Search Out Baby Animals and Behold Their Cuteness!

All change!

I was aiming to attempt 2 of the extras for March this weekend, it was supposed to be Alphabetise Something  (anything!) on Saturday and Search Out Baby Animals and Behold Their Cuteness on Sunday.

However, it didn't feel right searching out baby animals and beholding their cuteness on Sunday when I knew I'd be slow roasting a cute baby animal and dishing it up with Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes etc later on - so I swapped the days round!

There's not much around here in the way of places to seek out baby animals so Bernie and I headed out to Pets at Home in the hope of finding some.  We found some adorable bunnies and I surreptitiously took some pics while Bernie did her best to look like she wasn't with me! Like I said when we got back to mine though..........it's not like you're going to go home and make your own bunnies by copying their designs is it?!

I also couldn't resist a spot of retail therapy when I saw a sparkly dress in the sale!

I don't think Rosie was as impressed as I was!  And is it just me or does Jim look remarkably like a Muskateer?!!

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Yes, it's Friday!

Friday 11th March.....................Yes! It's Friday!

Would that be like Yes! It's Monday!, Yes! It's Tuesday!, Yes! It's - you get the picture.  Everyday this week has been a Yes! kind of day!

Sadly, one of the the highlights of the day was defrosting the freezer at work!  Andy said mid morning that it couldn't be done before we all went home (which was like a red rag to a bull) so Debbie and I set out to prove him wrong!   My hot water bottle may never be the same again, it's a wonder we didn't stab each other while we were both hacking away at the mountains of ice with our knives, we thought we'd somehow set the fire alarms off at one point, and we both had our photo taken (rather like a fisherman and his fish) with the final chunk of ice to capitulate to our onslaught!

As Friday's go I'd say it merits a Yes, ask me again next Friday!

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No More Naughty Things!

Ok, let's make this clear from the beginning - the diary says No More Naughty Things on Wednesday 8th March. 

It does not say No More Naughty Things for the Next Forty Days. 

Yes, I know that's probably what it means but there's no way I'm doing this for 40 days - in fact, to be honest, I didn't even make it through one!

I've already stopped smoking, I rarely drink, I'm not overly keen on chocolate or cakey stuff although I did pass on my usual morning ginger biscuit and felt quite smug about it!

So then it was just a case of avoiding bad, wicked or naughty thoughts (how hard can this be right?).

I spent most of the day with Eliza Doolittle's (as in Audrey Hepburn) 'I'm a good girl I am' running through my mind - it was all that stood between me and naughty things!  Well, this just goes to prove that my mind has always been my Achilles Heel - I effortlessly failed at about 2.15 this afternoon (one more thing I can blame you for DB!)!

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Have a Pancake Flipping Competition!

Yep, you've guessed it - this was an extra for March!  Thought about doing it on any day other than Pancake Day but I guess there's some things you just don't mess with!

So, it was Have a Pancake Flipping Competion With a Friend (preferably one who's not as good at pancake flipping as you) Day - having never made a pancake in my life I gave some serious thought as to who I could challenge........................and chose the only friend I have who's a chef!

Under Webby's direction I cobbled the mixture together without covering everything (except the side and my mobile phone) with flour - result!  I was told I wasn't taking this seriously enough, far too much laughing going on!

Then it was time to heat the pans and crack on, I let the expert show me how it's supposed to be done first!

Then it was time to start the competition - the first few attempts didn't quite go to plan!

But I quickly got the hang of it and, as it turns out, it would appear I've missed my calling!  I was ridiculously chuffed to discover that I CAN flip a pancake!  In fact I managed 9 consecutive flips once I got into my stride!

And - even Webby was impressed with this one, one flip up and it landed as a perfectly ready folded crepe suzette.  I couldn't do that again if I tried!

He was less impressed with this (at least that was the impression I got when he groaned and put his head in his hands).  Well, what was I supposed to do when he said I'd put too much in - it seemed perfectly reasonable to just pour some back into the bowl?

Unbelievably.........................I WON!   I proved a worthy adversary in the flipping stakes and apparently mine also tasted the best!

Here's a photo of our collective efforts - appetising yes?

Finally.............................Oolong, named after the oolong variety of tea, was a domestic rabbit owned by photographer Hironori Akutagawa. The rabbit was famous for his ability to balance a variety of objects on his head.

 
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Snuggle Up Day!

I was lucky enough to spend a large portion of the weekend snuggling with the one person I'd like to have spent Snuggle Up Day (Monday 7th March) with, unfortunately he's now 212.5 miles away (I have this effect on men lol!).

Much as I love them, Rosie and Jim were poor substitutes on this occassion - it appears there's no going back once you've had the real thing......................

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Try a New Hairstyle Day and Surprisingly Great Thursday!

Ok, are you ready?

Before...........................................................

After.......................................................

It's all gone!  Dan worked his magic at Toni and Guy's and I now have the same cut I had 10 years ago (so does that mean I've actually tried an old hairstyle?!), I'd forgotten how much I love this cut (I do kind of wish I hadn't watched You Don't Mess With The Zohan a couple of days before getting my haircut but hey ho!)!  I was supposed to be spending the afternoon dying it purple but I ran out of time so I'll be doing that at the weekend (photo will follow)!

So, surprisingly great - well, apart from my 'do' I met Keith in town and had a surprisingly great bacon buttie (the Ginnel has closed and we're both bereft!).  Then popped into work to pick up the cat food I'd forgotten to take home on Tuesday and had an unexpected (suprise? a tenuous link but a link nonetheless) cup of tea with a rare visitor whilst I was there, which was great!

Then I picked up some Brymors, met up with Ray on his way home and went on to be fed and watered (ok, wined),watch East is East and have a generally great evening with Kevin and Ray - but there was nothing surprising about that!

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Say White Rabbits Before Anything Else!

Fail!

The first words out of my mouth yesterday (before I even got out of bed) were 'well that was bizarre' - closely followed by 'white rabbits' of course!

Well I suppose I should be grateful that it wasn't say white rabbits before everything else!

I was very impressed when I answered the phone and the first thing I heard was 'white rabbits' - thanks Louise!

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Drawing on Steamed Up Windows!

The next (and last) extra for February is Drawing on Steamed Up Windows!

So of course it was typical that the one day I needed the windows to be steamed up they weren't! I tried everything socially acceptable to get them steamed up and the end result was an office hot enough to bake in and a couple of colleagues on the other side of the window wondering why I was heavy breathing all over the window (of course from that distance it's possible they may have actually been wondering why I was licking the window.).

This reminded me of a book I thumbed through when my dads bookcase used to be in my room when I lived at home, it was all about graffiti and full of examples from all over the place. I was very impressed at the time to find that Harrogate had made it into the book with its contribution of 'We are the people our parents warned us about'. Not a 'woz ere' or '4 eva' in sight for the spa town of Harrogate (with a haitch)!

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International Do Nothing Day!

A year ago today (27th February) I was moving into my flat (and making a mental note to postpone International Do Nothing Day!) - time flies!

So what did I spend the day not doing?  I'd like to tell you that I spent it not getting up early, not walking to Auntie Betty's, not dusting, cleaning and hoovering for hours at Auntie Betty's and not walking back from Auntie Betty's but I can't lie!

Another mental note to self - in future don't not do all of that on an empty stomach and not enough fluids!  Halfway home I realised I couldn't walk straight and felt decidedly 'squiffy', by the time I got home I was shaking like a leaf and didn't think I'd be able to get up the stairs - all of which resulted in having to immediately eat the cakes leftover from yesterday for an instant sugar rush!  Not that keen on cake type stuff so then I just felt sick!

Had a good catch up with Webby over chip butties later though and made a resolution to properly do nothing one day soon, at some point, when I have time!

p.s. Happy Birthday Ray!

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Take Your Favourite Person Out for Cake!

It was time for another February extra so I thought I'd take Bernie out for cake - this wasn't a  freebie, I required her technical expertise to help me pick the best phone upgrade (by best I mean the one I could immediately sell on for the best price!). 

My relationship with phones is similar to my relationship with cars, for example...........................

Q. 'What kind of car has your sister got?'
A. 'A yellow one.'

Anyway we picked one and it's now up for sale on ebay, if nothing else I hope that it'll prove an end to my totally irrational ebaying fear and kick start my long overdue, and much needed, ebay 'hobby'!

So, job done, it was time to find cake!  We ended up at Cupcakes by Charley and went home with a box of double chocolate orange, chocolate sundae, chocolate honeycomb crunch and red velvet cakes!

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Chips We Love You and National Wear Red Day!

Yay!

Today was Chips We Love You and National Wear Red Day!

So I wore red at work (ok, so I did cover it up with a long black wrap thing most of the day!). 

Someone commented that I looked glamourous (the black wrap obviously made all the difference!), personally I felt like I'd rocked up to work in my pj's and hooker (or flamenco dancer) shoes!

The most exciting part of the day was the chip loving!  I had chips for lunch, just chips, with cheese and mayo (unfortunately I forgot to take my camera to lunch!) and came home and made my own oven chips (with a touch of salt, pepper and cajun seasoning)! 

As it was National Wear Red Day the chips got a generous portion of tomato sauce (thanks for the suggestion Ray!), they turned out alright but no one makes chips like my dad's chips!

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Stroke Soft Things!

Tuesday 22nd February - time for another February extra, Stroke Soft Things!

It was cold today so the office hot water bottle was on duty - complete with furry cover so I could stroke to my hearts content!  Well the alternative was to pick a colleague!

Then once I got home I went for the easy targets.....................................................................

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Dvd Marathon Day and Watch an Entire Box Set in One Sitting Day!

It was Dvd Mararthon Day which seemed an ideal opportunity to also acheive the extra Watch an Entire Box Set in One Sitting!

So, the duvet, popcorn, chocolate and left-over pizza came out again!  Kevin and Ray kindly leant me Series One of Downton Abbey, in total 6hrs and 4mins worth of viewing.  I missed this when it was on the tv but I suspect I'll be watching Series Two as soon as it starts!  I loved it - I thought it was absolutely beautiful.

I followed that with The King's Speech (I enjoyed it so much last time that I really didn't mind watching it again), then Mystic River (love this book and it's one of the few books I've seen reproduced well into a film - but what do you expect when Clint Eastwood directs it?!) and my final movie was dictated purely by running time - the first 90 minute movie I came across was The Clearing.

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Catch a Snowflake on Your Tongue!

I did it!  This was an extra for February and I was wondering if I'd manage to get this one done. 

Woke up to heavy snow on Saturday so donned the waterproofs and set off for the weekly walk to town for shopping, I waited til I was halfway across the Stray though before sticking my tongue out to catch snowflakes!  Then realised I should have brought my camera, the view was amazing.  Then realised it was a good job I hadn't brought my camera (and had put my tongue back in) when I fell over and broke my coat!

So, a quick diversion through town to buy a new coat (the sales were on so I actually did very well, got a £120 coat, with removable fleece, for £40 - thank god I had my credit card with me!) on the way to the supermarket then back home in the snow!  That was probably the most expensive weekly visit to Asda I've ever made!

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Old School Day!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In slang, old school can refer to anything that is from an earlier era. Depending on context and intent, the term can imply high regard or respect, or be a pejorative. The term often describes music, clothing, games or language and generally implies a vintage of at least 15-20 years.

More formally, old school may refer to:

In music

"Old School", a 1995 song by Tupac Shakur
"Old School", a song on the album ReliXIV by Overkill
"Old School", a 2006 single by Danger Doom
"Old School", a song on the album Friendly Fire by Analog Norð
"Old School" (Hedley song), a 2008 single by Hedley
Old school hip hop, also known as Old Skool
Ol' Skool, an American new jack swing group
Moog old school, an analogue synthesizer produced by Moog

In film, literature and art

Old School (film), a 2003 film
Old School (novel), a 2003 novel by Tobias Wolff
Old school (tattoo), a traditional tattoo style
Old Skool With Terry and Gita, a TV series on VH1

In gaming

Old school gaming, the hobby of playing and collecting older computer, video, and arcade games
OSRIC, Old School Reference and Index Compilation, a compilation of rules for fantasy gaming

Others

A professional wrestling aerial technique used by The Undertaker
A production made before the mid-1990s in demoscene
Koryū, translated as "old school" or "traditional school", a category of Japanese martial arts

How I celebrated Old School Day

So, I watched the 2003 film 'Old School' starring Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson and I was tempted to try the wrestling aerial technique used by the Undertaker but couldn't find a willing opponent!

And here's an picture of me at school (and as it's now 20 years ago it's cetainly 'old school' vintage!)!

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Meet Someone New Day!

Meet Someone New day - Thursday 17th February!

Working from home again which did limit the opportunities to meet, well, anybody really!

Had to pop out to the hospital though for physio, amazingly I actually didn't encounter anyone at all on the walk there and then was so peed off for the next hour and a half  spent wandering the streets of Starbeck (because the receptionist had booked the appointment for the following week - but don't worry, there's an opening in an hour and a half, would you like to go home and come back again, no, because it took me 45 minutes to walk here so there's not much point me going home and coming back again is there, do you want to go and get a coffee, that's a good idea, except that if I had money to be wasting on coffee I'd have got the bloody bus instead of walking!) that I think I scared anyone who might have been interested in meeting me away!

I was amused when the physio refered me to rehab though, obviously she meant physio rehabilitation but it still tickled me!

So, basically I've just waffled for a while to get to the point that, no, I didn't meet anyone new today!

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Send Lots of Valentine's!

Surprise, surprise - Monday 14th February was Send Lots of Valentine's (actually this was one of the extras for February but, seriously, at what other point in February would you do this?!)

I sent one, by post, I have no idea whether it was even received.  I did however make lots (examples of a few below) and sold them so, in a round about way, I was kind of responsible for the sending of lots!

My day started with a valentine text from Nadine, continued with a valentine card from Helen and Bill (with a lovely Dr Seuss quote - see below), lunch with Keith and then finished with a valentine call from Bernie and a call from Pops and Olive (also sending love). All of which led me to the conclusion that I'm luckier to have friends and family who love me rather than a man who's indifferent to me!

So,  it really is true - All You Need Is Love!

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Pottering Only Sunday!

Sunday 13th February is/was Pottering Only Sunday - after 3 late nights in a row it felt more like semi-concious Sunday to me!

Pops and Olive were over for the weekend and we all took a trip to visit Unc T and Anne (this meant a large portion of the day was spent nodding off in the back of a car), we had a lovely lunch at The Crown Inn at Sproxton (I thought my commitment to not nodding off at the table and keeping my face out of my plate was admirable).

It's just occured to me that, in some sort of weird time/space melding incident I've somehow managed today to do what I blogged about not really doing on Friday - I'll be getting an early night as soon as I've finished writing this and, as this is the second Sunday in a row that I've baked a Victoria Sponge to take to work, it appears I may just have a little bit of a trend going on!

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Get an Early Night and Start a Trend!

These are two of rhe extras for February so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and start a trend by getting an early night yesterday!

Ok, so it soooo didn't work out that way!  Despite getting a very late night the night before (and feeling pretty rough all day) it was still gone midnight by the time I went to bed - technically I didn't even go to bed as I'm on the sofa again cos Pops and Olive are staying for the weekend!

Pops suggested that I start a trend of lying and try to tell you that I did get an early night - I'm shocked and scandalised that my father encouraged me to lie!!

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Totally WOW Wednesday!

So, today was Totally WOW Wednesday!

(That confused you didn't it - I thought I'd break with recent tradition and publish in 'real time'.)

Well no one pissed me off today so..................WOW!


But I broke my favourite shoes and the only pair of brown shoes I own, which is no good if you spend half your time in autumnal coloured clothing so......................... not so WOW.

But have ordered new ones online (don't trust myself to go shopping in town!) so......................the WOW is back (although I'm a little sceptical about ordering shoes online but we'll see!)!

Looking back at my recent posts (and even just today) I am starting to wonder if maybe I'm a little unhinged lately - I seem to be either Angry Woman (hear me roar) or Crazy Lady (hear me giggle manically in the corner), I think I'd like to aim for Away With The Fairies Lady for a while and retreat somewhere nice and fluffy (hear me not at all - a relief for some I'm sure).

Speaking of nice and fluffy, this was a bit of a wow moment from Dawn......................here..........if you don't like fluffy silver kitten things this is not the link for you.

Pops sent me a joke today....................
Yesterday I was at my local CO-OP in Denbigh buying a large bag of Purina dog food for my loyal pet and was in the checkout queue when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had an elephant? So, since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn’t, because I ended up in hospital last time, but that I'd lost 2 stones before I woke up in intensive care with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again.
(I have to mention here that practically everyone in queue was now enthralled with my story.)
Horrified, she asked me if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me... I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's arse and a car hit us both.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard.
I 'm now banned from the Co-op.
Better watch what you ask retired people
They have all the time in the world to think of daft things to say.

Of course, some of us don't need all the time in the world to think of daft things to say, it just comes naturally!

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Try a New Flavour Day!

Monday 7th February was Try a New Flavour Day!

I tried a new office - does that count?  A record breaking one week after the decision was made the team moved into our nice new office (which actually means I'll be all alone for about 90% of the time in the office!)!

The other new flavour I tried was this.................

(which is one of these) in this

with this

which resulted in this

Licking the melting chocolate stuff off the spoon was good, never been that keen on hot chocolate though - should have had the milk cooler so it melted slower!

It could almost have been experimental cooking day again (already looking forward to next years theme - battering things that probably shouldn't be battered!)!

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Bake a Cake Day!

It was Bake a Cake Day yesterday (Sunday 6th February)!

So I baked a cake!

Very impressed with my new sandwich tin - two would have been better though, d'oh!

Then I had to figure out how to get it to work in one piece (sorry Boss, you missed out again!) cos what am I going to do with a whole cake when I'm not particularly keen on cake (Iknow, I know, there's something wrong with me - several things actually!)?!

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Pottering Only Sunday (on Saturday)!

Sunday 6th February (today) is supposed to be Pottering Only Sunday - and Saturday 5th February (yesterday) was supposed to be Bake a Cake Day!

Due to the weather and the lack of any motivation I've had to swap these around - I didn't go to the shop for my cake ingredients!

So I had Pottering Only ---day yesterday, this involved breaking into the cellar with the plumber so he could check whether there's a gas leak (there isn't), watching Love in The Time of Cholera, Capote, Legends of the Fall and Freedom Writers, knitting and making the first jewellery I've made in what must be a couple of years!

Then just as I was about to pack up and go to bed I remembered that I had to write this ready to publish in the morning (before I walk to town to get cake ingredients!) and I'm including a couple of photos of the rainbow on Friday!

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Bobble Hat it Up Day!

I decided that yesterday (Wednesday 2nd Feb) would be Bobble Hat it Up Day!

This is one of the extra's for February (see below)

and yesterday seemed as good an opportunity to do it as any - unfortunately Linda forgot her bobble hat so I was the lone bobbler!

Linda did bring her hat in the next day................................

I even wore mine on the walk to work - and it was starting to get light, I have proof!

The hat did almost prompt a £60 credit card splurge at River Island at lunchtime though when I saw..............

and

and

I had to sternly tell myself to put it all down (virtually - it was online) :-(

Then it was time to attempt to get in to see The King's Speech again (when Ray suggested I walk home with him I don't think the invite was meant to extend to my bobble hat!) - success!  We got in and it was well worth the wait, loved it!

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