up lots ... but I also bought more. :oD

2. Use up lots of the knitting wool that is in various baskets in various rooms.
See the answer to number 1! :oD

3. Take a photo of our back garden every Sunday.
I did it every Monday - or sometimes later - but I did it for all the weeks we were here.

4. Eat less and move more.
I'm not sure about this one but I just checked and I'm 3kg lighter than I was on the 1st of January. That's 6.6 lbs. Go me!!

5. Read lots.
I've read 105 books this year and might even get number 106 done before the bells! Last year I read 99 so, I've done this one. Go me!!

6. Sew more.
I haven't counted anything here but I certainly feel like I've sewn more so I'm counting this one as done. :o)

7. Crochet and knit more.
Same answer as number 6.

8. Use my cook books more - for baking and main meals.
Mmmm. I don't know if I did this one or not.

9. Blog more.
I posted 124 posts in 2010 and 184 in 2011 so this one is definitely done. Yep, I am a blether! :oD

10. Go for more walks.
No idea if I did this or not!

11. Take more photos.
Well, counting photos shown on my blog alone, there were 306 photos posted in 2010. This year it's been a staggering 518 plus the 51 from the sewing room window which makes 569 in total. Wow! That's incredible!

So, what's next for 2012? Who knows? I think we should just wait and see!

Happy New Year to all of my friends all over the world. See you next year! :o)

Let me just end the year with one more photo - here's what the sunrise looked like yesterday morning. Glorious!

just a few questions

I've been busy quilting the blocks for the wedding quilt today but, so that my blog doesn't get overloaded with just photos of that, I thought I'd take a break from it today and post a few questions that I saw on someone else's blog the other day.

What is bothering you right now?
Wondering if I'm going to get the wedding quilt made in time.

Do you like celebrity magazines?
Absolutely not. I wouldn't waste my money on them.

When was the last time you were ill?
I had a bit of an upset tummy overnight Saturday-Sunday but was absolutely fine when I got up on Sunday. Other than that, I can't remember when I was last ill. I mean, I have psoriatic arthritis but it's under control with my meds so I don't think of that as an "illness".

Who owns you?
I have to help mum a lot but I don't consider that she owns me.

One place you’d love to visit?
I'd love to go back to the Grand Canyon - it's an awe-inspiring place.

Did you skip school?
Nope.

Ever played an instrument?
Yes - piano, oboe and tuned percussion. And the guitar! I forgot until I read Joanna's answers! :oD

Favourite alcoholic drink?
I'm not allowed alcohol on my meds - doesn't bother me one bit.

Do you follow fashion?
Absolutely not.

What colour are your eyes? Do you like that colour?
Blue. After 56 years, I'm used to them by now!

What is the furthest you have travelled from your home? How far was it?
We flew to San Francisco. According to google, that's approx 5044 miles. Add another 26 to get here from the airport so that's 5070 miles.

What is the coldest temperatures you have experienced? Where were you?
We don't get too cold here in Scotland. The coldest would probably be -10ºC.

What is the hottest temperatures you have experienced? Where were you?
100ºF at Phoenix airport. It was like walking into an oven!

Do you like long train/car journeys?
I like long train journeys if I have plenty of room - ie a table between 2 people.

Have you ever considered writing a novel?
Nope.

Have you ever punched someone in the face?
Absolutely not.

What is your sense of humour like?
If I said I laugh most at "toilet humour" does that mean I have a dirty sense of humour? :oD

Are you a good person?
Most of the time.

20 Christmas Qs

I found this on someone's blog - I really should have paid attention which blog so I could acknowledge them. Thanks to whoever you are! :o)


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial. We used to get a real one every year but have had an artificial one for about 3 or 4 years now.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually around about the 10th of December.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Some time between Christmas and New Year. I like to start the New Year with a clean slate/living room.

5. Favourite gift received as a child?
The doll's house that my dad made for me. I still have it. :)

6. Hardest person to buy for?
Douglas

7. Easiest person to buy for?
My mum. We make her up a mini hamper each year and she LOVES it.

8. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail.

9. Favourite Christmas Movie?
Miracle on 34th Street - the new version.

10. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
October - November.

11. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so.

12. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
Turkey and all the trimmings - or in our case, chicken and all the trimmings.

13. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)?
Coloured.

14. Favourite Christmas song?
My favourite carol is "Silent Night". My favourite song would be "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow". (Oh the weather outside is frightful, and I am so delightful! LOL)

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home

16. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree?
Angel

17. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

18. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
I try to avoid the shops as frustrated shoppers can be really rude and, therefore, annoying.

19. What do you want for Christmas this year?
World peace. Wouldn't that be the best?

20. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors?
Red and green although we don't do colour themes really.

ABCs of me

I found this in one of the folders on my computer. Who knows how long it's been mouldering in there! LOL


The ABCs of Me

A- Age: 54 - really? How did that happen?

B- Bed size: King Size

C- Chore you hate: cleaning the windows

D- Dog's name: Rosie

E- Essential food: a cup of tea and some cakes

F- Favourite colour: bluey purple

G- Gold or silver: gold rings on my left hand but silver rings and bracelets on my right

H- Height: 5'4"

I- I am: therefore I think? Wait, that doesn't sound quite right. :oD

J- Job: housewife

K- Kids: 2 girls - 27 and 29

L- Living arrangements: 3 bedroom semi-detached house

M- Mum's name: Ellen

N- Nickname: At school it was Nabby.

O- Overnight hospital stay: births of both girls. Before that it would have been when I got my tonsils out when I was a child.

P- Pet peeve: bad manners.

Q- Quote from a movie: "Whoa! Ugly!" from The Three Musketeers. Or "I'll have what she's having" from When Harry met Sally. :oD

R- Right or left handed: right

S- Siblings: older sister, younger brother. Yes, I'm the middle child.

T- Time you wake up: 6.45am during the week. I keep hoping it'll be later at the weekends but usually it's the same.

U- Unique thing about your car: it's mine.

V- Vegetable you hate: I can't think of any. I'm sure there must be some - I'll edit them in if I remember!

W- Ways you run late: I'm one of those annoying people who's always there early. If I'm late, then somebody else must have come with me and it's that person that made us late.

X- X-rays you've had: Lots for teeth and last year hands, feet and back for my psoriatic arthritis diagnosis

Y- Yummy food you make: Tablet would have to be my all time favourite. I only make it at Christmas so I don't eat it too often.

Z- Zoo favourite: Penguins

more silly Qs

Another quiz I had saved. I wonder how this one will go? :o)


1. Where is your cell phone?
In my handbag in the cupboard under the stairs. I hope nobody rings or sends a text as I won't hear it! :oD

2. Your hair?
Just cut last week so it's looking good. Yay!

3. Your mother?
7 minutes along the road from me.

4. Your father?
Gone but not forgotten.

5. Your favourite food?
Chicken, chocolate, biscuits - cookies to those not in the UK.

6. Your dream last night?
No idea. I was asleep! :oD

7. Your favourite drink?
It all depends what I'm eating with the drink! Tea, milk, coke are all possible answers.

8. Your dream/goal?
I'd love a huge kitchen - and a huger crafting room.

9. What room are you in?
The dining room.

10. Your hobby?
Singing, sewing, crochet, reading and playing in Photoshop.

11. Your fear?
Heights.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
In my huge kitchen or huger crafting room.

13. Where were you last night?
Sitting on the couch in the living room.

14. Something that you aren’t?
Male. Pregnant.

15. Muffins?
Yes, please.

16. Wish list item?
Mums Know Best: The Hairy Bikers' Family Cookbook - out next week. Not long to wait now.

17. Where did you grow up?
Kirkcaldy.

18. Last thing you did?
Watched a tv programme about Delia Smith.

19. What are you wearing?
Clothes.

20. Your TV?
Is off.

21. Your pets?
Rosie is asleep on the couch in the living room.

22. Friends?
Some.

23. Your life?
Fine thanks.

24. Your mood?
Good.

25.Vehicle?
Ford Ka

26. Last movie watched?
Made Of Honour - not that great but not terrible either.

27. Something you’re not wearing?
My jammies.

28. Your favourite store?
Amazon

29. Your favourite color?
Bluey purple.

30. When was the last time you laughed?
The Delia Smith programme was about the 70s. The fashions were truly laughable! :oD

31. Last time you cried?
Crumbs, I cry at soppy ads on the telly so probably not that long ago!

32. Your best friend?
Douglas

33. One place that I go to over and over?
Bed

34. Who e-mails me regularly?
Douglas and the girls.

35. Favourite place to eat?
The dining room table.

random questions 31 - 50

31. What's your favourite colour?
Blue/purple

32. What is your favourite animal?
Our dog Rosie.

33. Are you afraid of the dark?
No

34. Is there something lacking in your life right now?
Swimming. Because of the snow - which I'm not mentioning - I haven't been able to get out and I miss my 3 swims per week. :o(

35. What do you miss about childhood?
Family who aren't with us any more.

36. How many times did it take you to pass your driving test?
2

37. How many kids do you want?
I've got 2 and am well past the stage of having more. Phew!

38. Are you a good painter?
I can paint walls but I can't paint pictures. :o)

39. Can you cook?
Yes

40. Are you a cheapskate?
I like to think of it more as Scottish carefulness with money. :oP

41. What would you do with a million pounds?
Pay off mortgages, buy/build our dream house and then save the rest for a rainy day.

42. Have you been to Disney World?
Yes, in 1991

43. How many days a month are you online?
Every day

44. Last time you went bowling?
Michty. About 15 years ago?

45. Hot or cold weather?
I'd prefer warm. Not so hot where you can't breathe and not so cold that you can't move!

46. How many pairs of shoes do you have?
Not as many as I used to have! :oD

47. Are you a shop-a-holic?
No

48. Where were you yesterday at 10.30?
At 10.30am I was out in the garden feeding the birds. At 10.30pm I was in my house.

49. Are you afraid of the dentist?
Not afraid but I don't particularly enjoy going.

50. Were you bored or entertained by this survey?
Neither. It passed the time and made me forget about the snow - which I'm not mentioning - for a wee while!

random questions 11 - 30

11. Type your name into Google - what's the first site that appears?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Great_Britain

12. What's your favourite song at the moment?
Paulo Nutini - Pencil Full of Lead

13. Coke or pepsi?
Coke

14. Favourite subject in school?
Maths

15. Last concert?
I don't think the question means the last concert I sang in but that's the way I'm answering it! December 11th.

16. Next concert?
Sometime in May, I think.

17. Last magazine you bought?
I get the Prima on subscription and I just got it last week so I suppose it's that. :o)

18. Last book you read?
Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts

19. Do you prefer cats or dogs?
Dogs

20. Is there someone you want to punch right now?
No

21. Favourite sport to watch/take part in?
Tennis to watch and swimming to do.

22. Country you most want to visit?
At this moment, anywhere warm!

23. Are you a Blogger addict?
I like blogging and reading other people's blogs - but it doesn't matter who hosts the blog.

24. When do you shower?
When I'm dirty? tee hee. In the mornings.

25. What's your dream job?
I have my dream job - a housewife.

26. What kind of car do you drive?
A Ford Ka

27. What word in the dictionary best describes you?
Female!

28. What's your blog address?
If you're reading this you know it already!

29. Worst TV show at the moment?
Oh so many!

30. Are you a better talker or listener?
Crumbs, who knows.

anything rather than snow!!

I decided to stop blogging about the snow and then, maybe the snow will get the message that I am well and truly sick of it and it'll go away. Mind you, according to the weather forecasters, we can expect it to stay around for another 3 weeks - oh and our council has allegedly run out of grit. Sheesh!

Anyway, no snow-blogging any more. So what to blog about? Well, I found another list of questions I'd saved from somewhere with a view to posting them one day. So today is going to be that day.

Actually, today I'm only going to answer some of the questions - there are 50 of them altogether. No way am I doing 50 questions in one go - and I suspect anyone who reads this would get bored long before I got to 50!! :oD

So let's do 1 to 10 and leave the rest for another day when I'm trying to ignore the snow!

1. Are you wearing a hat?
Why would I be wearing a hat? I'm inside! So, no, I am not wearing a hat. (I can see this is going to be one of "those" quizzes!)

2. Bottled water?
Only in foreign countries.

3. Do you have a crush on someone right now?
Douglas? Am I allowed to have a crush on my husband of 30 years?

4. What kind of computer do you have?
An iMac. Macs rule!

5. Do you prefer writing in pen or pencil?
I write my shopping list in pen but I do sudokus in pencil so I can rub them out and start again when I mess up! Which I invariably do!

6. Who was the last message in your inbox from?
pccrafter. I had bought some kits this afternoon (oops, blogging about it doesn't keep it under my hat - which I'm not wearing - does it?) and this was the confirmation e-mail.

7. What's your favourite season?
At this precise moment it's spring or summer or autumn - definitely NOT winter! Ask me after the snow that I'm not blogging about has gone and the answer might be different. :oD

8. Does your best friend have a girlfriend or boyfriend?
Well, since my best friend is the afore-mentioned hubby of 30 years, I'd have to say no … to both of those!

9. Do you like tea?
Yep. Hot tea.

10. Favourite radio station?
BBC Radio 2

post for the old year

I found a list of questions for the new/old year earlier this year. I have no idea where I found it but I had saved it with a view to posting at the end of the year - nearly there.

I dug it out this morning with a view to posting it and answering all the questions. But I've decided not to.

Why? Well a lot of the questions were kind of depressing/sad. Or at least the answers would be. "What was your biggest failure?" "Did anyone close to you die?" "Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?"

So, I thought I'd go through the 38 questions picking out the ones that had happy answers or okay answers - ie not depressing or sad answers.

I didn't get far with that idea either. I mean, how on earth could I choose which was my favourite book of the year? (Nora Roberts new bride series - why does she not release them all at once? Why make us wait months for the next book??)

Or my favourite movie? I think I only went to the cinema once - to see The Proposal which was a great film but can I call it a favourite? I'm not sure.

"What kept you sane?". Who says I'm sane? :oP

"My biggest achievement of the year?" Crumbs, I don't know! Losing 2 dress sizes would be right up there - but that was kind of a fluke. I started swimming which made the sizes drop off - not the weight, just the sizes!

"What was my greatest musical discovery?" Did I discover anyone musically this year?

"What dates of 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why?" Where do people get these questions from?

"What did you want and not get?" World peace? (We watched "Miss Congeniality" the other day! :oD)

My answer to "Where did most of your money go?" would be either Tesco's (supermarket) or Amazon.

"What did you get really, really, really excited about?" I have to watch my blood pressure so no getting really, really excited for me! :oD

I'm stopping now before I inadvertently answer all 38 questions! Let's just say that 2009 had some sad times and some happy times. Just like always! :o)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Scotland but that doesn't mean I can't be thankful! :oP

I thought of listing things I'm thankful for but where on earth would I start? Okay, let's see -

Being thankful for Douglas goes without saying. He is my rock, my best friend, my lover (Debbie and Joanna, if you're reading this, sorry for embarrassing you like that! LOL). Best thing - he lets me stay at home and diddle around all day whilst he goes to a job he HATES with a vengeance. So, yes, I am really thankful for Douglas!

Being thankful for Debbie and Joanna also goes without saying. They made me a mum - the bestest job in the whole wide world. Love you, girls! :o)

I'm thankful for Rosie. She barks, scratches and sleeps a lot but then, she's a dog and that's just what dogs do!

I'm thankful that my Mum is still with us. She is getting old but then aren't we all?

I'm thankful that Debbie has found Jason. He makes her happy - what more can a mum ask than that?

I'm thankful for my health. Okay, so I have psoriatic arthritis and have just been diagnosed this week with highish blood pressure but, you know, I still count myself lucky with my health. Long may that continue.

And finally, I'm thankful for all my friends. Both in "real life" and on the internet - although why those friends aren't called "real" always astounds me. They are real to me. Thanks guys! :o)

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving where you are, enjoy it! And don't eat too much. Ach, ignore that! Eat as much as you like! :oD

45 life lessons

This was the Weekly Picker Upper in the pccrafter newsletter this week. I don't agree with all of them, but they're all interesting. :o)

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17.. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

a few puzzling questions

Once you've sniffed a flower, how is the smell still there?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

How do sheep not shrink in the rain? (And don't say it's because rain is cold water! I've washed things in cold water and they've shrunk - but I've never tried it on a sheep! LOL)

If humans evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?

How do you know the light goes off in the fridge when the door closes?

Why do Psychics need to advertise a Psychic Fair? Surely they'd all know about it?

If we all stopped voting, would the politicians go away? (HA!)

What seeds are used to plant seedless grapes?

How do they get non-stick coating to stick to a pan?

getting to know you using Photobucket

The idea of this is you're meant to go to Photobucket dot com and put the thing you want to find into the search box, then copy and paste the image into your post. But, instead of doing that, I copied the images into my own Photobucket so that I'm not using anyone else's bandwidth.

1. What is your first name? (type your name followed by "name" or "sig" so you don't only get photos of people you don't know)

2. What is your favourite candy?

3. What is your relationship status?

4. Favourite color?

5. Celebrity crush?

6. Favourite band?

7. Favourite movie?

8. Family pets?

9. The state you were born in?

10. Your occupation?

11. Describe what you look like

12. What kind of car do you drive?

13. Hobbies?

14. Favourite TV show?

15. One word to describe you.

Here are my answers:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favourite candy?

3. What is your relationship status?

4. Favourite color?

5. Celebrity crush?

6. Favourite band?

7. Favourite movie?

8. Family pets?

9. The state you were born in?

10. Your occupation? - Ha! This one made me laugh! This is "housewife"!

11. Describe what you look like

12. What kind of car do you drive?

13. Hobbies?

14. Favourite TV show?

15. One word to describe you.

20 questions

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7.10am

2. What did you have for breakfast? Fruit loaf with marmalade and coffee.

3. What foods do you dislike? liver - blech!

4. Favourite sandwich? chicken salad

5. What colour is your bathroom? white and blue

6. Favourite sport to watch? Tennis, snooker and winter Olympics

7. Are you a morning person or night owl? morning

8. What is your best childhood memory? summer hols on my Auntie Elsie and Uncle Bill’s farm

9. What are the different jobs you've had? shop assistant, Maths teacher, office worker, mum, cook, wife and sex goddess! LOL

10. Piercings? twice in each ear

11. Favourite day of the week? Sunday

12. How many times did you fail your driver's test? once

13. Bedtime? 11 - 11.30pm

14. What is your favourite color? Blues and purples

15. How many tattoos do you have? none

16. Lake, ocean or river? ocean

17. What are you listening to right now? coverage of the Masters Golf from Augusta

18. What do you do most often when you are bored? Read, sew or play on the computer but I rarely get bored

19. Favourite Flower? dark red roses

20. Favourite ice cream? vanilla

life as I know it

Every Sunday, in the magazine that comes with our Sunday newspaper, there's an interview with a "celebrity" asking them various questions. I suppose the idea is that we get to know that celebrity a bit better but that's kind of hard when, more often than not, I've never heard of her/him.

Anyway, I thought I'd do my own abridged version of the "life as I know it" interview.

If I could change one thing about myself I'd … like doing exercise. I'm sure it would make losing weight much easier!

If I can, I always try to avoid … bad-mannered people. It's the one thing I totally hate! There is NO excuse for bad manners - no matter where, who, why etc etc

When I was a child I wanted to be … an archaeologist! One of my mum's friends bought me a "Teach Yourself Archaeology" book for my 12th birthday. It was as dry as dust and it put me off the idea really quickly! LOL

I drive … a Ford Ka.

To wake myself up I … set the alarm!

My "happy place" is … home. I often think I could be a hermit as I'm perfectly happy in my own house.

The song I can't get out of my head is …White Winter Hymnal by the Fleet Foxes. I heard it on the radio last week and it's such a simple song with only one verse but I love the close harmonies.

My last meal would be … roast chicken with all the trimmings followed by steamed sponge pudding with custard. YUM!!

stuff that happened on my birthday

I found this idea on someone else's blog so I stole it!

1. Go to Wikipedia and type your birth month and day (not year).
2. List three events from that day.
3. List two important births and one death.
4. List one holiday or observance.


3 events
1152 - Henry II marries Eleanor of Aquitaine.
1980 - Mount St. Helens eruption (I remember watching this! I was pregnant with Debbie at the time and remember thinking that the bump on Mt St Helens looked a lot like my bump. At least my bump didn't explode - well not for another 3 months, anyway!)
1991 - Helen Sharman from Sheffield becomes the first Briton to orbit in Space (I remember this too)
And for anyone interested, no I don't remember the first one on the list! :oP

2 births
1920 - Pope John Paul II (d. 2005)
1949 - Rick Wakeman, English composer and musician (Yes)
1 death
1995 - Elizabeth Montgomery, American actress (b. 1933) (I so want to be able to twitch my nose like she did to do the housework! Bewitched, in case you're not sure who she was.)

Festival of the god Pan in Ancient Greece (I don't think it has anything to do with cooking!)